Damon Hill Watching the Wheels
Discussion
RoadRunner220 said:
Looking for another F1 autobiography to read after finishing Webber's a couple of weeks ago. Based on the comments in this thread, and the reviews on Amazon, I think I'll get this ordered.
Its a really good book, I've just finished reading it, unusual to find such an insightful book (a lot of motor sport books tend to be very 1 dimensional with the usual me, me, me, I won this I won that etc - this book is nothing like that). One of the best motor sport books I've read.visitinglondon said:
Don't understand all the love for this guy - other than his Britishness ...
Average driver, who got into F1 on the back of his name and lucked out by being in the best car and then only just managed to win.
And seems to have moaned about it ever since
ignorance is blissAverage driver, who got into F1 on the back of his name and lucked out by being in the best car and then only just managed to win.
And seems to have moaned about it ever since
visitinglondon said:
Don't understand all the love for this guy - other than his Britishness ...
Average driver, who got into F1 on the back of his name and lucked out by being in the best car and then only just managed to win.
And seems to have moaned about it ever since
And the highlight of your career is ?Average driver, who got into F1 on the back of his name and lucked out by being in the best car and then only just managed to win.
And seems to have moaned about it ever since
visitinglondon said:
Don't understand all the love for this guy - other than his Britishness ...
Average driver, who got into F1 on the back of his name and lucked out by being in the best car and then only just managed to win.
And seems to have moaned about it ever since
IMO his story is fascinating; he more than earned his success and any 'love' from enthusiasts. He was team-mates and/or raced against (and on occasion beat fair and square) some of the greatest drivers in F1 history: Senna, Prost, Mansell, Schumacher. For me, that alone validates his credentials to write his autobiography. You can add to that giving an F1 team it's first win (very nearly twice). He was also F1 World Champion in an era of some big changes in the sport. By the nature of the sport itself, he obviously wasn't the first or last to win a championship in the best car. Given that he always seemed to be the underdog, and had to contend with the aftermath of Senna's death yet still achieved his goal in the end makes his story interesting, and that's without begining to consider his family background.Average driver, who got into F1 on the back of his name and lucked out by being in the best car and then only just managed to win.
And seems to have moaned about it ever since
A great book and I don't understand why blinkered people do not give him his proper credit. He showed huge strength in leading Williams after Senna's death, went head to head with Schumacher at his peak and beat Villeneuve who was no slouch in his first season either.
Many world champions have won against far lesser challenges and had a relatively easy run in comparison.
Many world champions have won against far lesser challenges and had a relatively easy run in comparison.
dr_gn said:
IMO his story is fascinating; he more than earned his success and any 'love' from enthusiasts. He was team-mates and/or raced against (and on occasion beat fair and square) some of the greatest drivers in F1 history: Senna, Prost, Mansell, Schumacher. For me, that alone validates his credentials to write his autobiography. You can add to that giving an F1 team it's first win (very nearly twice). He was also F1 World Champion in an era of some big changes in the sport. By the nature of the sport itself, he obviously wasn't the first or last to win a championship in the best car. Given that he always seemed to be the underdog, and had to contend with the aftermath of Senna's death yet still achieved his goal in the end makes his story interesting, and that's without begining to consider his family background.
A lot of people seem to take a great delight in running Damon down and it's probably true to say he was a bit fortunate to land himself a race seat with Williams (it would surely have been Mansell with Prost in 1993 had Williams not made a complete hash of the negotiations with Nigel!). Having said that, he capitalised on the opportunity - which he couldn't have done without a fair amount of ability - and always comes across to me a very decent, genuine, bloke. I thoroughly enjoyed reading his book; the only thing I'd take issue with are his thoughts on the likely cause of Senna's accident but that's something there'll probably never be a consensus on!
davidd said:
tobinen said:
Just arrived for £4.90 from eBay (though in an Amazon box) so this week's reading sorted.
Ross Brawn's will be next.
I'm about half way through the RB book, interesting but so far not as engaging as Damon.Ross Brawn's will be next.
D
All this Sunzi crap and 'rhythms and processes'. Reads like an American management guru's book in parts.
Ross, give us a book that really tells us what went on !
Thanks for bringing this to my attention - it is a fantastic book which brings up a lot of things I think many of us can relate to... Or at least British people who have been to LSB, play guitar, have family members with special needs and are really interested in 90's F1 - did he write it for me?
I'd like to add to the above that it is also humorous at points to which was appreciated.
Is Webber's book worth a read also?
I'd like to add to the above that it is also humorous at points to which was appreciated.
Is Webber's book worth a read also?
enjo said:
Thanks for bringing this to my attention - it is a fantastic book which brings up a lot of things I think many of us can relate to... Or at least British people who have been to LSB, play guitar, have family members with special needs and are really interested in 90's F1 - did he write it for me?
I'd like to add to the above that it is also humorous at points to which was appreciated.
Is Webber's book worth a read also?
Yes, it is. I read it when it was brand new. Could get it second hand now, I guess.I'd like to add to the above that it is also humorous at points to which was appreciated.
Is Webber's book worth a read also?
I'm not a Red Bull fan but there was some interesting stuff about Red Bull and Seb V.
Definitely worth a read though.
The Webber book is , as racing driver biographies go, not a bad read. You won't learn too much you didn't know already about his F1 career , but as ever it is the early stuff , and the personal content which elevates it from similar works . The Johnny Herbert book should be fascinating but is dreadful, massively in need of a robust edit. The core story is there, and its text might just work as a podcast but as a book it is dire.
Damon Hill's book is unlike any racer biog I have ever read in style , content and narrative arc . The only one I'd put in the same league was Speed with Style by Peter Revson .
Damon Hill's book is unlike any racer biog I have ever read in style , content and narrative arc . The only one I'd put in the same league was Speed with Style by Peter Revson .
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