F1 Books You've Read/Reading...
Discussion
Recently bought David Coulthard's new book, 'The Winning Formula'. Strictly speaking, it is supposed to be about management and running an efficient organisation. He uses his experiences of F1 to illustrate his points. Trouble is, the book uses F1 and mixed in, are his thoughts on management and I'm not sure it works. The sort of book to buy cheaply second hand, unfortunately. Shame because I enjoyed his biography and I really enjoy the C4 presentation of F1.
Vocal Minority said:
Harji said:
Senna V Prost - The lenghts these two went to out psych each other hurt my brain.
Decent book - sympathetic and balanced, rather than the Senna (good) v Prost (bad) nonsense that seems to be common currency these days. Like the time James and Niki went out to a party, Niki left very late with James still there. They both flew out the next day to test, James slept on the flight. Niki’s car was crap to drive so he didn’t bother driving it. James went missing on the track, everyone was worried, the Marshall’s found him in his car engine off with him asleep!
Just finished 'The Perfect Car' about John Barnard.
Worth reading. I started following F1 in the 80's so I found most of it relevant. Interesting insights into Ron Dennis and Tom Walkinshaw. Confirmed the labyrinthian politics at Ferrari, pre-Jean Todt et al.
I did not appreciate just how influential Bernard was.
Doesn't come across as the easiest of people to work with but, I'm guessing, that's part of the reason he changed things so much.
All in all, I'd recommend it.
Worth reading. I started following F1 in the 80's so I found most of it relevant. Interesting insights into Ron Dennis and Tom Walkinshaw. Confirmed the labyrinthian politics at Ferrari, pre-Jean Todt et al.
I did not appreciate just how influential Bernard was.
Doesn't come across as the easiest of people to work with but, I'm guessing, that's part of the reason he changed things so much.
All in all, I'd recommend it.
One I read years ago is 'Race without end' by Maurice Hamilton, it charts the Jordan team through a tough second season in the sport in 1992 when they ran Yamaha engines.
Its the only book I've ever read twice, but then I was a Jordan fanatic at the time, probably still would be if they had stayed in the sport.
Its the only book I've ever read twice, but then I was a Jordan fanatic at the time, probably still would be if they had stayed in the sport.
Mr_Thyroid said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Read Jenson Button's autobiography on holiday this year. Terrible.
What makes it bad? Just interested in your opinion, I haven't read it and don't have much interest in reading it.
entropy said:
Recently found this book at a secondhand book shop for a fiver, spotted at a stall at Silverstone Classic selling for £40
Just missed out from being a kid at the time and a glorious and fascinating era - happy days!
I've got that ... good book must dig it out for another read.Just missed out from being a kid at the time and a glorious and fascinating era - happy days!
n3il123 said:
entropy said:
Recently found this book at a secondhand book shop for a fiver, spotted at a stall at Silverstone Classic selling for £40
Just missed out from being a kid at the time and a glorious and fascinating era - happy days!
I've got that ... good book must dig it out for another read.Just missed out from being a kid at the time and a glorious and fascinating era - happy days!
Mr_Thyroid said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Read Jenson Button's autobiography on holiday this year. Terrible.
What makes it bad? Just interested in your opinion, I haven't read it and don't have much interest in reading it.
He's such a likeable character but I'm sorry, when he gets to the part about his contractual wrangling that was pretty much the only interesting part of his F1 career (apart from winning the F1 WDC) he basically says "I won't bore you with the details". Won't bore us with the details? That's the whole f
king point of reading an autobiography you twerp!Unless of course, you're thoroughly interested in (I'm paraphrasing) "So, 2007 was a bit of a crap year, the car was terrible and my team mate could get more out of it than I could. Had quite a good race in [insert random country] but that was about it". Next chapter...
ribiero said:
Finished "No Angel" by Tom Bower about Benie Ecclestone, good read.
Worth a read for anyone who has or had a view of what BCE is/was all about, after reading this book it will leave you in little doubt of how toxic he was/is (thankfully the little **** has been ousted by Liberty Media) 
yoshisdad said:
Recently bought David Coulthard's new book, 'The Winning Formula'. Strictly speaking, it is supposed to be about management and running an efficient organisation. He uses his experiences of F1 to illustrate his points. Trouble is, the book uses F1 and mixed in, are his thoughts on management and I'm not sure it works. The sort of book to buy cheaply second hand, unfortunately. Shame because I enjoyed his biography and I really enjoy the C4 presentation of F1.
I just picked up a copy for 50p in my local charity shop. Sounds like it might be going back there after I've finished reading it.I've just finished reading my christmas gift of Newey's 'How to Build . . .'
There will be spoilers.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. However, I have some criticisms.
The copy editing is poor. The average was more than one each page. I think there's no excuse for that in a professionally published, £17 book. Rather disappointing.
There was no great insight into Newey. We got a bit about his early life and his failed marriages, but that was all. I don't think I learned much about him that I didn't know already. Some things were a surprise. For instance, I read at the time that Hill leaving Williams was the reason Newey left. This seemed to conflict with what little I knew about Newey and was, I thought, a positive for him. The book reveals a more nuanced reason, and one Newey-centred.
I had heard that he was no great fan of Dennis, but some of the comments and criticisms seemed a bit barbed, especially, as admitted, Dennis told him what would happen at Jaguar. Newey went back on his promise to Jaguar and what Dennis warned him of took place. You'd expect a thank-you. There's a description of what Dennis once said. The actual event is on YT and doesn't quite tally with what Newey heard. OK, so he's got it in for Dennis, but that was rather slack. There're misleading 'interpretations' of some other events as well. A bit of a shame.
I'm partially colour-blind but I don't think that's got any effect on being rather bored by the untold number of references to the grey McL buildings.
How to build a car was more or less what the book was about, and as it was the sub-title, I suppose I should not complain. That bit was interesting. In fact, fascinating. His dislike of Ferrari and Mosley comes over as well. His revelations on the machinations at Williams now make me doubt Head's return will not save the team.
Some aspects of his life were rather strange. During a very busy time in his life, with his work dominating his time, he took a 10 day holiday with wife and some kids, and spent most of it designing a new car in his hotel room. His marriage broke up and the thought that went through my mind was, 'What did you expect?' A simplification I know, but still.
I think the book is worth the money and I'm glad I've read it. It's one for motor racing fans in general and F1 nerds in particular. Don't expect insights though. I'm irritated by the literals and the other errors. I expected more, but was happy enough with what I got. It didn't make me like the bloke though. To an extent, just the reverse in fact, which is a shame.
However, I don't mean to put you off the book. If you love F1, it is great reading.
There will be spoilers.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. However, I have some criticisms.
The copy editing is poor. The average was more than one each page. I think there's no excuse for that in a professionally published, £17 book. Rather disappointing.
There was no great insight into Newey. We got a bit about his early life and his failed marriages, but that was all. I don't think I learned much about him that I didn't know already. Some things were a surprise. For instance, I read at the time that Hill leaving Williams was the reason Newey left. This seemed to conflict with what little I knew about Newey and was, I thought, a positive for him. The book reveals a more nuanced reason, and one Newey-centred.
I had heard that he was no great fan of Dennis, but some of the comments and criticisms seemed a bit barbed, especially, as admitted, Dennis told him what would happen at Jaguar. Newey went back on his promise to Jaguar and what Dennis warned him of took place. You'd expect a thank-you. There's a description of what Dennis once said. The actual event is on YT and doesn't quite tally with what Newey heard. OK, so he's got it in for Dennis, but that was rather slack. There're misleading 'interpretations' of some other events as well. A bit of a shame.
I'm partially colour-blind but I don't think that's got any effect on being rather bored by the untold number of references to the grey McL buildings.
How to build a car was more or less what the book was about, and as it was the sub-title, I suppose I should not complain. That bit was interesting. In fact, fascinating. His dislike of Ferrari and Mosley comes over as well. His revelations on the machinations at Williams now make me doubt Head's return will not save the team.
Some aspects of his life were rather strange. During a very busy time in his life, with his work dominating his time, he took a 10 day holiday with wife and some kids, and spent most of it designing a new car in his hotel room. His marriage broke up and the thought that went through my mind was, 'What did you expect?' A simplification I know, but still.
I think the book is worth the money and I'm glad I've read it. It's one for motor racing fans in general and F1 nerds in particular. Don't expect insights though. I'm irritated by the literals and the other errors. I expected more, but was happy enough with what I got. It didn't make me like the bloke though. To an extent, just the reverse in fact, which is a shame.
However, I don't mean to put you off the book. If you love F1, it is great reading.
Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff