What F1 biography should I read?
Discussion
gl20 said:
I should probably put this in the heretic thread, but I think the Damon Hill book is somewhat overrated. Bought it off the back of all the recommendations on here and perhaps my expectations were set too high, so just managing the OP’s!
I think thats fair, its good, not "I couldnt put it down good" but still good.Hi
I am surprised it has been mentioned yet but the best book for me is Jackie Stewart's bio
So interesting regarding his racing career but everything he did during and after in business
Very inspiring
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2331618
I am surprised it has been mentioned yet but the best book for me is Jackie Stewart's bio
So interesting regarding his racing career but everything he did during and after in business
Very inspiring
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2331618
Flat Out, Flat Broke: Formula 1 The Hard Way by Perry McCarthy
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17318185-flat-...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17318185-flat-...
Damon Hill's book is that rarest of things , a book by a Grand Prix driver which goes far beyond the context of F1 . Clever, self aware and beautifully written. A book which comes close is by the coolest guy to sit in an F1 car, the late Peter Revson - Speed with Style .
David Tremayne writes beautifully and his book on Jim Clark is definitive. As is The Lost Generation , about Tony Brise , Tom Pryce and Roger Williamson , all of whom died before realising their potential . I'd seen all three drivers in action and the book reduced me to tears.
Anything by Richard Williams is a treat and although my real interest in F1 stems from the late 60s his books on Stirling Moss and (especially ) Richard Seaman are superb .
Lauda's books are excellent , especially his first -possibly because the Ferrari 312 T is so bloody gorgeous . The Art and Technicalities of Grand Prix Driving . Forget Maurice Hamilton's biography (a disappointment - skimpy and rushed ) and try Jon Saltinstall's terrific Niki Lauda , HIs Competition History .
Two left field books about lesser known drivers are Richard Jenkins' fascinating books on Richie Ginther and Mike Spence .
David Tremayne writes beautifully and his book on Jim Clark is definitive. As is The Lost Generation , about Tony Brise , Tom Pryce and Roger Williamson , all of whom died before realising their potential . I'd seen all three drivers in action and the book reduced me to tears.
Anything by Richard Williams is a treat and although my real interest in F1 stems from the late 60s his books on Stirling Moss and (especially ) Richard Seaman are superb .
Lauda's books are excellent , especially his first -possibly because the Ferrari 312 T is so bloody gorgeous . The Art and Technicalities of Grand Prix Driving . Forget Maurice Hamilton's biography (a disappointment - skimpy and rushed ) and try Jon Saltinstall's terrific Niki Lauda , HIs Competition History .
Two left field books about lesser known drivers are Richard Jenkins' fascinating books on Richie Ginther and Mike Spence .
As others have said, Hill's book is very good. Not so much about him vs Schumacher and more how on earth he ever ended up in an F1 car at all.
I really enjoyed Jackie Stewarts' until it got to where his career ended where it felt like a list of name dropping & became a chore. Can't imagine getting a dyslexia diagnosis so late though!
I really enjoyed Jackie Stewarts' until it got to where his career ended where it felt like a list of name dropping & became a chore. Can't imagine getting a dyslexia diagnosis so late though!
If you fancy going a little more old school you could look for a copy of Race without end by Maurice Hamilton, not a biography as such but a record of the Jordan team in their difficult 1992 season with Yamaha engines. Well written and a great insight into the life of a small team at that time.
Also I found Adrian Newey's book fascinating but I do have an engineering mindset.
Also I found Adrian Newey's book fascinating but I do have an engineering mindset.
cjm said:
If you want something techy then this is pretty great, he comes across as a pretty difficult guy but had some great ideas that are still used in F1.
The Perfect Car: The story of John Barnard
His Very modest advances that are still used include carbon fibre tubs and the semi-automatic gearbox!!The Perfect Car: The story of John Barnard
This is a much much better book than Adrian Newey’s, much more technical too.
Edited by Simes205 on Friday 5th August 22:58
Brundles book was good, he picked certain races and went through them, rather than a strict by the year type thing
Johnny Herbert’s- that fact he even got back into an F1 car was amazing- very sobering read
Damon’s was good as mentioned
Kimi’s was odd in its phrasing, but that could be down to translation issues!
Johnny Herbert’s- that fact he even got back into an F1 car was amazing- very sobering read
Damon’s was good as mentioned
Kimi’s was odd in its phrasing, but that could be down to translation issues!
Edited by wibble cb on Saturday 6th August 02:59
For a slightly more left-field option, I enjoyed Colin Chapman: The Man and His Cars
Karl Ludvigsen's book on Chapman is also wonderful. Colin Chapman - Inside the Innovator .
Anecdote alert - I interviewed Clive Chapman at Classic Team Lotus a few years ago . I had never sought an autograph before or since , but Colin Chapman was a god to me . I asked Clive if he'd sign the book - and he did, but with a propelling pencil . Curious , I thought , until Clive said 'That was one of dad's drawing pencils ..' Cue shiver down spine .
Anecdote alert - I interviewed Clive Chapman at Classic Team Lotus a few years ago . I had never sought an autograph before or since , but Colin Chapman was a god to me . I asked Clive if he'd sign the book - and he did, but with a propelling pencil . Curious , I thought , until Clive said 'That was one of dad's drawing pencils ..' Cue shiver down spine .
coppice said:
David Tremayne writes beautifully and his book on Jim Clark is definitive.
I've got that - must read it sometime!Jim Clark fans should get a copy of his race mechanic Cedric Selzer's book. A slim volume but great insight into what it was like at the F1 coal face in those days.
https://cedricselzer.jimdofree.com/
Proceeds go to Marie Curie Cancer Trust.
Also Eric Dymock's biography of Clark.
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