Grand Prix: An Illustrated History of Formula 1

by Will Buxton, Stefano Domenicali (Foreword by)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Gorgeous to look at and engaging to read, this is everything F1, all in one place.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A thrilling illustrated history of Formula 1 racing, from its fascinating origins and inner workings to the top drivers of the twentieth century and today, by a celebrated motorsports broadcaster and star of Formula 1: Drive to Survive

“A valuable and welcome addition to the library of any lifelong F1 fan, as well as for any curious individual new to the world of F1.”—Mario Andretti
 
Over its seventy-plus years of history, Formula 1 racing has grown from a niche motorsport with just a few events per season into a global phenomenon followed by more than a billion fans. With just twenty drivers competing at speeds of over 220 miles per hour on more than twenty of the world’s most glamorous and challenging racetracks, Formula 1 is the ultimate test of machine and humankind. To become a champion means to be counted among the most elite athletes the world has ever known.

As the lead commentator on Netflix’s breakout series Formula 1: Drive to Survive, Will Buxton has emerged as the most prominent journalist covering the sport for the new generation of fans. Grand Prix chronicles the past, present, and future of F1 in an engaging and easily digestible format. You’ll be introduced to historical heroes, such as Formula 1’s very first world champion, Giuseppe Farina, through every decade and every champion of the sport, including the iconic Lewis Hamilton and reigning champion Max Verstappen. You’ll meet the drivers these great champions did battle with and discover the teams they raced for and the tracks they mastered. Packed with incredible stories and epic races, this captivating collection also contains features on every aspect of the sport today, along with how modern teams operate from their factories to race weekend garage setups, car design, the development of the sport through the lens of automotive evolution and safety, the art of the pitstop, and the future of motor racing.

Filled with immersive and engaging information with illustrations as dynamic and bold as the sport itself, Grand Prix is the definitive introduction to the world's fastest sport.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781984863249
Publisher:	Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed
Publication date:	08/13/2024
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Will Buxton has been actively involved in the highest levels of international motor racing for over two decades. His career started at the turn of the millennium in print journalism, before a three-year stint running the communications department for the GP2 Series. His return to journalism coincided with an opportunity to try his hand at commentary, from where an offer arose to become the F1 pit reporter for the United States. After a decade on American television, he joined Formula 1’s in-house broadcast team as their new push into the digital domain was launched under Liberty Media. Known today around the world for his work on F1TV and the global Netflix sensation Formula 1: Drive to Survive, he is one of the most recognized and respected voices in the sport, and in 2023 reported on his 600th motor race and attended his 300th Grand Prix.

Davi Augusto is an award-winning illustrator who has worked with global publications and brands such as the Financial Times, Wired, Rolling Stone, Adidas, Volkswagen, and more. He is the recipient of the Latin American Design Award and is currently based in São Paulo, Brazil.

Read an Excerpt

What is Formula 1?

For more than seventy years, Formula 1 has been the pinnacle of global motorsport, the ultimate test of machine and humankind. With over twenty races on some of the most challenging circuits ever built, in some of the most glamorous locations around the world, competing at this level is seen as the zenith of a racing driver’s career. To win in this sport is an almost impossibly difficult task. To tally enough success to be crowned champion is therefore to have your name placed alongside the very greatest this sport has ever known.

Formula 1 is high-speed, high-stakes racing. Drivers do battle at over 200 mph, just millimeters apart, moments from disaster, combining incredible skill with awe-inspiring bravery in a singular quest to prove that they are the very best on their day and in their game. Their journey to the pinnacle of racing begins in childhood, their talent developed from go-karts, through junior open wheel careers, to the very top of the sport. As their competitive instincts sharpen, their desire and hunger to win against all odds and against all challengers becomes an intrinsic part of their personalities. Over time, through a combination of ability, experience, defeat, victory, perseverance, and prowess, their goal is to become the ultimate driver.

At their command are the fastest and most advanced open wheel racing cars of all time. These rocket ships on wheels are comprised of thousands of unique parts, designed and manufactured specifically for racing by a team of thousands of people, whose own expertise is as essential to winning a race as is the craft of the racer behind the wheel. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent in the pursuit of glory. Decisions during a race are made in the blink of an eye, from the driver in the heat of battle to the strategist calling the race-winning shots and the pit crew servicing the cars and sending them on their way in mere seconds. Those who succeed know that on their day, and in their moment, there was no car as fast, no team as regimented, no driver as good.

The challenge, always, is to win. And to keep winning. And for those who don’t, to fight, to catch, to overhaul, and to then begin their own era of domination by taking the two biggest prizes in motorsport: the Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship and the Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship. But what does it take to become the best? Who are the greatest of all time? How has this sport become the global phenomenon that it is, and what does its future hold?

In this book, you will discover all that Formula 1 is today and all that went before, from the story of how this incredible championship has evolved to the teams who made the greatest cars of their generation. On this decade-by-decade journey through the history of the sport, you’ll be introduced to every champion the sport has crowned. And while I’d love to write about every driver this sport has known, time and space sadly won’t permit such a luxury. Instead, and for every decade, you’ll also read about one unique racer who I believe had all the skill but never won the championship, along with a handful of notable drivers of each generation. And we’ll take a step back in time to relive some of the greatest races the sport has ever seen. This is where technical genius meets sporting excellence.

This is where dreamers become heroes and where icons are forged in the white heat of pure competition.

This is the pinnacle of motor racing. This is Formula 1.

Editorial Reviews

Who needs Google when you have Will Buxton. The most comprehensive, all-encompassing book on F1 to date. A joy to peruse.”—Brad Pitt
 
“As someone who knows a thing or two about speed, I can attest that this book captures the essence of what makes Formula 1 so captivating—it’s a must-read for anyone who shares my love for the rush of going fast.”—Lindsey Vonn, Olympic Gold Medalist

“In this carefully researched book about the yesterdays and todays of F1, Will Buxton breaks it down decade by decade. He’s got every ingredient in this book, creating a valuable and welcome addition to the library of any lifelong F1 fan, as well as for any curious individual new to the world of F1.”—Mario Andretti, 1978 Formula 1 world champion
 
“Will Buxton is a passionate observer and interpreter of the amazing world of Formula 1 and brings color and clarity to fans both old and new. Grand Prix is everything you want and need to know about F1.”—Jerry Bruckheimer, film producer

“F1 is one of the greatest and most thrilling sports in the world and Will Buxton has been instrumental in bringing it to a new generation. This book takes you back in time, honoring the champions we grew up with who made the sport what it is today!”—Gordon Ramsay, chef

“Will Buxton’s insights on F1 history are second to none. Will is regarded as one of the best journalists in F1 and he has the privilege of working with the drivers, engineers, and owners of all the teams. As an F1 superfan myself, I felt as if I knew everything there was to know about the sport. But this book gave me so much more.”—Alfonso Ribeiro, actor and TV host

“With Grand Prix, Will Buxton has provided every F1 fan, including myself, the ultimate companion to enjoying one of the fastest and most fascinating sports on the planet.”—Joseph Kosinski, film director

“Pride. Power. Passion. These combined create perfection in Formula 1. I love this game! And I love this book.”—Patrice Evra, footballer and entrepreneur

“The guy who got so many of us hooked on Formula 1 today has turned his attention to getting us hooked on everything that got us to this point. Grand Prix introduced me to so many stories I never knew, and so many races I want to go back and watch.”—Jannik Sinner, Grand Slam tennis champion

“There’s nothing like the buzz of a Grand Prix and nothing like the passion of its incredible fans. Will Buxton has played a huge role in telling the modern story of F1 to us all, but here he takes us on a journey to the past. It’s the ultimate guide to the greatest sport.”—Martin Garrix, DJ

“Will Buxton brings his boyish enthusiasm and depth of knowledge together in this fascinating, exciting, and completely approachable book on Formula 1. It’s a must for all Formula 1 fans.”—Tom Kerridge, chef patron

“I’m a huge believer that sport is for everyone. No one should ever feel left out just because they’ve only just got into it. Will Buxton is knowledgeable and authoritative but always welcoming of new people who might fall in love with his favorite sport. This book is perfect for newcomers who want to take their F1 obsession to the next level, and for the die-hards.”—Greg James, broadcaster and author

“Having been lucky enough to share F1 pitlanes and paddocks of the world with Will Buxton, I know how much he loves the sport and the history that goes with it. This is an invaluable book for newcomers and established fans of the greatest sport on the planet. Will, with his love of the sport, is the perfect guy to guide you through it.”—Jake Humphrey, broadcaster

From the Publisher