The former wartime airfield at Silverstone is Britain’s most important motor racing circuit and is best known as the home of the British Grand Prix, which was first staged there in 1948. This magnificent book tells Silverstone’s entire history, covering the great races, influential characters and unforgettable events, as well as the evolution of the circuit itself. The book is profusely illustrated, including plenty of rare photographs that have not been published before. Produced with the full assistance of the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) and Silverstone Circuits, this is the last word on the history of the much-loved ‘home of British motor racing’.
The Brands Hatch circuit in Kent is a motorsport mecca, and was once the busiest motorsport venue in the world. Scene of many classic Formula One and sports car races, as well as numerous other international, national and club events, the circuit is currently undergoing a renaissance under the ownership of Jonathan Palmer’s MotorSport Vision company. Here is the definitive history of Brands Hatch, featuring the events, cars, motorcycles and characters that have made it Britain’s best-loved motor racing circuit.
Lewis Hamilton’s explosive arrival on the Formula 1 scene has made front-page headlines. In My Story, for the first time Lewis opens up about his stunning debut season, including the gripping climax to the 2007 F1 World Championship, as well as his dad Anthony, his home life and his early years. The only book with the real story, as told by Lewis.
The formative years of the 1950s are explored in this fourth installment of Evro's decade-by-decade series covering all Formula 1 cars and teams. When the World Championship was first held in 1950, red Italian cars predominated, from Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati, and continued to do so for much of the period. But by the time the decade closed, green British cars were in their ascendancy, first Vanwall and then rear-engined Cooper playing the starring roles, and BRM and Lotus having walk-on parts. As for drivers, one stood out above the others, Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio, becoming World Champion five times. Much of the fascination of this era also lies in its numerous privateers and also-rans, all of which receive their due coverage in this complete work. Year-by-year treatment covers each season in fascinating depth, running through the teams -- and their various cars -- in order of importance. Alfa Romeo's supercharged 11⁄2-litre cars dominated the first two years, with titles won by Giuseppe Farina (1950) and Fangio (1951). The new marque of Ferrari steamrollered the opposition in two seasons run to Formula 2 rules (1952-53), Alberto Ascari becoming champion both times, and the same manufacturer took two more crowns with Fangio (1956) and Mike Hawthorn (1958). Maserati's fabulous 250F, the decade's most significant racing car, propelled Fangio to two more of his five championships (1954 and 1957). German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz stepped briefly into Formula 1 (1954-55) and won almost everything with Fangio and up-and-coming Stirling Moss. Green finally beat red when the Vanwalls, driven by Moss and Tony Brooks, won the inaugural constructors' title (1958). Then along came Cooper, rear-engine pioneers, to signpost Formula 1's future when Jack Brabham became World Champion (1959).
The story of a Grand Prix formula largely overlooked due to the perception that the cars were underpowered and hence unspectacular. This perception ignores the significant technical developments that took place, the domination achieved by British race-car constructors and the rise of British drivers Jim Clark, Graham Hill and John Surtees.
Go behind the scenes to explore the history, racing, celebrity fans, and after hours of racing's most glamorous and prestigious round in the F1 championship with The Life Monaco Grand Prix. Monaco sponsored its first race in 1929 and the circuit has been part of the Formula 1 series since 1950. Conducted with the patronage of Monaco’s royal family, its beautiful street-circuit has made Monaco the most glamorous setting of any F1 race. But the classic architecture and high-profile spectators belie a course notorious for its complexity and challenges. With no safety barriers until 1969, drivers have twice plunged into the harbor among the spectating yachts. Off the circuit, Monaco is a 24-hour spectacle of expensive boats, high-profile parties, celebrity F1 fans, penthouse spectating, and high-roller lifestyle. From the Monte Carlo casino (integral to numerous James Bond films) to top clubs like Amber Lounge, Jimmy’z, and The Black Lounge to F1 racers’ luxury homes to the takeoffs and landings of countless private jets, Monaco represents the epitome of the jet-setting lifestyle long associated with the F1 circus. From the first Grand Prix in 1929 to today's star-studded event, The Life Monaco Grand Prix takes the reader on a full lap of this prestigious race.
This long-standing reference work is rightly regarded as the 'Wisden' of Formula 1. The meticulously researched data contains everything the enthusiast needs to know about Formula One events and personalities, from the first World Championship Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1950, to the end of the 2005 Formula One season. Every driver, team, circuit and race is scrutinized in detail, providing an invaluable and accurate reference source. From the reason for Lance Macklin's retirement from the 1954 French Grand Prix to the full record of Michael Schumacher's career, every imaginable statistic is included.
A close-up look at the fastest cars in the world and the drivers who race them, follow Formula One's fascinating story. The concept of aerodynamics is also broken down into basic terms.
This is the story of Niki Luada's racing career. Climbing the ladder: starting against his family’s wishes with a Mini in 1968, Niki Lauda drove a Formula Vee Kaimann in 1969 and had a disastrous Formula 3 season with McNamara in 1970 before switching to a Porsche sports car; with progress stalling, he took out a loan to buy a Formula 2 seat at March in 1971. Faltering in Formula 1: he debuted with March at the 1971 Austrian Grand Prix, then stayed with the team in 1972; he moved to BRM for 1973, still paying his way with further borrowing and some income from racing touring cars — but in all this time he had only one points-scoring Formula 1 finish. The Ferrari years: finally Lauda fulfilled his promise after receiving the call to Maranello, winning the World Championship twice in his four years there, in 1975 and 1977, but he left after tensions with the team arose in his final season. The Brabham years: Lauda famously won the 1978 Swedish Grand Prix in Brabham's 'fan car.' but thereafter the team’s competitiveness declined and he retired at the end of 1979, tired of driving round in circles’ and focused instead on his new airline, Lauda Air. The McLaren years: tempted by a salary of unprecedented size, Lauda returned in 1982 after a two-year absence, silenced doubters by winning his third race, and in 1984 secured his third World Championship; at the end of 1985, with a career tally of 25 Grand Prix victories, he hung up his helmet for good.
