Update: Find the new F1 Fanatic gift guide for 2012 here:
The festive season is upon us and whether you’re buying a gift for an F1 fan or hoping to unwrap some F1 goodies we’ve got a stack of present ideas for you.
Using your F1 gift ideas as a starting point I’ve compiled 75 top presents for F1 fans from videos to books and models to games. Read on for the full list.
Jump to: Videos | Games | Books | Pictures | Models | Clothes
Race tickets | Calendars | Toys | Other stuff
Videos
F1 2009 DVD season review “Not in a hurry”
Always a big-seller and packed with four-and-a-half hours of footage the official F1 season review DVD is a must-have.
Read the review | Buy the 2009 F1 DVD review
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2009
Highlights from this year’s show included appearances from Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. Have a look at the pictures from the festival to get a preview of some of the great racing cars at the 2009 edition.
Buy the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2009 DVD
Donington Grands Prix 1937-38 DVD
Just released on DVD, some fascinating footage of the Silver Arrows racing at Donington Park before the outbreak of World War Two.
Buy the Donington 1937 & 1938 DVD
Other motor sport DVDs
Whatever other motor sports you’re into there’s bound to be a DVD to suit – like the World Rally Championship, British Touring Cars or Le Mans 24 Hours.
Other F1 season review DVDs
Fill the gaps in your collection:
- 2008 F1 season review DVD – “Luck does not come into it”
- 2007 F1 season review DVD – “Kimi made it at last”
- 2006 F1 season review DVD – “Once again”
- 2005 F1 season review DVD – “Fantastic Fernando”
- 2004 F1 season review DVD – “Michael does it again”
- 2003 F1 season review DVD – “Michael & co.: The dream team”
Not enough for you? Here’s some more F1 video gift ideas.
Games
Finally F1 has an official game! It’s only available on two formats at the moment, you’ll have to wait until next year for Sony PS3 and Xbox 360 versions. There’s also an iPhone edition out now too.
"F1 2009?���?? by Codemasters for Nintendo Wii
Comes with an adaptor to turn the Wii controller into a steering wheel.
Read the review | Buy F1 2009 for Nintendo Wii
"F1 2009?���?? by Codemasters for Sony PSP
Play “F1 2009” on the go – all the functionality of the Wii game in a hand-held package.
Read the review | Buy F1 2009 for Sony PSP
Books
Jenson Button: My championship year
The official book, which explains how Brawn were rescued at the beginning of the year only to discover they had a championship-winning car on their hands.
Read the review | Buy Jenson Button: My championship year
Williams
A first-rate book covering the history of one of the most successful F1 teams of all time, with much of the story told by its drivers, team members and, of course, Frank Williams and Patrick Head.
Read the review | Buy “Williams”
Senna versus Prost
The dramatic and destructive rivalry between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost is told 20 years after their infamous first collision at Suzuka, and draws on a new interview with Prost.
Read the review | Buy “Senna versus Prost”
Stirling Moss: All my races
Covering every single one of almost 600 races Moss entered during his career, including all his F1 starts.
Read the review | Buy Stirling Moss: All my races
The Toleman Story
The story of the team which gave Ayrton Senna his F1 debut told for the first time (not yet reviewed).
Autocourse 2009-2010
Always a popular choice with F1 Fanatic readers.
Pictures
Car-a-day by Rob Ijbema
Rob Ijbema paints a diverse selection of paintings of racing cars and supplied one for the winner of our 2009 Predictions Championship.
Motorsport in print
Check out the distinctive drawing style of Motorsport in Print which have a large collection of pictures available, including many from 2009, at reasonable prices. (Thanks to Katy for the tip!)
Darren Heath
Ace F1 photographer Darren Heath now offers his pictures to buy as prints. They aren’t cheap, but quality like this is hard to match.
Models
There are, of course, too many different models from the 2009 season alone to list them all in one go, so here’s a couple of highlights. It is often the case with these models that stock arrives at short notice. Keep an eye on Leigh of Grand Prix Legends’ blog if there’s a particular model you’re waiting for:
Brawn
With Mercedes taking over they won’t have cause to make any more Brawn models in the future so these could become quite collectable. Various sizes and models from different races are available:
- Jenson Button, Brawn GP, Australian Grand Prix (first win) 1:18 scale
- Rubens Barrichello, Brawn GP 1:43 scale
- Jenson Button, Brawn GP, Brazilian Grand Prix (world championship win) 1:43 scale
- Jenson Button, Brawn GP, Brazilian Grand Prix (world championship win presentation) 1:18 scale
Red Bull
A breakthrough year for Red Bull with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber winnign six times between them. The RB5 was one of the better-looking of 2009’s cars too.
- Red Bull two-car set, Chinese GP (one-two finish) 1:43 scale
- Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull 1:43 scale
- Mark Webber, Red Bull 1:43 scale
McLaren
What began as a nightmare season for McLaren ended with an unexpected pair of wins. With Mercedes buying into Brawn these could be the last of the McLaren Silver Arrows.
- Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes 1:43 scale
- Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren-Mercedes 1:43 scale
- Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes 1:18 scale
Ferrari
The F60 may not be remembered with great affection by Ferrari fans in years to come but Kimi Raikkonen at least managed to wring one win out of it at Spa-Francorchamps. But no Fisichella model yet, it seems.
Force India
A terrific season for Force India with their first pole position and podium finish, courtesy of Giancarlo Fisichella.
Amalgam large-scale models
Huge, 1:8 scale models with prize tags to match. If anyone actually has one of these models, please do write in and tell us about it. They’re priced in the �2,700-3,000 region. As well as the modern stuff, there are some gorgeous classic models too.
- Jenson Button, Brawn GP, Brazilian Grand Prix (world championship win) 1:8 scale
- Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 2009 1:8 scale
- Ayrton Senna, McLaren-Honda MP4/6, 1991 Japanese Grand Prix (third world championship win) 1:8 scale
- Gilles Villeneuve/Jody Scheckter, Ferrari 312T4 1:8 scale
Clothes
Brawn
It’s not a great time of the year to buy F1 clothing as all the teams will be bringing out new lines in time for the start of the 2010 season. But, as with the models, this is your last chance to get your hands one some Brawn-wear:
Ferrari
Some teams come and go but Ferrari will always be around. This red T-Shirt with the Cavallino Rampante crest has a timeless quality:
Buy the Ferrari Scudetto T-Shirt
Retro F1 clothing
If you’re looking for something a bit different, have a look at Retro F1 Clothing’s T-Shirts in the style of classic F1 teams Tyrrell and Hesketh.
Race tickets
Whichever race you pick, you’ll find lots of useful information on what tickets to buy and where to sit in the ‘spectators experiences’ pages here: F1 circuits.
Calendars
No great surprises here: 365 days and a selection of pictures in several F1-themed flavours:
- Buy the Official Jenson Button Calendar 2010
- Buy the Official Ferrari F1 Calendar 2010
- Buy the Official Mclaren F1 Calendar 2010
- Buy the Autocourse F1 Calendar 2010
Toys
Good to see that F1’s oldest rivalry even extends to them using different brands for construction toys. Ferraris come in Lego, McLarens in Mega Bloks…
- Buy the 1:10 scale Ferrari F1 Lego racer
- Buy the Ferrari F1 Lego truck
- Buy the McLaren F1 Mega Bloks Racing Rig
Scalextric
What will surely be one of the great F1 battles of 2010 is already available in Micro Scalextric form – Jenson Button vs Lewis Hamilton:
- Buy the Top Speed (Button vs Hamilton) Micro Scalextric set
- Buy the McLaren-Mercedes World Champion Scalextric Set
Other stuff
Five final ideas at reasonable prices that didn’t seem to fit in anywhere else:
- Red Bull Racing Xtreme 3200 dpi Gamer Mouse and Mousepad
- Lewis Hamilton mouse mat
- F1 mug gift set
- F1 car cufflinks
- Motorsport Digital Archive: 1980s (other decades available)
Are you buying or hoping to receive any F1 gifts this year? Name your perfect present – and suggest any good ones I’ve missed – in the comments.
Harvs
14th December 2009, 23:25
Thanks Keith, buy i think il be buying the gifts for myslef!
ciaran
14th December 2009, 23:39
F1 Yearbook is my favourite.Got it last year and I was thrilled.
TommyB
15th December 2009, 0:00
I did a top 5 STR gifts on my blog http://forzatororosso.blogspot.com/
These are great though, so much great stuff to get. I actually just bought my mum a bottle of win from Jarno Trulli’s vineyard :D
Sush Meerkat
15th December 2009, 8:15
Could you report back to us with what it tastes like?.
I’m guessing its squid ink, but i’m a pessimist, you could say i’m a “the glass is half full of squid ink” kinda guy.
Robbert
15th December 2009, 0:14
What I recommend are the amalgam miniature 1:4 steering wheels. I bought the BMW Sauber F1.09 for myself and the Scuderia Ferrari F60 for my brother (altho it sits on my desk also now :D). I was expecting some plastic, not so detailed steering wheel models, but I must say; the first time I had one in my hands, they were gorgeous hand crafted models with all the details. And they weigh alot!!! I have now ordered the McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 one.
wasiF1
15th December 2009, 0:43
I had bought Official F1 books
nexon
15th December 2009, 9:03
thanks a lot Kieth i am going to Dubai anyways so i will try to find these stuff there.
Steph90
15th December 2009, 9:28
I have to say for any Senna fans the Interactive Voage book was brilliant I felt although it is solely focusing on Senna so isn’t too balanced.
I think I’ll be getting a Ferrari model but I’ll probably get that myself. Have a guess which driver? :P
I may end up breaking it. Knowing me I’ll be a total child and have it racing around my desk :)
DanThorn
15th December 2009, 10:11
The trick is not to remove the model from it’s box and then you wont be tempted!
DanThorn
15th December 2009, 10:14
I just bought JB’s Brawn in 1:43 for myself even though I cant really afford it. Keith’s reasoning that there wont be many more was all the convincing I needed to buy one!
steph
15th December 2009, 11:17
No it’s just a good excuse for having it :P
And of course I’ll remove it from it’s box. I know many people like to keep these items in mint condition but I like to have bit of fun and enjoy them as I’m never going to sell them :)
DanThorn
15th December 2009, 11:45
Ahh, fair enough! I’m keeping mine boxed until I can afford a large mahogany glass-fronted cabinet with several shelves. Then I’ll remove them and display them appropriately – ideally I’d like to get every car from a certain season and line them up in grid order corresponding to their final championship position for that year.
Wow, I’m really sad!
steph
15th December 2009, 13:18
I don’t think it is sad. I really enjoy reading your posts as you clearly have a huge amount of enthusiasm. :)
Dan, if you can, take some pictures and show us :) But take any season where Ferrari ended up at the front :P
DanThorn
15th December 2009, 13:58
Damn, that means I won’t be able to do 1993 – One of my favourite Ferrari’s is also one of the worst! :(
Ratboy
15th December 2009, 22:54
Its not sad Dan,
Ive got 4 cabinets full of models, plus 4 waiting for a new cabinet,
All ranging from Senna’s Toleman through to last years grid, although I only have a full 1996 grid :(
Must. buy. more. models…..
Richard
17th January 2010, 9:05
why can’t i find a copy of the formula one yearbook 2009-2010, mine has been on order since last year and no book shop has it in yet. whats going on
Traction
11th February 2010, 11:35
i’ve been looking for “formula one yearbook 2009-2010” too.
I think it has been cancelled – never published
I’ve done a lot of searching
This site lists it as cancelled
http://www.bertrams.com/BertWeb/public/itemLookup.do?method=list&ITEM=9782847071672
Grand Prix Legends has the Official Yearbook marked as “This is an alternative to BK3252 which has been cancelled from production.”.
http://www.grandprixlegends.com/books-and-dvds/season-reviews/formula-1/the-official-formula-one-season-review-2009-haynes.html