Books articles archive

Yet another biography of Ayrton Senna. I’m not sure what niche Christopher Hilton has in mind with this, his sixth book on the Brazilian thrice-champion. But you can’t deny that Senna sells. The Whole Story compiles four of Hilton’s ealier biographies, the first two of which pre-dated Senna’s death in 1994. They are The Hard … Continue reading “Ayrton Senna: The Whole Story” (Christopher Hilton, 2004)

Formula One is just one of the sports that Richard Williams covers for the Guardian, and that breadth of knowledge gives him a refreshingly broad approach to the often insular world of motor sport in general, and F1 in particular. He is also the author of several books on motor sport and in this biography … Continue reading “Enzo Ferrari: A Life” (Richard Williams, 2001)

In the pre-FOCA years Oulton Park regularly hosted non-championship Formula 1 races and some of these are featured in Peter McFadyen’s book of photography from the time.

Michael Schumacher is the biggest character in Formula One today. With an unapproachable stack of wins and championship victories to his name, his identity is writ large across the sport. Media fascination with him is inevitable and it’s hardly surprising that, after more than a decade at the top of the tree, what little time … Continue reading “Michael Schumacher: Driving Force” (Sabine Kehm)

“Life in the Fast Lane” is the first of the two memoirs of former Benetton mechanic Steve Matchett. It focuses on the particularly tragic, turbulent and controversial 1994 season which nonetheless eventually saw Benetton’s Michael Schumacher win the World Drivers Championship. Steve Matchett’s book tells the story of a season’s racing from a mechanic’s point … Continue reading “Life in the Fast Lane” (Steve Matchett, 1995)

James Hunt – hedonist extraordinaire. His legendary off-track exploits would more than fill a book – but happily this biography isn’t an overdose of sensation. Gerald Donaldson looks at Hunt from all angles: the consummate professional whose attention would nonetheless wander; the man who accrued vast wealth then carelessly squandered it; the party animal and … Continue reading “James Hunt: The Biography” (Gerald Donaldson, 2003)

Often we are told not to judge books by their covers. With this paperback edition of Robert Edwards’ 2001 biography of Sir Stirling Moss, do the exact opposite. The iconic picture of a youthful Stirling, face blackened by race track filth but for two goggle-sized spots gleaming white around the eyes. It’s all there in … Continue reading “Stirling Moss: The Authorised Biography” (Robert Edwards, 2005)

Grand Prix motor racing reaches its centenary in 2006 so this retrospective look at some of the behemoth racers from the dawn of the century is well-timed. It may be a little on the dusty side but you don’t need thick-rimmed glasses and an enormous beard to enjoy this book.

Memories of James Hunt is a fine accompaniment to Gerald Donaldson’s accomplished biography James Hunt – but by no means a replacement for it. Prolific Formula One writer Christopher Hilton presents hundreds of quotes and 150 photographs of the 1976 World Championship in a slender, square, hardback book. It pays suitable homage to Hunt’s legendary … Continue reading “Memories of James Hunt” (Christopher Hilton, 2006)

Beverley Turner was briefly a member of ITV’s Formula One coverage team in the early 2000s.