The tidal wave of books and DVDs on Lewis Hamilton that burst forth last year has eased to a trickle. Now one of the better efforts at a documentary about Britain’s most unavoidable F1 star has made it onto DVD. But although Hamilton’s name and face are plastered across the front of the package, the … Continue reading “Life Behind Lewis” (DVD)
Unofficial season reviews articles archive
Best gifts for F1 fans: Videos (1/5)
Posted onSearching for presents for your Christmas wish list? Need a present for a Formula 1 fan? Over the next five days I’ll be picking out some of the best F1 videos, books, toys, collectibles and more to give you some great gift ideas – starting off with the best in F1 video.
“Formula One 1974: Down to the last race” (DVD)
Posted onThink of F1 racing in the 1970s and you imagine bizarre-looking cars with fat rear wheels, daubed in the gaudy colours of their sponsors. Unpredictable races, down-to the wire championship battles, and a different winner each weekend. In 1974, that wasn’t far from the truth, and this excellent DVD captures the spirit of those heady … Continue reading “Formula One 1974: Down to the last race” (DVD)
“Formula One 1973: Reign of Stewart” (DVD)
Posted onThe fourth in the Brunswick series of DVDs covers Jackie Stewart’s final championship victory – and final season. It was a year punctuated by some brilliant drives and some horrible accidents. Roger Williamson and Francois Cevert both lost their lives. But this excellent documentary presents even the more harrowing footage objectively and responsibly.
“Formula One 1972: Fittipaldi’s Year” (DVD)
Posted onIf you thought the four-week gap between the Bahrain and Spanish Grands Prix this year was interminable, in 1972 the first two rounds were two months apart! Emerson Fittipaldi would win the championship, becoming the youngest driver to do so until Fernando Alonso in 2005. This DVD gives a reasonably detailed account of the season … Continue reading “Formula One 1972: Fittipaldi’s Year” (DVD)
“Formula One 1970: The Uncrowned Champion”
F1 review
Posted onThe Uncrowned Champion?é?Ø is the first in the series of F1 season reviews created using footage from the Brunswick archives.
“Showdown” (1990 season video)
Posted onAnother typical early ’90s Frontrunner tape as all the incidents from another cracking season are crammed together into an action packed hour. Although too short, this is more watchable than the 1989 video thanks to a good commentary and more thoughtful editing that shows slightly more of each race than the crashes. That said this … Continue reading “Showdown” (1990 season video)
“Mansell v. Senna” (1991 season video)
Posted onThe Front Runner videos use the same Formula One Constructor’s Association (FOCA) footage as the official reviews do, but the tapes are usually shorter. At a scant 60 mins for 16 races, the 1991 review is no exception. However it does pack a fairly thorough review of the season into this single hour. There’s no … Continue reading “Mansell v. Senna” (1991 season video)
“Duel of the Champions” (1989 season video)
Posted on1989 was a classic season, hinging on the rivalry of two of F1’s greatest drivers. This video gamely tries to compile all the relevant footage into one hour but it just doesn’t quite work. Instead the hour is a breathless rush through incidents and accidents of the year without ever really making sense. This is … Continue reading “Duel of the Champions” (1989 season video)
“Double First: Williams and Jones” (1980 season dvd)
Posted onThe Brunswick material stands out in terms of quality but is lacking in depth. Often entire races are missed and some have only fleeting moments of action. Such is the case with this DVD (also available on video, as the rest of the series are.) The South African, Spanish, German and Austrian rounds are all … Continue reading “Double First: Williams and Jones” (1980 season dvd)