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Speed Read F1: The Technology, Rules, History and Concepts Key to the Sport
Get instant access to the history, technology, drivers, rivalries, racing circuits, and business of Formula 1 in this beautifully designed and illustrated essential guide from Motorbooks' Speed Read series.
The world racing championship that now encompasses 20 (and counting) annual races across five continents started in the European racing scene between the first and second world wars. It's been a long road from the early races held in redundant airfields bounded by old oil drums to today's extravagant spectacles--a road marked by glory, championships, iteration, technology, and speed.
In sections divided by topic, you'll find the history of the sport, biographies of major drivers and figures who have dominated the sport's long and storied history, a rundown of the incredible technology that makes its cars so fast, an account of racing accidents and the safety measures they inspired, and more.
Each section ends with a glossary of related terms, and informational sidebars provide fun facts, historical tidbits, and mini-bios of key people in Formula 1. Sleek illustrations of the cars, technology, and drivers impart the visual feel of F1 throughout.
With Motorbooks' Speed Read series, become an instant expert in a range of fast-moving subjects, from Formula 1 racing to the Tour de France. Accessible language, compartmentalized sections, fact-filled sidebars, glossaries of key terms, and event timelines deliver quick access to insider knowledge. Their brightly colored covers, modern design, pop art-inspired illustrations, and handy size make them perfect on-the-go reads.
The world racing championship that now encompasses 20 (and counting) annual races across five continents started in the European racing scene between the first and second world wars. It's been a long road from the early races held in redundant airfields bounded by old oil drums to today's extravagant spectacles--a road marked by glory, championships, iteration, technology, and speed.
In sections divided by topic, you'll find the history of the sport, biographies of major drivers and figures who have dominated the sport's long and storied history, a rundown of the incredible technology that makes its cars so fast, an account of racing accidents and the safety measures they inspired, and more.
Each section ends with a glossary of related terms, and informational sidebars provide fun facts, historical tidbits, and mini-bios of key people in Formula 1. Sleek illustrations of the cars, technology, and drivers impart the visual feel of F1 throughout.
With Motorbooks' Speed Read series, become an instant expert in a range of fast-moving subjects, from Formula 1 racing to the Tour de France. Accessible language, compartmentalized sections, fact-filled sidebars, glossaries of key terms, and event timelines deliver quick access to insider knowledge. Their brightly colored covers, modern design, pop art-inspired illustrations, and handy size make them perfect on-the-go reads.
- GenresNonfictionSportsCars
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2017
45 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 30, 2020
lThe book is very slight. The topics are discussed from history, through development to the present. A subject is discussed in detail only when the author has a particular interest in it, like the often toxic rivalry between certain drivers. Apart from reading Jensen Button's excellent and the really disappointing , I knew nothing about formula 1 racing. I have a much better grasp on it now. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
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Notes on reading This is like a primer for F1 racing. The companies, the cars, the drivers ( their egos, and their rivalries) - the circuits and the endless trade off of power and speed for safety. I think it is probably ok for someone at the beginning of learning about racing, like me, but it's probably too basic for the knowledgeable fan.
I can't get that week's racing in Daytona out of my head. It was more being with a real racing driver at real races, but it was also doing three laps in the Corvette myself. I just want to know more even if I never get another chance myself. I want to go racing so much I dream about it at night. Or perhaps I dream about K and don't want to admit that I'm not really over him at all.
__________
Notes on reading This is like a primer for F1 racing. The companies, the cars, the drivers ( their egos, and their rivalries) - the circuits and the endless trade off of power and speed for safety. I think it is probably ok for someone at the beginning of learning about racing, like me, but it's probably too basic for the knowledgeable fan.
I can't get that week's racing in Daytona out of my head. It was more being with a real racing driver at real races, but it was also doing three laps in the Corvette myself. I just want to know more even if I never get another chance myself. I want to go racing so much I dream about it at night. Or perhaps I dream about K and don't want to admit that I'm not really over him at all.
June 25, 2022
very informative if you're a Formula 1 fan that wants to know more.
November 7, 2017
Decent structure, good illustrations, meaningful insight... an ok book for someone already sure that they're interested F1.
April 21, 2018
clear. concise. and easy to understand.
January 15, 2025
A decent introduction to Formula 1, but it kind of dragged at some parts while skipping over other parts that should’ve been talked about more. Like I’m sorry but I didn’t need so many chapters on Ecclestone. Also (not the fault of the book) this was published in 2017 so some of the facts were outdated but obviously that’s just because I read it now instead of when it was just released. Anyways, still had a good time reading and learning more!
February 28, 2025
Was a great read for getting into the f1 series. Short sections in each chapter made it formative without tangents to explain one part. It helped me understand the back story of the sport and other aspects as new rules and designs of cars come out.
Recommend for someone looking to help with a quick understanding before a deep dive into teams and other books on the F1 series.
Recommend for someone looking to help with a quick understanding before a deep dive into teams and other books on the F1 series.
April 7, 2025
This is a good but dated book about F1. It does give great background information on the technology, the racing circuits, and what a racing weekend is like. The glossaries in each section are good too. Basically, it provides solid information for someone just getting into F1 who wants some history and to understand more easily what's going on.
June 17, 2023
Well written and with just enough information to inform but not overwhelm about the world of F1, including the history, technology, famous rivalries and tracks. Perfect for a beginner but don't expect current season information.
August 25, 2020
Very complete guide for a newbie. Covers technical, commercial and historical aspects of the F1 world.
March 7, 2022
BOX,BOX,BOX
An awesome, checkered flag in depth overview of Formula 1 up to the recent past
No safety car required!!
Drive to survive season four
Green Flag drops on 3/11
An awesome, checkered flag in depth overview of Formula 1 up to the recent past
No safety car required!!
Drive to survive season four
Green Flag drops on 3/11
March 25, 2024
Really informative, explains everything very clearly if you’re a new F1 fan -which i am not - good illustrations.
May 12, 2024
Ciekawe wprowadzenie do świata F1, rzeczywiście w pigułce. Szkoda, że nie ma aktualizacji tej pozycji. Piekne ilustracje.
July 12, 2021
Some of the info is a little out of date, but its still a good read for anyone just getting into f1. I bought it because my family was just getting into the sport and none of us knew anything. It helped us get the base knowledge we needed and then we googled all the new rules and tech that wasn't in the book. So if you're an expert, its not the book for you. But if you're a newbie, it is helpful.
April 16, 2020
swift and precise.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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