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The Formula: How Rogues, Geniuses, and Speed Freaks Reengineered F1 into the World's Fastest-Growing Sport
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
'HANDS DOWN THE GREATEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN ABOUT F1.' -Sam Walker, author of The Captain Class
'MODERN F1 IS THE SPORTS STORY OF THIS ERA AND NO ONE COULD TELL IT BETTER' -Kevin Clark, ESPN
'THE FASTEST READ YOU WILL EVER PICK UP' -A.J. Baime, author of Go Like Hell
F1 is now the fastest growing sport in the world; the full story of its unbelievable rise is a riveting saga only hinted at by the likes of Drive to Survive. In this book - the first, definitive account of how F1 came to achieve total global fandom - Wall Street Journal reporters Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg take us inside a world full of racing obsessives, glamorous settings, petrolheads, engineering geniuses, dashing racers and bitter rivalries.
The story of F1's world dominance is one of near-constant transformation and experimentation. This is a sport where the only way to win championships is to land a series of technical moon shots - and then do it all over again. With fast cars, big money, beautiful people, and glamorous locations from Monaco to Melbourne, The Formula tells the full, epic story of the sport. Starting in 1950s Britain, where six years of wartime engineering laid the foundations for a new type of motorcar racing; to the first global star partnership of Senna and Ecclestone; Spygate; Crashgate and its transition into an entertainment juggernaut. Bringing unique insight and access to F1's most storied teams and personalities - from Ferrari to Lewis Hamilton to Christian Horner and Daniel Ricciardo -The Formula offers a riveting portrait of the drivers, corporations, cars, rivalries, and audacious gambles that have shaped the sport for half a century.
The end result is a high-octane history of how modern F1 racing came to be - the first book to tell the story of the outrageous successes and spectacular crashes that led F1 to this extraordinary yet precarious moment. More than just a sports story, it is the tale of a commercial empire, one built in the 20th century, rendered almost obsolete in the early 21st, and re-emerged world-dominant today; a disrupter that claimed its place in the crowded sports marketplace through cash, personality, and a new understanding of what a sport needs to be in the age of wall-to-wall entertainment.
'HANDS DOWN THE GREATEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN ABOUT F1.' -Sam Walker, author of The Captain Class
'MODERN F1 IS THE SPORTS STORY OF THIS ERA AND NO ONE COULD TELL IT BETTER' -Kevin Clark, ESPN
'THE FASTEST READ YOU WILL EVER PICK UP' -A.J. Baime, author of Go Like Hell
F1 is now the fastest growing sport in the world; the full story of its unbelievable rise is a riveting saga only hinted at by the likes of Drive to Survive. In this book - the first, definitive account of how F1 came to achieve total global fandom - Wall Street Journal reporters Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg take us inside a world full of racing obsessives, glamorous settings, petrolheads, engineering geniuses, dashing racers and bitter rivalries.
The story of F1's world dominance is one of near-constant transformation and experimentation. This is a sport where the only way to win championships is to land a series of technical moon shots - and then do it all over again. With fast cars, big money, beautiful people, and glamorous locations from Monaco to Melbourne, The Formula tells the full, epic story of the sport. Starting in 1950s Britain, where six years of wartime engineering laid the foundations for a new type of motorcar racing; to the first global star partnership of Senna and Ecclestone; Spygate; Crashgate and its transition into an entertainment juggernaut. Bringing unique insight and access to F1's most storied teams and personalities - from Ferrari to Lewis Hamilton to Christian Horner and Daniel Ricciardo -The Formula offers a riveting portrait of the drivers, corporations, cars, rivalries, and audacious gambles that have shaped the sport for half a century.
The end result is a high-octane history of how modern F1 racing came to be - the first book to tell the story of the outrageous successes and spectacular crashes that led F1 to this extraordinary yet precarious moment. More than just a sports story, it is the tale of a commercial empire, one built in the 20th century, rendered almost obsolete in the early 21st, and re-emerged world-dominant today; a disrupter that claimed its place in the crowded sports marketplace through cash, personality, and a new understanding of what a sport needs to be in the age of wall-to-wall entertainment.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 647 reviews
May 28, 2024
Overall, I liked this book but I noticed some small factual errors that make me a little wary of fully trusting the stories told in the book.
Bottas was referred to as an Estonian driver. Also, the authors say that no one has died on track in F1 since Senna's crash, which is I guess technically true, but it feels like a bit of a cop out when Jules Bianchi died as the result of an on-track incident (and his death is mentioned much later but not even by name).
Anyway, still an interesting story.
Bottas was referred to as an Estonian driver. Also, the authors say that no one has died on track in F1 since Senna's crash, which is I guess technically true, but it feels like a bit of a cop out when Jules Bianchi died as the result of an on-track incident (and his death is mentioned much later but not even by name).
Anyway, still an interesting story.
January 14, 2024
It would be incredibly easy for a book like this to become a hagiography of famous drivers, a greatest hits of indelible races or a dashed-off tribute to how a decades-old sport reinvented itself for Netflix and the social media era. "The Formula" avoids that trap by showing the seams in how the sport evolved from greasy garages to glass-panelled boardrooms, unafraid to point out the shady sides of F1 luminaries such as Bernie Ecclestone. It is a sport that, as they point out, is literally named after the rule book - but the stories of how the rules have been bent to the point of incredulity may be the most important sections of the decades-long story they tell. And their parting concern - that F1 may have become the first truly post-modern sport, with die-hard fans around the globe who have never even seen more than a TikTok video 's worth of a Grand Prix - is perceptive about the challenges ahead for the fastest show on earth. This may not be a *great book* - but it is a *great book about Formula 1.*
January 28, 2024
I'm one of those people whose whole family caught the F1 bug thanks to DRIVE TO SURVIVE, and now we watch every race, qualifying and most practices. I'm also the type of person who, while interested in the drivers (#TeamLeClerc, #TeamAlonso, #TeamAnyoneButMax), is also a fascinated by the tech--Practice 1 is my favorite because that's often the subject--and the business behind F1. So THE FORMULA checked all the boxes for me. Indeed, it's a book that when I saw it on NetGalley I couldn't request it fast enough, so I"m glad the publisher gave me an early look. I was not disappointed.
The book ranges from the origins of F1 to the present, largely focusing on the cars and owners. It finally explained to me why Williams was so good for a while (they basically built the first computerized car, which made it handle better than any other), why Jenson Button won a championship (the double diffuser in his car gave him incredible grip), where Mercedes and Red Bull came from, and what it takes to win, whatever the tech in your car. The anecdote about why Christian Horner gave up racing himself might be the best explanation, especially when coupled with what makes Lewis so good; it might also be the only moment of humility in Christian's life. The explanation of why Ferrari has long struggled is very good, says the person who is wearing a Ferrari shirt at this moment. The chapter about Spygate was fascinating; I had no idea. And the book made me better appreciate speed through the flats versus handling in the corners. Overall THE FORMULA pairs up well with GAME OF EDGES and probably the authors' book on the Premier League, which I now have to read (#TeamLiverpool).
If the book has any problem it's that it's only an overview and a bit once over lightly in places, but given that the book's meant to be an overview for the millions of new American F1 fans, that's also kind of a plus. It does the job it's meant to do, and the writing's engaging. A solid performer.
The book ranges from the origins of F1 to the present, largely focusing on the cars and owners. It finally explained to me why Williams was so good for a while (they basically built the first computerized car, which made it handle better than any other), why Jenson Button won a championship (the double diffuser in his car gave him incredible grip), where Mercedes and Red Bull came from, and what it takes to win, whatever the tech in your car. The anecdote about why Christian Horner gave up racing himself might be the best explanation, especially when coupled with what makes Lewis so good; it might also be the only moment of humility in Christian's life. The explanation of why Ferrari has long struggled is very good, says the person who is wearing a Ferrari shirt at this moment. The chapter about Spygate was fascinating; I had no idea. And the book made me better appreciate speed through the flats versus handling in the corners. Overall THE FORMULA pairs up well with GAME OF EDGES and probably the authors' book on the Premier League, which I now have to read (#TeamLiverpool).
If the book has any problem it's that it's only an overview and a bit once over lightly in places, but given that the book's meant to be an overview for the millions of new American F1 fans, that's also kind of a plus. It does the job it's meant to do, and the writing's engaging. A solid performer.
December 19, 2024
“the real housewives of monte carlo” i screamed bc this sport is truly drama personified, great read!
March 16, 2024
I’m not really a sports person, but love good scandal. I picked this up because my son is into F1 and thought it would help me learn about the races he stays up to 2am to watch. You don’t have to be into racing to get into this story. It’s full of near cheating, actual cheating, industrial espionage, and race rigging. If you love scandals, I recommend this one.
I mentioned to my son I was reading this book and that F1 was full of dirt bags. His reply was “yeah, that’s kinda what they’re about.”
I mentioned to my son I was reading this book and that F1 was full of dirt bags. His reply was “yeah, that’s kinda what they’re about.”
August 2, 2024
the full chapter on brocedes really made this book 5 stars
September 27, 2025
♾️100⭐️ #ebook
Я точно ніколи не дивився гран-прі від і до повністю, але це бажання точно появилось після прочитання цієї книги. Так, я знав про Шумахера, Сенну, Гамільтона, Алонсо, Фетеля, Ферстаппена та інших, але коли ставались ключові події в історії все було мимо мене (про це цікаво читати вчасно). Тут багато інтриг, розслідувань і доленосних рішень. Сподобалась ситуація про «від Спайґейту до Крашґейту», про Монако багато, про Вегас і америку, найшвидше коло в історії Сенни у Монте-Карло, як Сенна вибив Проста у Монако і тим самим виграв чемпіонат, і зразу після аварії з треку пішов у яхту додивлятися гонку, Абу-Дабі 2021, про Скудерію, Срібну кулю, редбулівців, золоті етапи формули та багато іншого. Читав електронну книгу і десь 70+ закладок зробив, але вже точно хочу купити паперову книгу і у наступному році перечитати вже зі стікерами.
Прост про Сенну: «Чемпіонат світу - це про спорт, а не про війну. Але він цього не розуміє».
«Якщо вам треба запитати, скільки це коштує, значить, ви не можете собі це дозволити».
Дуже інформативна і легка подача інформації у книзі, як на мене сподобається всім, адже ми точно любимо покопирсатися у чужому лайні, а ще самим всяке лайно на вентилятор закидати😀😀😀 там ми всі олімпійські чемпіони.
Рекомендую!
Я точно ніколи не дивився гран-прі від і до повністю, але це бажання точно появилось після прочитання цієї книги. Так, я знав про Шумахера, Сенну, Гамільтона, Алонсо, Фетеля, Ферстаппена та інших, але коли ставались ключові події в історії все було мимо мене (про це цікаво читати вчасно). Тут багато інтриг, розслідувань і доленосних рішень. Сподобалась ситуація про «від Спайґейту до Крашґейту», про Монако багато, про Вегас і америку, найшвидше коло в історії Сенни у Монте-Карло, як Сенна вибив Проста у Монако і тим самим виграв чемпіонат, і зразу після аварії з треку пішов у яхту додивлятися гонку, Абу-Дабі 2021, про Скудерію, Срібну кулю, редбулівців, золоті етапи формули та багато іншого. Читав електронну книгу і десь 70+ закладок зробив, але вже точно хочу купити паперову книгу і у наступному році перечитати вже зі стікерами.
Прост про Сенну: «Чемпіонат світу - це про спорт, а не про війну. Але він цього не розуміє».
«Якщо вам треба запитати, скільки це коштує, значить, ви не можете собі це дозволити».
Дуже інформативна і легка подача інформації у книзі, як на мене сподобається всім, адже ми точно любимо покопирсатися у чужому лайні, а ще самим всяке лайно на вентилятор закидати😀😀😀 там ми всі олімпійські чемпіони.
Рекомендую!
September 23, 2025
#️⃣4️⃣8️⃣4️⃣ Read & Reviewed in 2025 💔🩸
Date : 🚀 Thursday, September 18, 2025 🚫🔻❌
Word Count📃: 67k Words 🧨🔪🎈
⋆⭒𓆟⋆｡˚𖦹𓆜✩⋆ >-;;;;€ᐷ °‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡
( ˶°ㅁ°) !! My 58th read in "READING AS MANY BOOKS AS I CANNN 😢 cuz smth....happened.....irl.........😥" September ⚡
4️⃣🌟, idk anything about formula 1 so like ok this good i guess but like i still don't care about it tho 😭😭😭😭
——————————————————————
➕➖0️⃣1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣7️⃣8️⃣9️⃣🔟✖️➗
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...what to type what to type. It without a doubt talks about the history of formula 1 and the different events and important people that made the franchise???????????????? (is formula 1 a franchise or smth, it's not like a sport specifically since it also details on the mechanical aspects of assembling the perfect insides of a car and what can make it go faster).
I can admit that most of the information dumped in here (yeah it's probably my critique, it's too much of an info dump) flew over my head, it gives specific things too much detail but like I'm not even interested in formula 1 i just randomly picked this up and read it from start to finish. Give me a book on aerospace engineering then maybe I'll be interested in retaining all the information that i read from a book. The target audience of this book anyways is people who already engage with formula 1 content and knows much on the subject matter already.
I liked Enzo & Bernie's story tho, it's probably the only memorable part in the entire thing.
Date : 🚀 Thursday, September 18, 2025 🚫🔻❌
Word Count📃: 67k Words 🧨🔪🎈
⋆⭒𓆟⋆｡˚𖦹𓆜✩⋆ >-;;;;€ᐷ °‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡
( ˶°ㅁ°) !! My 58th read in "READING AS MANY BOOKS AS I CANNN 😢 cuz smth....happened.....irl.........😥" September ⚡
4️⃣🌟, idk anything about formula 1 so like ok this good i guess but like i still don't care about it tho 😭😭😭😭
——————————————————————
➕➖0️⃣1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣7️⃣8️⃣9️⃣🔟✖️➗
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...what to type what to type. It without a doubt talks about the history of formula 1 and the different events and important people that made the franchise???????????????? (is formula 1 a franchise or smth, it's not like a sport specifically since it also details on the mechanical aspects of assembling the perfect insides of a car and what can make it go faster).
I can admit that most of the information dumped in here (yeah it's probably my critique, it's too much of an info dump) flew over my head, it gives specific things too much detail but like I'm not even interested in formula 1 i just randomly picked this up and read it from start to finish. Give me a book on aerospace engineering then maybe I'll be interested in retaining all the information that i read from a book. The target audience of this book anyways is people who already engage with formula 1 content and knows much on the subject matter already.
I liked Enzo & Bernie's story tho, it's probably the only memorable part in the entire thing.
March 26, 2024
Formula 1 racing has long been a staple of the sports environment in Europe for several decades. However, it had trouble attracting fans in the United States until a Netflix show about the sport called “Drive to Survive” was shown during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. How the sport got to that point, and what has taken place since to make it grow as fast as the subtitle suggests, is documented in this excellent book by Wall Street Journal writers Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg.
This book, as the authors state in the beginning, is not a detailed history of the sport in which race results are chronicled, drivers and crews are not provided detailed biographies and details about season results are not recapped here. Instead, this book provides many excellent stories and illustrations on the business side of the sport from its early history to its current popularity that has grown from the Netflix exposure.
While biographies are not a main source of information in this book, the authors do a terrific job of portraying some of the biggest names in the sport, both on the business side and some of its most famous drivers. For the latter, there is an entire chapter on Michael Schumacher, considered by some to be the greatest driver in the history of F1. A good portrait of the best driver in the 1990’s, Ayrton Senna is also done well. It is short mainly because Senna died in a 1994 crash. Then there are the two current superstars, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Their personalities and excellence on the road are both well-written and compelling reading.
As good as these are, however, the best parts of the book are when Robinson and Clegg are writing about the business side of the sport, complete with complex rule changes, back-room dealings, television contracts that are written mainly to only line the pockets of the leaders and so much more. Personalities here are described in even better prose than described above on the drivers. Enzo Ferrari, Bernie Ecclestone and Colin Chapman are just three of the many personalities that make F1 history fascinating, and the authors do a fantastic job of describing their influence on the sport.
The sport has also had various controversies through the years and some of the most bizarre ones are covered here as well. One that particularly caught my interest was “Spygate.” NFL fans may know about their own “Spygate” in which Bill Belichick was recording practice sessions of another team. That Spygate is mild compared to F1’s version. In that, a disgruntled engineer from Team Ferrari handed over documents to the McLaren engineering team that covered everything – something that nothing in American sports can compare to. Including the fines – the Patriots’ fine from the NFL is peanuts compared to what came down from F1 officials. There are other incidents, including a deliberate crash by a mediocre driver to allow his teammate to win a championship, that are mind-boggling and fantastic reading.
No matter your interest in F1, or even motorsports, this is a book that anyone will enjoy reading. Just like how Liberty Media, the latest owners of the F1 brand, made fans out of people who have never watched race thanks to a popular streaming show, this book may make a reader take interest in a sport that they may never have had any knowledge about before opening to the first page.
I wish to thank Mariner Books for providing a review copy. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
This book, as the authors state in the beginning, is not a detailed history of the sport in which race results are chronicled, drivers and crews are not provided detailed biographies and details about season results are not recapped here. Instead, this book provides many excellent stories and illustrations on the business side of the sport from its early history to its current popularity that has grown from the Netflix exposure.
While biographies are not a main source of information in this book, the authors do a terrific job of portraying some of the biggest names in the sport, both on the business side and some of its most famous drivers. For the latter, there is an entire chapter on Michael Schumacher, considered by some to be the greatest driver in the history of F1. A good portrait of the best driver in the 1990’s, Ayrton Senna is also done well. It is short mainly because Senna died in a 1994 crash. Then there are the two current superstars, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Their personalities and excellence on the road are both well-written and compelling reading.
As good as these are, however, the best parts of the book are when Robinson and Clegg are writing about the business side of the sport, complete with complex rule changes, back-room dealings, television contracts that are written mainly to only line the pockets of the leaders and so much more. Personalities here are described in even better prose than described above on the drivers. Enzo Ferrari, Bernie Ecclestone and Colin Chapman are just three of the many personalities that make F1 history fascinating, and the authors do a fantastic job of describing their influence on the sport.
The sport has also had various controversies through the years and some of the most bizarre ones are covered here as well. One that particularly caught my interest was “Spygate.” NFL fans may know about their own “Spygate” in which Bill Belichick was recording practice sessions of another team. That Spygate is mild compared to F1’s version. In that, a disgruntled engineer from Team Ferrari handed over documents to the McLaren engineering team that covered everything – something that nothing in American sports can compare to. Including the fines – the Patriots’ fine from the NFL is peanuts compared to what came down from F1 officials. There are other incidents, including a deliberate crash by a mediocre driver to allow his teammate to win a championship, that are mind-boggling and fantastic reading.
No matter your interest in F1, or even motorsports, this is a book that anyone will enjoy reading. Just like how Liberty Media, the latest owners of the F1 brand, made fans out of people who have never watched race thanks to a popular streaming show, this book may make a reader take interest in a sport that they may never have had any knowledge about before opening to the first page.
I wish to thank Mariner Books for providing a review copy. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
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October 2, 2024blows a kiss to george russell's jawbone. this was genuinely so fascinating
September 14, 2025
Перед прочитанням книги, у мене був страх що автори просто перекажуть найвідоміші момент з історії Формули-1, які відомі загалу (чи просто будь-якому фанату автоспорту) і на цьому все.
Але що сподобалось, то це те, що книга відповідає своєму опису, автори не намагались зациклюватися чи відволікатись на інші окремі аспекти від її головної теми, натомість вони чітко і по справі окреслили головні моменти, які й привели Формулу-1 до того виду, який вона має сьогодні.
Але що сподобалось, то це те, що книга відповідає своєму опису, автори не намагались зациклюватися чи відволікатись на інші окремі аспекти від її головної теми, натомість вони чітко і по справі окреслили головні моменти, які й привели Формулу-1 до того виду, який вона має сьогодні.
November 26, 2025
(3.0) so other than doing a passable Jackie Stewart impression and knowing who Mario Andretti was I knew
Zero about F1…that even its name comes from the title of the rulebook…oh and that Mario Andretti was American..
The book does a good job of moving from engines and engineers to entrepreneurs, entertainment, and the drivers..
Zero about F1…that even its name comes from the title of the rulebook…oh and that Mario Andretti was American..
The book does a good job of moving from engines and engineers to entrepreneurs, entertainment, and the drivers..
December 30, 2025
I like F1 🥹👍
Very interesting history-wise I learned a lot and I feel qualified to talk about F1 now 😖🏁
Very interesting history-wise I learned a lot and I feel qualified to talk about F1 now 😖🏁
August 30, 2025
Its everything that authors promise on the cover. Its about rouges of F1, the Bullies, the Heroes, The stars, The people who work in the shadows and side lines and more. It reads like a thriller and keeps you hooked every page. The inside stories, the coups, the deals, the punts and the risk and the non chalance its all there.
The F1 that did not give a damn about a drivers life to F1 that would comprise on speed over safety its been one hell of a journey and absolutely riveting story. From the Man behind the team to the car to the driver to the team to the driver - heroes of the sport have changed over time but what remains is the thrill and pace of it.
if there is one book you want to read about the sport make it this one. All major players be it team principals, CEO, drivers or key technical people are featured along with their rise and fall and the whole journey in between.
Absolutely riveting, its the view from the paddock.
Go for it.
The F1 that did not give a damn about a drivers life to F1 that would comprise on speed over safety its been one hell of a journey and absolutely riveting story. From the Man behind the team to the car to the driver to the team to the driver - heroes of the sport have changed over time but what remains is the thrill and pace of it.
if there is one book you want to read about the sport make it this one. All major players be it team principals, CEO, drivers or key technical people are featured along with their rise and fall and the whole journey in between.
Absolutely riveting, its the view from the paddock.
Go for it.
February 9, 2025
I am unabashedly a Formula 1 fan. I never ever thought I would say that, but here we are. Like so many fans new to the sport, I got sucked in by Drive to Survive on Netflix and binge-watched the sixth season right before the start of the 2024 F1 season. And I was DESPERATE for more F1 content.
So, I started watching the races. Fast forward to the end of the 2024 season and I watched almost every single qualifying and race live, no matter what time it started ET, and many of the Free Practice sessions as well. I consumed prerace interviews, postrace interviews, and race analysis as well as devoured F1 gossip (y'all, the drama is REAL). I follow drivers, teams, and pocasts on instagram, and am attending my first race this year in Montreal.
All of this is to say that we are two months after the end of the 2024 season and still 5 weeks from the start of the 2025 season (only 3 week from preseason testing and 4 weeks from new Drive to Survive though), and I needed something to tide me over.
And, as a new fan, I am curious to learn more about the history of the sport. The famous drivers of the past, and how we got from an obscure sport only open to the wealthy to the fastest growing sport in the world.
Perfect time to pick up The Formula: How Rogues, Geniuses, and Speed Freaks Reengineered F1 into the World's Fastest-Growing Sport. The authors take us through the history of F1, only in loose chronological order, but the real focus is moving from one barrier-breaking person to the next until we hit present day.
I had of course heard of many of the drivers (Senna, Proust, Schumacher), was aware of the cheating scandals (Spygate and Crashgate), understand that Williams and McClaren were powerhouses of the past (and I am convinced McLaren is on the rise and have medium-sized hopes for Williams this year), and knew enough to be wary of Briatore and in awe of the genius of Newey.
But I learned so much more. Also, were we all aware of Bernie Ecclestone but me? This guy is a CHARACTER. Like, not in a good way. He basically ran F1 like a mob boss and gaslit everyone about it. I honestly do not know whether to be impressed or appalled. Appallingly impressed?
Either way, the book was fascinating! Albeit (due to no fault of the authors) a book of all white men until Lewis Hamilton enters the scene in 2007. And, even then, all men.
I do wish my favorite sport were more diverse, but the first female race engineer is entering the grid in 2025 and I have already started fangirling. Maybe we can get a book update with Laura Mueller and my my other crush, Susie Wolff, and throw in the F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling for good measure.
Well, that was a rambling review that was mainly just about my love of F1, but if you are also a new fan looking to better understand the history of the sport, then I recommend this book!
And now I am off to watch Senna on Netflix.
So, I started watching the races. Fast forward to the end of the 2024 season and I watched almost every single qualifying and race live, no matter what time it started ET, and many of the Free Practice sessions as well. I consumed prerace interviews, postrace interviews, and race analysis as well as devoured F1 gossip (y'all, the drama is REAL). I follow drivers, teams, and pocasts on instagram, and am attending my first race this year in Montreal.
All of this is to say that we are two months after the end of the 2024 season and still 5 weeks from the start of the 2025 season (only 3 week from preseason testing and 4 weeks from new Drive to Survive though), and I needed something to tide me over.
And, as a new fan, I am curious to learn more about the history of the sport. The famous drivers of the past, and how we got from an obscure sport only open to the wealthy to the fastest growing sport in the world.
Perfect time to pick up The Formula: How Rogues, Geniuses, and Speed Freaks Reengineered F1 into the World's Fastest-Growing Sport. The authors take us through the history of F1, only in loose chronological order, but the real focus is moving from one barrier-breaking person to the next until we hit present day.
I had of course heard of many of the drivers (Senna, Proust, Schumacher), was aware of the cheating scandals (Spygate and Crashgate), understand that Williams and McClaren were powerhouses of the past (and I am convinced McLaren is on the rise and have medium-sized hopes for Williams this year), and knew enough to be wary of Briatore and in awe of the genius of Newey.
But I learned so much more. Also, were we all aware of Bernie Ecclestone but me? This guy is a CHARACTER. Like, not in a good way. He basically ran F1 like a mob boss and gaslit everyone about it. I honestly do not know whether to be impressed or appalled. Appallingly impressed?
Either way, the book was fascinating! Albeit (due to no fault of the authors) a book of all white men until Lewis Hamilton enters the scene in 2007. And, even then, all men.
I do wish my favorite sport were more diverse, but the first female race engineer is entering the grid in 2025 and I have already started fangirling. Maybe we can get a book update with Laura Mueller and my my other crush, Susie Wolff, and throw in the F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling for good measure.
Well, that was a rambling review that was mainly just about my love of F1, but if you are also a new fan looking to better understand the history of the sport, then I recommend this book!
And now I am off to watch Senna on Netflix.
February 23, 2025
had so much more fun with this than i expected. managed to struck a perfect balance between entertaining and informational. my concern going in was that i would end up caring more about some chapters, while struggling to get through some others - and while, yes, some chapters wade more into the technical & business side of things, it didn’t put me through a slog. in fact, i think it made me consider stuff that i hadn’t questioned about the sport before. i appreciate that it never really loses sight of its own central theme: f1’s ability to reinvent itself time and time again, accommodating for new audiences and new circumstances, for better or for worse.
idk how interesting this could be for long-time fans, but i started properly watching races only last year, so it filled in some gaps in knowledge. overall, very digestible, especially for a book that spans the history of a very eventful 70 year sport.
idk how interesting this could be for long-time fans, but i started properly watching races only last year, so it filled in some gaps in knowledge. overall, very digestible, especially for a book that spans the history of a very eventful 70 year sport.
August 29, 2024
Before I got ahold of this book, I considered Formula 1 to be a playground for a bunch of rich a-holes. My local booksellers encouraged me to think with an open mind and take a look. Now I think that this is a very entertaining book about a bunch of rich a-holes. The technical stuff gets a little hard to follow, and this particular sport just doesn't register the way others do, primarily because it doesn't feel very relatable or within my price range. But the authors play out the history and behind the scenes drama well. I'm glad I read it. Everyone...trust your booksellers!! They are good people.
January 1, 2026
I listened to this on audiobook, and honestly, I thought it was really interesting. I definitely learned a lot, especially about the history of Formula One and how the sport became what it is today. As someone who already loves F1, it was cool to actually understand more of the behind-the-scenes stuff instead of just watching the races.
That said, some of the chapters felt really long, and there were a few parts where I was like… did we really need to spend this much time on this? Maybe that’s just me, but it did drag a bit in places. Still, I can’t say it wasn’t informative.
Also the narrator’s way of pronouncing Max Verstappen’s name absolutely sent me every single time. Like, it fully took me out for a second whenever he said it 😭
Overall though, I’m glad I listened. I learned a lot and I always appreciate getting more context and history behind the sport I’m obsessed with. Definitely worth it if you’re into F1, just be ready for some long chapters.
That said, some of the chapters felt really long, and there were a few parts where I was like… did we really need to spend this much time on this? Maybe that’s just me, but it did drag a bit in places. Still, I can’t say it wasn’t informative.
Also the narrator’s way of pronouncing Max Verstappen’s name absolutely sent me every single time. Like, it fully took me out for a second whenever he said it 😭
Overall though, I’m glad I listened. I learned a lot and I always appreciate getting more context and history behind the sport I’m obsessed with. Definitely worth it if you’re into F1, just be ready for some long chapters.
August 20, 2025
Such an entertaining read and frankly another point in favor of journalists writing non-fiction. The authors impressively navigated decades worth of development, conflict, and technicals to make something super readable to a non-fan like myself. Obviously, learned plenty, but had the absolute most fun reading about the backdoor dealings and power struggles that determined the fate fo the sport and SPYGATE (and, to a lesser extent, CRASHGATE). The only point against the book is the obligatory Brad Pitt/F1 movie. It actually is not obligatory. Didn’t need to be there. They should have mentioned Tom Cruise instead, just for fun.
Really looking forward to reading their other book soon, and to watch my very first F1 race in the fall.
Really looking forward to reading their other book soon, and to watch my very first F1 race in the fall.
September 5, 2024
3.5 stars rounded down
Read
January 3, 2025first book of 2025🥳
January 14, 2025
Really enjoyed learning about the history, scandals, and past main characters of f1!! The only part that I didn’t enjoy as much was some of the chapters that focused heavily on the business side of things. Overall good read.
January 20, 2025
spygate chapter was so tea….i love a good scandal
August 27, 2025
Яка пр��красно жива книжка про пристрасті доволі закритого, а тепер дуже відкритого спорту. Стільки інтриг, стільки драм, стільки різноманітно специфічних особистостей. Наче читала захопливий серіал з кримінально-шпигунськими сценами. Для людини, яка бачила боліди на наклейках чи у фільмах, і якось відшивала пікапера перед київським салоном Феррарі все було дуже-дуже цікаво.
Плани на майбутнє:
1. Подивитися серіал
2. Обрати, за кого вболівати
3. Полайкати песичка Леклера
Плани на майбутнє:
1. Подивитися серіал
2. Обрати, за кого вболівати
3. Полайкати песичка Леклера
April 7, 2025
You can definitely tell the authors are WSJ reporters… a lot of corny metaphors. But overall great book about the history/scandals/business of F1
April 24, 2024
Loved reading about the Senna, Schumacher and Alonso vs Hamilton years!!
A*u Dh*bi 2021 was as painful to read as it was to live through on live TV...I will simply never, ever get over it. Fuck Michael Masi.
Now that I know Liberty Media are responsible for getting rid of The Chain, it's on sight X
-1 star for the last quarter
A*u Dh*bi 2021 was as painful to read as it was to live through on live TV...I will simply never, ever get over it. Fuck Michael Masi.
Now that I know Liberty Media are responsible for getting rid of The Chain, it's on sight X
-1 star for the last quarter
November 29, 2025
I went into this book fully expecting to land on 3 stars, but it kept pulling me back in and ended up earning a 4.
The storytelling is genuinely gripping in large chunks—especially the deep dive into Bernie Ecclestone’s wild empire-building years and the fascinating handoff to Liberty Media. Those sections are sharp, dramatic, and packed with details I hadn’t fully appreciated before, even as someone who lived through the era. The author has a real knack for turning boardroom battles and commercial manoeuvring into page-turners, which is no small feat.
As a die-hard Schumacher-era fan, I’ll admit a lot of the on-track history felt like familiar territory. Very few “new” anecdotes surfaced for me personally, and the final stretch of the book—mostly the post-2017 Netflix/Drive-to-Survive boom—started to drag and repeat points that have been covered endlessly elsewhere. That’s where it lost a bit of momentum.
After finishing the book, I had two clear 4-star elements (narration strength + Bernie-to-Liberty transition) and two 3-star elements (familiarity for old-school fans will feel + the sluggish ending) in mind. That averages out to 3.5, and when forced to pick an integer on Goodreads I’m happily rounding up. If you’re newer to F1 or particularly interested in the business and American-side growth story, this will easily feel like a 5-star read. For grizzled veterans like me, it’s still comfortably worth 4.
Highly recommended for anyone curious about how F1 went from niche European circus to global entertainment juggernaut.
The storytelling is genuinely gripping in large chunks—especially the deep dive into Bernie Ecclestone’s wild empire-building years and the fascinating handoff to Liberty Media. Those sections are sharp, dramatic, and packed with details I hadn’t fully appreciated before, even as someone who lived through the era. The author has a real knack for turning boardroom battles and commercial manoeuvring into page-turners, which is no small feat.
As a die-hard Schumacher-era fan, I’ll admit a lot of the on-track history felt like familiar territory. Very few “new” anecdotes surfaced for me personally, and the final stretch of the book—mostly the post-2017 Netflix/Drive-to-Survive boom—started to drag and repeat points that have been covered endlessly elsewhere. That’s where it lost a bit of momentum.
After finishing the book, I had two clear 4-star elements (narration strength + Bernie-to-Liberty transition) and two 3-star elements (familiarity for old-school fans will feel + the sluggish ending) in mind. That averages out to 3.5, and when forced to pick an integer on Goodreads I’m happily rounding up. If you’re newer to F1 or particularly interested in the business and American-side growth story, this will easily feel like a 5-star read. For grizzled veterans like me, it’s still comfortably worth 4.
Highly recommended for anyone curious about how F1 went from niche European circus to global entertainment juggernaut.
August 3, 2025
4.5 stars // As someone who just recently got into F1, and finds it fascinating because it’s run so differently from any other sport, this was a comprehensive and entertaining book that gave a good overview of how F1 has grown to become what it is today.
The book does a good job explaining how some of the top teams started and how they became dominant throughout history. All the controversies in recent times, especially spygate, was also fascinating as this was something I had never heard of despite it being such a huge thing at the time it actually happened.
I think the most interesting aspect of the book is how it highlights F1 being known for its glamour and luxury but historically has been on the brink of going broke and completely nonexistent until recently. And how they have finally learned to strike a balance and decrease the exclusivity that makes it feel like your average person can attain F1 to a certain degree but leaves them desiring more which keeps the fans and viewers coming back.
The only downside to this book is some of the technical stuff can be hard to follow since it isn’t fully explained in detail and it was confusing at one point to remember all the rich, behind the scenes people’s names and positions.
Listened to the audiobook which I highly recommend as it was narrated well and felt like a podcast.
The book does a good job explaining how some of the top teams started and how they became dominant throughout history. All the controversies in recent times, especially spygate, was also fascinating as this was something I had never heard of despite it being such a huge thing at the time it actually happened.
I think the most interesting aspect of the book is how it highlights F1 being known for its glamour and luxury but historically has been on the brink of going broke and completely nonexistent until recently. And how they have finally learned to strike a balance and decrease the exclusivity that makes it feel like your average person can attain F1 to a certain degree but leaves them desiring more which keeps the fans and viewers coming back.
The only downside to this book is some of the technical stuff can be hard to follow since it isn’t fully explained in detail and it was confusing at one point to remember all the rich, behind the scenes people’s names and positions.
Listened to the audiobook which I highly recommend as it was narrated well and felt like a podcast.
January 14, 2026
I love gossip and drama about my favourite sport, car-go-fast.
- Some of the stories about how the sport operated in the early days were jaw-dropping. These guys were just doing whatever and killing whoever.
- Amazed by how much power and influence Ecclestone was able to gain and wield for so long. Just conflicts of interest all the way down. Must have been satisfying to fire him!
- Very interesting read about the changes since Liberty bought Formula One Group/summarily dumped Bernie in 2017 and how it opened up the sport - I'm definitely a beneficiary of that as someone who got into F1 via instagram reels. "Post-sport sport" does ring true - I was pretty adamant I'd never watch a race when I first got into it. (Didn't last of course)
- Glad to feel vindicated that my gut instinct that Ferrari has always been a mess was true, actual successes notwithstanding.
- Littly cunty aside about how the only issue Red Bull had in the modern era was Verstappen gaining ~5kg during the winter breaks was weird and felt out of place, but maybe when he dominating the sport over 2022-2023 that was the only news around?
- Didn't know Guenther Steiner was at Jaguar/Red Bull before picking up the phone and calling Gene a million times at Haas. One of the many foul-mouthed shouty men in the sweary-screamy-man sport.
- Some of the stories about how the sport operated in the early days were jaw-dropping. These guys were just doing whatever and killing whoever.
- Amazed by how much power and influence Ecclestone was able to gain and wield for so long. Just conflicts of interest all the way down. Must have been satisfying to fire him!
- Very interesting read about the changes since Liberty bought Formula One Group/summarily dumped Bernie in 2017 and how it opened up the sport - I'm definitely a beneficiary of that as someone who got into F1 via instagram reels. "Post-sport sport" does ring true - I was pretty adamant I'd never watch a race when I first got into it. (Didn't last of course)
- Glad to feel vindicated that my gut instinct that Ferrari has always been a mess was true, actual successes notwithstanding.
- Littly cunty aside about how the only issue Red Bull had in the modern era was Verstappen gaining ~5kg during the winter breaks was weird and felt out of place, but maybe when he dominating the sport over 2022-2023 that was the only news around?
- Didn't know Guenther Steiner was at Jaguar/Red Bull before picking up the phone and calling Gene a million times at Haas. One of the many foul-mouthed shouty men in the sweary-screamy-man sport.
March 24, 2025
i liked the writing a lot and i learned so much but i just found the end to lose the level of intensity it had at the start? maybe it’s because im familiar with this stuff and the present time but i thought it started MUCH stronger than the last two chapters. still SO good if you love f1 and highly recommend esp for newer fans like me who want to know more of the history
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