F1 Mavericks: The Men and Machines that Revolutionized Formula 1 Racing

by Pete Biro, George Levy, Niki Lauda (Afterword)

F1 Mavericks is the story of the grandest, most influential, and most fondly remembered era in Formula 1 racing as seen through the lens of master motorsports photographer, Pete Biro.

The period from 1960 to 1982 saw the greatest technological changes in the history of Formula 1 racing: the transition from front engines to rear engines, narrow-threaded tires, massive racing slicks, zero downforce, and neck-shredding ground effects—and, of course, a staggering increase in performance and reduction in lap times. In short, the period saw the creation of the modern Formula 1 car.

This is also the time when legendary names who defined F1 were out in full force: Jim Clark, Jack Brabham, Dan Gurney, Sir Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, Niki Lauda, James Hunt, Bruce McLaren, Jody Scheckter. We’ll see and meet all of them. But F1 Mavericks also focuses on the designers and engineers behind the cars—men like Colin Chapman, Sir Patrick Head, Maurice Philippe, Franco Rochhi, Gordon Murray, and many others. We’ll hear directly from many of them, including a foreword from 1978 F1 World Champion, Mario Andretti.

Every chapter is a photographic account of key races throughout the period, supplemented with sidebars featuring key designers and technologies, like wings, ground effects, slick tires, turbochargers, and the Brabham “fan” suction car. F1 Mavericks is an international story, and includes loads of information on designs from Japan (Honda), Britain (McLaren, Tyrrell, Cooper, BRM) Italy (Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo), France (Matra, Ligier, Renault), Germany (Porsche, BMW) and the United States (Eagle, Shadow, Penske, Parnelli).

Strap yourself in for the story of the greatest era in Formula 1 racing—it's all here in F1 Mavericks.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports

240 pages, Hardcover

First published June 11, 2019

Reviews

[brian5000watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

As others have mentioned it encompasses a lot of F1 history, but for me it does so in a way that is slightly frustrating. All the big topics are covered but make way for lesser important ones which subsequently end up feeling barely touched upon. A newcomer to F1 may better appreciate further detail on the large topics and the omission of lesser ones entirely, which they'll invariably encounter should they be motivated to immerse themselves in the sport more deeply.

There is an implicit bias towards English teams and Anglo drivers which is unfortunately expected from the American perspective, but it still delivers on its purpose as a first look into this period of F1 for those who are otherwise ignorant.

I like the focus on the engineers and their advancements for the discipline over solely focusing on drivers, even if at times it does make the drivers that do get some fair attention a bit cherry picked for anyone with a pre existing context of this era.

The pictures are excellent, really really excellent, but the captions left (at least) me wanting more. Details like date, race location, and car model are often omitted while things like driver information are almost always included which provides a bit of dissonance as drivers are not the point of the book. Still, the pictures are very good and probably all most people will look at given the coffee table format.

Ken Tyrell who I think is often overlooked is given the reverence deserved.

Overall worth the read, even if just as a refresher for those who are somewhat familiar with this time period.

[Craig Beyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biro’s book is a “must-read” for Formula 1 fans. He presents the history of the key innovations in F1 from the 1960’s through the end of the first turbo engine era. He describes the results of the innovations on the F1 race and season results. And he has exceptional photos of the key people in F1 in that era, including the drivers and designers, like Moss, Stewart, Laura, Clark, and the champions and race winners. The interviews with the F1 Mavericks—like Gordon Murray, Jackie Stewart, Mario Andretti, John Barnard, etc.—are fascinating in the details of the designs, the design problems, and the solutions to those problems; these interviews answer many of the “why did you do that” questions about race car design, driving problems, and F1 series issues. As a long-time fan, especially having lived through that era as a fan, this is an incredible book.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently jumped on the F1 bandwagon after watching Drive to Survive (what's new?) and I was curious to find out more about F1's history. I think this book did a neat job giving a broad overview of the major constructors, drivers, engineers, etc during the 1960s-1980s. I loved the photos of the earlier car designs, drivers and races; it was so much easier to visualize all the major changes to the cars that came about during this time. Some of those old cars looked so cool. And that's the thing...the coolness factor of it all during this era was just through the roof.

[Shon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, lots of great photos, well laid out. The book explored an era of racing far different from the current era, a time that had a lot more of two things: innovation and danger. For a Formula One fan like me it was great.

[Len · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author even wisely includes a profile of Jim Hall, who revolutionized F1 without being an entrant!

[Orlando Arjona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with iconic photos and stories from the greatest F1 era: 1958 to 1982.

[DOUG STOKES]

Pete Biro passed away on 24 December ... condolences to his family, friends, and legions of fans of his work ... for what it's worth ... here's my note:

He was an amazingly nice man ... proud of his work, but even more proud of the multitude of friendships that he shared across the wide world of motor racing and magic.

He always had a smile for me, it was a bit crooked at times, it was like: "... Stokes, what the hell are you talking about?", which he never said aloud; but I knew full well he was thinking.

His photography framed a huge amount of my world for untold years and just one of his tiniest, quickest now-you-thought-you-saw it slight-of-hand throwaways kept my head spinning for hours after he tossed it at me with a quick wave of his hand. It was soundless music.

Pete Biro's photographic work simply stands for itself, it's the record of the time. And, like all great work it has now outpaced the man who created it.

Damn right: he'll be missed dearly, but he'll be remembered even more.

Thanks Pete, an honor (and a big smile) to know ya.

-Doug Stokes
12.27.18

I've not seen this book yet but long knowing that Pete and George are two of the very best, my expectations for this book run very high ... Pete's wry smile and quick wit will be greatly missed, but we all get to keep and enjoy his distinctly personal work.