Life in the Fast Lane: The Definitive Text & Audiobook Companion

by Steve Matchett, Erin Hansman (Editor)

Life in the Fast Lane was originally published by Orion of London, back in 1994. Over the last twenty-five years the book has become a staple of Formula 1 literature. Those original Orion copies have now become expensive collectors' items. This new high-quality softcover edition allows readers to own a copy of this groundbreaking work at a most affordable price. In essence, Matchett's story is a monthly diary of a Benetton grand prix mechanic. This essential book gives a behind-the-scenes account of the daily life inside the trenches of F1, each page written throughout the tragic and turbulent 1994 season. The author’s unique view alone makes this book indispensable reading for any serious motor racing enthusiast but Life in the Fast Lane is much more than an informative diary of this highly exclusive, multimillion dollar its remarkable insider setting, its exceptional subject matter, its unfolding tension, its ease of narration... all of these thrilling ingredients have been wonderfully blended to produce a truly captivating page-turner. From January through to December, the enthralled reader is simply compelled to follow the author’s stunning racing year from start to finish. Written by popular Formula 1 television personality and audiobook narrator, Steve Matchett, Life in the Fast Lane proved an immediate success; a catalyst carrying the author from the F1 pit lane to America, working with FOX and NBC television, a commentary position from where he has called all the live grand prix racing action for the past twenty years. When Matchett wrote Life in the Fast Lane, however, he was a member of the Benetton grand prix team, a Formula 1 race mechanic working alongside celebrities like Flavio Briatore, Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn. His fast-paced story of the frantic, unending backstage activity to become the fastest and best in the world gives a fascinating, unparalleled insight into Formula 1 during some of its darkest and most difficult days. Matchett was himself engulfed in the terrible fire in Hockenheim where Jos Verstappen’s race car dramatically exploded. In Life in the Fast Lane he reveals the full inside story of the momentous 1994 season, including the death of Ayrton Senna, the Hockenheim fuel fire, along with the numerous fines, penalties and disqualifications that embroiled the sport as the Benetton and Williams teams battled tooth and nail for the drivers’ and constructors’ world championships. The final showdown came in Adelaide, Australia, the last race of the year, complete with that controversial title-deciding racing collision between Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2018

About the author

Steve Matchett was a commentator for American cable TV on various F1 programs. Prior to that, he was a mechanic with Bennetton Formula Ltd.
He has published a semi-autobiographical trilogy based around his years in the F1 pit lane.
-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Teena A. Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this account of F1 racing from the perspective of a "mechanic". I place the title in quotes because this insight is much more. This book is as entertaining as it is informative. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in auto racing.

[Frieda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I now want to watch all of 1994's races again. It was my first year out of school and I was so excited about life. It was also such a gut-wrenching season.

I really enjoyed this POV as, as a fan, one tends to think of the team as a whole and not individuals within a group.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book!! Well spoken and thoroughly enjoyed... Steve Matchett truly unleashes the world of Formula 1 mechanics

[Chris Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good

Good but not great. Parts were pretty boring. More detail on the mechanics of putting a car together would have been enlightening.

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's a year in the life of a F1 mechanic working for Benetton in 1994. I'm only a casual F1 fan, even so found it fascinating.