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Life in the Fast Lane: The Definitive Text & Audiobook Companion
Over the last twenty years Life in the Fast Lane has become a staple of Formula 1 literature. In essence a monthly diary of a Benetton grand prix mechanic, this essential book gives a behind-the-scenes account of daily life in 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 world: its remarkable insider setting, its exceptional subject matter, its unfolding tension, its ease of narration, all of these thrilling ingredients have been wonderfully blended, mixed 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 Steve Matchett, Life in the Fast Lane is Matchett’s first book – two more soon followed – and its immediate success proved the catalyst to take him from life in the F1 pit lane to life in America, working first with FOX and now with NBC television, a commentary position from where he has called all the live grand prix racing action for the past sixteen years.
When Matchett wrote Life in the Fast Lane, however, he was unknown outside of his highly technical clandestine industry; a Formula 1 race mechanic, a member of the Benetton grand prix team 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 the rear jack man in Benetton’s pit crew, and 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 and 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 still controversial title-deciding racing collision between Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill.
First edition hardback copies of this classic motor racing title have risen in value to become near unobtainable, expensive collectors items. Fortunately, this (Definitive Text & Audiobook Companion) edition for Kindle readers makes Life in the Fast Lane readily available to a whole new audience, and for a reassuringly affordable price.
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 world: its remarkable insider setting, its exceptional subject matter, its unfolding tension, its ease of narration, all of these thrilling ingredients have been wonderfully blended, mixed 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 Steve Matchett, Life in the Fast Lane is Matchett’s first book – two more soon followed – and its immediate success proved the catalyst to take him from life in the F1 pit lane to life in America, working first with FOX and now with NBC television, a commentary position from where he has called all the live grand prix racing action for the past sixteen years.
When Matchett wrote Life in the Fast Lane, however, he was unknown outside of his highly technical clandestine industry; a Formula 1 race mechanic, a member of the Benetton grand prix team 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 the rear jack man in Benetton’s pit crew, and 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 and 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 still controversial title-deciding racing collision between Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill.
First edition hardback copies of this classic motor racing title have risen in value to become near unobtainable, expensive collectors items. Fortunately, this (Definitive Text & Audiobook Companion) edition for Kindle readers makes Life in the Fast Lane readily available to a whole new audience, and for a reassuringly affordable price.
- GenresNonfictionSports
314 pages, Paperback
Published June 19, 2018
49 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Steve Matchett
19 books36 followersSteve 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
He has published a semi-autobiographical trilogy based around his years in the F1 pit lane.
-Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 14, 2020
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.
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.
December 22, 2021
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.
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.
September 29, 2019
Fantastic book!! Well spoken and thoroughly enjoyed... Steve Matchett truly unleashes the world of Formula 1 mechanics
June 4, 2023
pretty good
Good but not great. Parts were pretty boring. More detail on the mechanics of putting a car together would have been enlightening.
Good but not great. Parts were pretty boring. More detail on the mechanics of putting a car together would have been enlightening.
April 19, 2022
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.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews