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F1: The Pinnacle
With a foreword by Guenther Steiner - Team Principal of the Haas Formula One Team, Formula 1: The Pinnacle tracks a history of the changes which have taken F1 from its rudimentary beginnings to the exhilarating high octane spectacle it is today.
The biggest change in a generation is coming to F1 in 2022. Technical changes aimed at levelling the playing field for the teams combined with the sport’s tightening budget cap will make the races closer than ever. There will be more sprint races – trialled in 2021 – and greater fan interest driven by Netflix’s hugely successful ‘Drive to Survive’ series.
So, how did we get here? How did F1 become the acknowledged ‘Pinnacle of Motorsport’? Simon Arron and Tony Dodgins have identified the 100 most significant changes to the series since its inception in 1950. Formula One is unrecognizable from its debut season, where drivers raced around on old bomber training aerodrome in Northamptonshire with oil drums to mark the corners and straw bales the only concession to safety.
New fans will welcome a complete and highly illustrated guide to the history of F1, while older fans will be able to compare their own views of what were the pivotal moments of change, in a book written by experienced motoring writers with two lifetimes worth of knowledge of the sport.
The book will link technical progress with the personalities involved, indeed many of the swiftest changes have come about as a result of accidents or tragedies – the death of Roland Ratzenberger at Imola in 1994, the same weekend as Ayrton Senna, could have been avoided by the HANS safety device. The introduction of the halo saved Romain Grosjean’s life in Bahrain last year, but only came about because of the tragic accident that claimed Jules Bianchi in Japan.
Along with changes to circuits and the technology of the cars, this book highlights the commercial changes and the controversies that threatened to split the sport apart - such as the threat of breakaway series proposed at various times by teams.
A must-read for completists or for those new to the sport, F1: The Pinnacle is a fascinating insight into one of the most exciting and dangerous sports in the world.
The biggest change in a generation is coming to F1 in 2022. Technical changes aimed at levelling the playing field for the teams combined with the sport’s tightening budget cap will make the races closer than ever. There will be more sprint races – trialled in 2021 – and greater fan interest driven by Netflix’s hugely successful ‘Drive to Survive’ series.
So, how did we get here? How did F1 become the acknowledged ‘Pinnacle of Motorsport’? Simon Arron and Tony Dodgins have identified the 100 most significant changes to the series since its inception in 1950. Formula One is unrecognizable from its debut season, where drivers raced around on old bomber training aerodrome in Northamptonshire with oil drums to mark the corners and straw bales the only concession to safety.
New fans will welcome a complete and highly illustrated guide to the history of F1, while older fans will be able to compare their own views of what were the pivotal moments of change, in a book written by experienced motoring writers with two lifetimes worth of knowledge of the sport.
The book will link technical progress with the personalities involved, indeed many of the swiftest changes have come about as a result of accidents or tragedies – the death of Roland Ratzenberger at Imola in 1994, the same weekend as Ayrton Senna, could have been avoided by the HANS safety device. The introduction of the halo saved Romain Grosjean’s life in Bahrain last year, but only came about because of the tragic accident that claimed Jules Bianchi in Japan.
Along with changes to circuits and the technology of the cars, this book highlights the commercial changes and the controversies that threatened to split the sport apart - such as the threat of breakaway series proposed at various times by teams.
A must-read for completists or for those new to the sport, F1: The Pinnacle is a fascinating insight into one of the most exciting and dangerous sports in the world.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published July 5, 2022
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 24, 2024
A good book for Formula 1 newbies who want to understand the history of the sport and how it got to were it is, but also for F1 veterans who want to relive all the important events in F1. The nice part of the book is the classification of these events and some of them are truly interesting since negotiations and the conflicts that are described were secret in nature and we, the public did not get all the info at that time. The evolution of F1 from technical, commercial, and safety angles is interesting and unknown to most modern fans and this book can help get to the bottom of past events.
January 19, 2024
I loved this and I already plan to reread it.
May 19, 2022
As a huge Formula One fan I was super excited about this book and it provided everything I wanted
I loved how I learnt facts and stories from the past that I didn’t know happened. Of course there is some stories missing but with 20+ races each year, it would be hard to include everything in one book
It had great imagery and quotes direct from drivers
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy of this book
I loved how I learnt facts and stories from the past that I didn’t know happened. Of course there is some stories missing but with 20+ races each year, it would be hard to include everything in one book
It had great imagery and quotes direct from drivers
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy of this book
June 5, 2022
F1: The Pinnacle by Simon Arron is an ideal book for anyone with an interest in Formula 1 racing, from diehard fan to casual newcomer. I fall somewhere in between and this helped fill in some of my gaps as well as renew my interest.
Like many people, my interest has often been tied to where in the world I was living at a given time. So for years I followed fairly closely while others I looked pretty much only at results. So for me parts of this book were nostalgic and some really opened my eyes.
While taken as a whole the history of F1 is here, it isn't written as a single history but as a lot of important events, as the subtitle mentions. But with the seven sections of the book (Sporting, Circuits, Technical, Controversies, Safety, Personalities, and Commercial) it is almost like getting seven histories of the sport, each from a different perspective.
The photography was wonderful and served well as support for the text. As I tend to do, I searched for quite a few names and events online to get even more information (and more pictures). This is not because the book didn't offer enough but because it piqued my curiosity about names and events that I knew little about.
Whether you're a lifelong fan or someone new to the sport, you will find a lot here to enjoy.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
Like many people, my interest has often been tied to where in the world I was living at a given time. So for years I followed fairly closely while others I looked pretty much only at results. So for me parts of this book were nostalgic and some really opened my eyes.
While taken as a whole the history of F1 is here, it isn't written as a single history but as a lot of important events, as the subtitle mentions. But with the seven sections of the book (Sporting, Circuits, Technical, Controversies, Safety, Personalities, and Commercial) it is almost like getting seven histories of the sport, each from a different perspective.
The photography was wonderful and served well as support for the text. As I tend to do, I searched for quite a few names and events online to get even more information (and more pictures). This is not because the book didn't offer enough but because it piqued my curiosity about names and events that I knew little about.
Whether you're a lifelong fan or someone new to the sport, you will find a lot here to enjoy.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
June 11, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I've even an f1 fan for almost 10 year now, so it was great to read a book that touches on some F1 facts. It's great for people who don't know a lot about f1 or older f1 fans to read about the sport. Of course it is hard to talk about a all the great drivers, I just feel it could've touched up on a couple more personalities in the sport or maybe mention all the world champions.
My favorite part were the images. It's always refreshing to see how the cars have changed through the years.
I've even an f1 fan for almost 10 year now, so it was great to read a book that touches on some F1 facts. It's great for people who don't know a lot about f1 or older f1 fans to read about the sport. Of course it is hard to talk about a all the great drivers, I just feel it could've touched up on a couple more personalities in the sport or maybe mention all the world champions.
My favorite part were the images. It's always refreshing to see how the cars have changed through the years.
May 25, 2022
Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC. Enjoyed this retrospective. I have been a F1 fan since childhood in the late 60's and 70's. I remember crushing on Jackie Ickx and the horrible Jochen Rindt accident. I remember how dangerous the races were. I am still a fan and have loved seeing safety and cars evolve over time. I grew up in Europe where F1 was always a fan favorite and am glad it is becoming more so in the US.
June 6, 2022
A very enjoyable book to read probably more so if you are an ardent F1 fan! I enjoyed the fact the book covered all things F1 from how it got from the original races to the series we now currently have and how the cars themselves developed over time too. Nice trip down memory lane too with the chapter on the F1 drivers, a fair number sadly no longer with us having perished pursuing the sport they loved.
August 31, 2022
Fabulous book for lovers of high-octane thrills and spills.
F1 has been on the calendar for a long time and this book comprehensively charts its history, looking at the drivers, circuits, controversies, characters, technology and a lot more.
Loads of pictures and history, referencing iconic drivers such as Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and Jim Clark, as well as the current icons including Lewis Hamilton.
The book also goes behind the scenes, looking at the backers and the politics. It makes for a fascinating read.
I was sent an ARC of this book by Quarto Publishing Group - Ivy Press, in return for an honest appraisal.
F1 has been on the calendar for a long time and this book comprehensively charts its history, looking at the drivers, circuits, controversies, characters, technology and a lot more.
Loads of pictures and history, referencing iconic drivers such as Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and Jim Clark, as well as the current icons including Lewis Hamilton.
The book also goes behind the scenes, looking at the backers and the politics. It makes for a fascinating read.
I was sent an ARC of this book by Quarto Publishing Group - Ivy Press, in return for an honest appraisal.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews