There are over eight billion people in the world and only 22 of them are Formula 1 drivers. In this phenomenally brilliant book, Rachel Brookes dissects and explains what the elite few need, in order to have the chance of becoming one of those 22.

I had the pleasure of bumping into Rachel when I was fighting the crowds in the pit lane walk at Suzuka two weeks ago and I can confirm that she is as genuinely lovely as she appears on screen. I started reading this book in between sessions at the circuit; swipe ⬅️ for race weekend pics.

You could be forgiven for thinking that F1 Racing Drive is about Rachel’s life and career in the paddock, especially as
several F1 journalists, pundits, presenters and drivers have published books in recent years, but actually, the only reference to her own personal life and experience is her decision to obtain her racing licence and compete, to enable her to really get a feel of what it’s like to be on a racing track driving a single seater. So for me, this book stands a head taller than the rest because Rachel is right there, in the thick of it, race weekend after race weekend. She tackles some of the most difficult driver interviews with incredible skill; sometimes they are on a high, but then there are the drivers who have had a terrible weekend and just don’t want to be interviewed. They are sometimes snarky, angry and can be really awkward. If it was me? I’d probably cry and run away, but Rachel holds her nerve and draws as much as she can out of them, without pushing too hard. That’s a real skill and where she talks about race craft in the book, it makes me think of her own talent at her craft; getting into the heads of these elite 22 and their team bosses, to understand what sets them apart from the rest.

In this book, Rachel shares the incredible amount of technical and strategic knowledge she has accumulated, combined with her unparalleled insight into the mind of a Formula 1 driver. Alongside this, there are exclusive interviews by our F1 Interview Queen with drivers (past and present) and team personnel, and a collection of stunning photographs.

If you are an F1 fan, whether you’re new to the sport, or whether, like me, you’ve been following F1 for more than 30 years, you’re going to want to read this fabulous book.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Rachel Brookes and Michael O’Mara for an ARC of this book.

Do you believe that Formula 1 is just about going as fast as you can? Think again.

Longtime Formula 1 presenter for Sky Sports 1, Rachel Brookes takes us inside the world of the racers and everyone who makes the end product happen. Filled with interviews with past drivers, current drivers, and team principals, F1 Racing: Drive is a masterclass in learning what it takes to be a champion.

As someone who just got into the sport in the past 6 months, and has been binging the Netflix series, this book gave me a deeper appreciation of the complexities of Formula 1. My mind is still reeling at all of the calculations that go into even the most minute detail.

Longtime fans and new ones will both be captivated by this book that will be a staple in home libraries and Formula 1 paddocks alike.

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael O'Mara Limited I Michael O'Mara for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.