How to Build a Car by Adrian Newey

Adrian Newey’s How to Build a Car is not just about designing Formula 1 cars—it’s also a look into his life and career. The book shares his journey as one of the most successful F1 engineers, showing how he created legendary cars for teams like March, Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull. It’s packed with his personal stories and the challenges he faced both in his work and personal life.

Newey explains the technical details of his designs in a way that’s easy to understand, without turning it into a dry textbook. He shares his creative process, like how he discovered new aerodynamic solutions, and gives a glimpse into his life during the highs and lows of his career. He also talks about his relationships with famous drivers like Mario Andretti, Alain Prost, and Sebastian Vettel, offering behind-the-scenes insights.

The book also covers personal topics, like the impact of Ayrton Senna’s death on Newey and how it affected his work. He’s honest about his struggles, including times when his personal life made it difficult to focus on his work.

Unfiltered: My Incredible Decade in Formula 1 by Guenther Steiner

Guenther Steiner’s latest book, Unfiltered: My Incredible Decade in Formula 1, gives fans a fascinating glimpse into his time as Haas F1 team principal. Written after his departure from the team at the end of 2023, the book is full of stories about the highs, lows, and everything in between during his leadership of one of F1’s most talked-about teams.

Steiner doesn’t use the book to point fingers or hold grudges, even though his relationship with team owner Gene Haas became strained over the years. Instead, he keeps things fair, even sharing the surprising moment he was let go—while standing at the deli counter of an Italian supermarket.

This book feels like a step up from his first, Surviving to Drive, which was more of a diary about one chaotic season. Unfiltered looks at his entire journey with Haas, from their first race in 2016 to the challenges that defined the team in its later years. Steiner recounts memorable moments like Kevin Magnussen’s famous door-smashing in 2019 and the Nikita Mazepin drama in 2022 with honesty and humor.

What makes the book special is Steiner’s candid style. He’s not afraid to share the team’s struggles, his thoughts on controversial moments in F1, or how hard it was to keep Haas on track. His passion for the sport and his unique way of telling stories make this an easy and enjoyable read.

How to Win a Grand Prix by Bernie Collins

This book written by Bernie Collins gives readers an easy-to-understand look into the world of Formula 1. As one of the sport’s top engineers and strategists, Collins shares her knowledge of racing, from car design to race strategies and the roles of the teams that make it all happen.

Collins explains complex F1 topics in a way that’s simple and clear. She breaks down how cars are designed, how race strategies work, and how teams operate, making it easy for new fans to follow. At the same time, she includes interesting details that longtime fans will enjoy.

What makes this book even more inspiring is Collins’s journey as a woman in a male-dominated sport. She’s broken down many barriers in motorsports, and her story encourages more girls to think about careers in engineering, mechanics, and race strategy.

Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane by Matt Whyman

Published only this year, this book takes you behind the scenes of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1, one of the most dominant teams in F1 history. It reveals how the team became so successful, focusing on the leadership, the precision of their engineering, and the teamwork that led to many championships.

At the heart of the story is Toto Wolff, who not only invested in the team but also transformed it into a winning machine. His leadership style, strategic decisions, and ability to motivate his team are key reasons for Mercedes’s success. The book shows how his vision shaped the team’s culture and made them nearly unbeatable for over a decade.

Another highlight is the tribute to Lewis Hamilton, who played a crucial role in Mercedes’s dominance. The book dives into his hard work, leadership, and determination, which made him one of the greatest drivers in F1 history. It also reflects on his recent move to Ferrari, making this book a perfect way to celebrate his legacy with Mercedes.

The book explains how a modern F1 team operates, from building cars to making high-pressure decisions on race day. It also balances the technical side with the human stories, showing how innovation and teamwork come together to create success.

The Mechanic by Marc Priestley

The Mechanic is an honest and rare glimpse into the world of Formula 1, written by someone who worked behind the scenes at McLaren. Priestley shares his experiences as a mechanic and gives us an inside look at the chaos and excitement that comes with working in F1.

The book covers everything from wild parties to major controversies, making it a thrilling read for fans who want to know what really goes on in the paddock.

One of the biggest stories in the book is the Spygate scandal, where McLaren was fined $100 million for using Ferrari’s secrets. Priestley gives a first-hand account of how the scandal affected the team. He also tells crazy stories of life at McLaren, including over-the-top spending to improve car performance, and shocking tales of partying and mischief.

The book also includes interesting insights into the drivers Priestley worked with, like Kimi Raikkonen, David Coulthard, and Juan Pablo Montoya. But the most fascinating part is his view of the 2007 McLaren season, when the rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso nearly tore the team apart. Priestley’s unique position within the team gives readers a behind-the-scenes perspective on the drama.

Grand Prix: An Illustrated History of Formula 1 by Will Buxton

If you’re new to Formula 1 or know someone who’s just joined the fandom, Grand Prix written by Will Buxton is the perfect pick. This visually stunning book takes readers on a journey through the history of F1, covering its iconic moments, legendary drivers, and the innovations that have shaped the sport from the 1950s to today.

One of the best parts of the book is how it highlights key drivers from each decade. This gives readers a clear picture of how F1 has evolved over the years.

For long-time fans, Grand Prix is a wonderful mix of nostalgia and exciting stories, with amazing pictures that bring the sport’s history to life. Buxton’s energy and love for F1 come through on every page, making it easy to understand the sport on a deeper level.

Are you still not sure which gift to pick? Buy a voucher!

The F1 Gift Voucher is a great way to give the experience of a live Formula 1 race to someone special. You can buy the voucher for a friend, family member, or even as a treat for yourself.

The voucher is tied to a specific event, so it cannot be transferred to another one. You can purchase a voucher for the Spanish Grand Prix, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, the Austrian Grand Prix, the Hungarian Grand Prix, the Belgian Grand Prix, the Dutch Grand Prix or the Italian Grand Prix.

The voucher can be personalized with the recipient’s name when you print it, and it will be delivered as a downloadable PDF. It’s also valid for six months from the date of purchase, so plenty of time to choose the perfect ticket.