This exhilarating, high-speed history of Formula 1 auto racing provides fans with insider access to the futuristic innovations, shrewd business strategies, and sensational scandals behind one of the world's most thrilling sports. The Formula: How Rogues, Geniuses, and Speed Freaks Reengineered F1 into the World's Fastest-Growing Sport is co-authored by European sports correspondent for the Wall Street Journal Joshua Robinson and Wall Street Journal sports editor Jonathan Clegg, who also collaborated on The Club.
The Formula tracks the franchise from when resourceful entrepreneur Bernie Ecclestone built the foundations of modern Formula 1 in the 1960s to the present-day experimental marketing strategies of Liberty Media that set the stage for the explosive refueling of a dormant American fanbase.
Robinson and Clegg declare that "F1 is as much a technology problem to be solved as it is a competition to be won," and they go on to showcase the many advancements dreamed up by each team's technological director, sometimes with a "level of computing power that would impress NASA."
Throughout the book, the authors share captivating anecdotes about a complicated and fascinating cast of characters. All the greats are here: legendary teams--Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull Racing--and drivers "without normal human fear receptors," such as Enzo Ferrari, Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen.
Robinson and Clegg narrate this history with great insight, humor, and--like the team engineers--much attention to detail. Long-time fans of the sport will find a great deal here to fill in any gaps in their knowledge, and newer converts will be inspired to immediately look up the next season's racing schedule. --Grace Rajendran, freelance reviewer