Member Reviews
This is a wonderful coffee table book for motorsport enthusiast or Formula 1 newcomers. Buxton outlines notable drivers, races, and constructors of each decade, and provides insightful historical anecdotes. His writing is accessible and approachable, especially for those without a large F1 background. I appreciated the care provided to include a diverse range of drivers and highlight female drivers who broke boundaries in the sport.
Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Really enjoyable book that is accessible for new fans, and interesting for long-time fans. Will Bixton breaks down the sport and history in a gorgeous way. Good coffee-table book.
What a truly fabulous book -- 5 Stars are not enough, in my opinion. I have been a fan of Will Buxton's work on TV and this book, for sure, does not disappoint. I learned so much about the sport I didn't know -- and I have been following F1 since the 1960's, literally. Beautifully illustrated and filled with great stories and loads of information -- this is a perfect gift for any fan of Motor Sports. I want it for myself, too !!!
Dear Santa, please ignore any naughty entries you may see -- I want this book for Christmas !!
An illustrated History of Formula 1 for fans of the sport and those who want to become one! Not only does it explain the basis of what you need to know but it also guides you through all the decades and drivers that shaped the sport and those who might be significant in the future! All in all very beautifully illustrated from the past to today.
Eine illustrierte Geschichte der Formel 1,für Fans des Sports und für die, die es noch werden wollen. Es werden nicht nur die Grundlagen erklärt,sondern man erhält einen guten Überblick über die Fahrer, die einzelne Jahrzehnte geprägt haben & es noch tun werden. Toll aufgemacht!
As someone new to Formula 1, this book gave me a great introduction to the sport. The first quarter of the book was probably my favorite as it went through some background and gave visuals of how the sport has changed over the years. After that, the book was organized by decade and highlighted some of the great drivers and races within each timeframe. I found the more recent years (especially the 2010s) the most interesting because I recognized many of the drivers names. It was really cool to be able to start putting faces to names for the drivers that I hear about, but are no longer racing.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about F1. Plus, who wouldn’t want this on their coffee table!
I received an eARC from NetGalley
Will Buxton is better known for his job as a pundit on F1TV's coverage, his commentary on Netflix's Drive To Survive or perhaps even that viral TikTok audio of him saying "Points are essential". But here, his job is that of taking us through the history of one of the most adrenaline inducing sports in the world.
Before I even start let me say that I am a big fan of Formula 1 and as a faithful subscriber of F1TV, Mr. Buxton is on my TV on every Grand Prix weekend. He is one of my favorite and his insights and commentary about the technical and inside team side of the sport are some of my favorite bits of the broadcast.
In this book, Buxton creates a guide and path to journey throughout the history of Formula 1. From its origins to the latest stars and inovations, here you will find the key aspects and moments that make Formula 1 the greatest spectacle on Earth.
We begin the book with a simple yet very detailed introduction to the format of Formula 1. Motorsports have different rules for each sport and the book is an amazing guide to all (or most) terms and rules you will find on a Grand Prix weekend. The illustrations help A LOT when it comes to the little detailes of the sport such as flags. I wish I had this book when I first discovered Formula 1.
Divided into decades, each part of the book take us into an overview of the developments and changes made in that time. Some special events and occurrencies, as well as the main drivers and figures from the decade. There's a summary of the best race in those ten years (which I started watching after reading this book), and of course, the teams -or constructors - that dominated each era of Formula 1.
From Senna to Verstappen, Prost to Hamilton and Mansel to Vettel, this book is truly a walk through time that book newbies to the sport and fans of all will love.
Will Buxton my fave!! I really adored this as a big fan of the sport. It would be a great intro to the sport and to the history/major players, but is great for seasoned fans too. And the illustrations are gorgeous!
a beautifully illustrated and laid out book. some bits were a bit repetitive, but otherwise, i really enjoyed the dive into f1 history.
First I am so bias because I am an adoring F1 fan! I follow Will on F1 TV as well as other avenues where he shares content. However I will still and FOREVER give an honest book review. So with that said I am a HUGE fan of this book. I think F1 Fans and Non-F1 Fans are going to love it! I love the full telling of the history of F1, from the start of F1 to what it is like today. The break down Will provides is both easy to comprehend from both sides of the fence as well as being incredibly insightful.
It isn't just about the history though. He shares in depth knowledge about how the sport works, some of the technical components without getting too far in the weeds, As well as sharing some of the ins and outs of how it's all ran, monitored and where all of it is heading for the future. The tech talks don't get too heavy you can't comprehend what he is discussing. He shares insightful information about the tracks, the teams and individual drives. I honestly would have loved to see even MORE about the drivers! I do love that he highlights a top race for the decade, top drivers from each and their impacts to the racing world! Also huge props for highlighting Susie Wolff and the women of the sport. It was great to see them mixed in and highlighted! The work the F1 community is doing to grow diversity in the sport is so big right now. It always needs a shoutout & more momentum!
Will I personally hope this becomes Volume I and you continue to create these! Adding more layers and knowledge to them with each passing decade! Especially once the 2026 season comes and goes. Not to mention 2025 is gearing up to be an eventful end for the field!
Thank you for sharing this will all F1 and non fans alike! I would recommend this for anyone with interest in the racing world or who wants to know more about F1 specifically!
Thank you to NetGallery and Ten Speed Press for the Early copy! It was an absolute honor!!
As requested I won't share a review publicly until the week of publication. I am including the link of where it will be below.
Thank you Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for the eARC of Grand Prix! All opinions in this review are my own.
Grand Prix is absolutely fascinating! Will Buxton does an excellent job of explaining the structure and technology of the sport to newer fans, while also rewarding long-time fans with deeper dives into the nuances of F1. He also includes short biographies of F1's greatest drivers and teams organized by decades. Very early on into reading Grand Prix, I decided that I wanted a print copy and pre-ordered it!
Grand Prix is available August 13th!
Even though I could only view this book through my NetGalley app on my phone, making it difficult to view, I will be purchasing it once published. It is well written and for the novice Grand Prix enthusiast (me) and for the long time fan, my husband, it provides valuable information on the history of the Grand Prix. I loved the illustrations and cannot wait to enjoy the print edition.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
A perfect book for new formula one fans and those who have been a fan for years. Grand Prix is a wonderful book that tells the stories of famous world champions and those who deserve to be remembered. There is just a part of me that wishes it was longer.
Thank you to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for this ARC e-copy of Grand Prix by Will Buxton.
As a rookie enjoyer of Formula One and a fan of the Netflix documentary series featuring the author, I was thrilled to be approved for this ARC.
Will Buxton has a penchant for storytelling already, and being able to read this in his voice only made this book more enjoyable — and that’s saying something, because Grand Prix: An Illustrated History of Formula 1 is simply outstanding in its own right.
If you are looking for the closest thing Formula One has to a Bible, this is it. Full of top-notch explanatory graphics, expertly organized charts, and stylish illustrations, this meticulously organized book is truly a must-have for F1 fans everywhere. I’m already planning on purchasing a hard copy of this book once it officially releases to the public myself.
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ - EXCELLENT
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.
I think this is a great book for Formula 1 fans of new and old!
The structure is clear to follow and the illustrations are a great addition, especially when learning about the technical aspects of the car and the safety elements.
Seasoned fans of the sport may already know much of what is included in the book, however I find the layout adds an interesting and unique aspect to a book about Formula 1. I definitely learnt a lot and would recommend to others!
3.5 stars // to be accepted for an arc for a Formula 1 related book is the equivalent of the two loves of my life coming together.
As a very well seasoned and highly knowledgable Formula 1 fan, I was very intrigued to see Will Buxton putting out a book about it! Will has worked in the Formula 1 sphere for 20+ years now and is very qualified to put a book like this out in the world.
I think, for a newer F1 fan, or a more casual fan, this book is great! It highlights important drivers throughout the decades, highlights basic information to teach you about the mechanics of the sport, in a very accessible manner. For a more "full-on" Formula 1 fan who already has a looooot of prior knowledge of the sport, the drivers, and its 74 year history, I personally did not get as much value out of this. And that's okay! I can appreciate it for what it is and all of the work that was put into it.
I've consumed quite a number of F1 books and it feels safe to say that this does have its own unique thing going on, which is fantastic. F1 books I feel are becoming more and more saturated in the market as the years go on, but with Will being highly qualified to put a book about, well, his job out, I think its enough to stand its own ground.
Congrats Will and team for creating this, I know it will do well!
thank you for NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for the arc!!!
Do you have someone who is new to Formula One (perhaps brought to the sport by the winning talents of Max Verstappen, or perhaps Netflix's ever popular "Drive to Survive" series chronicling the drivers of Formula One.. then you want to give them a book that celebrates the history of Formula One. This is that book. This book is a vibrant chronicle of both modern Formula One as well as the historical teams, and drivers that give Formula One its legacy.
It covers some of the drivers of past eras, as well as the drivers of today. It's very hard to cram 60 plus years of history, pay proper attention to the drivers and teams that make Formula One so popular in between the front cover and the rear cover, but it does an admirable job, especially considering the amount of graphics and photos the book contains. My only complaint is that the graphics sometime take up more of the page then I personally like. But that's just part of it's charm. This is a book that's going fast (just like it's subject material, and whether a coffee table book for the Formula One historical types, or a learning book for those who are just learning the differences between the Nürburgring and Monaco tracks.
I'm a huge F1 fan and this book was beautifully executed. I love how much attention to detail was put into this book and how it is organized throughout the history of F1. The illustrations of the drivers are really nice too. I think this is a must have book to own and gift. I'm definitely preordering it! Will did a great job with it!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.
I’m a sucker for an illustrated guide to something technical, especially when it comes to Formula 1.
I love that there is a full chapter at the beginning where the technical aspects of the sport are discussed before it continues to each decade.
Each decade chapter has five parts:
1. Summary of the decade
2. 1-page biographies on different drivers with their stats concerning races, wins, podiums, poles, and fastest laps
3. A paragraph of other drivers
4. What each team did during the decade
5. A race of the decade
I greatly enjoyed this book and was able to read it in a handful of hours.
Grand Prix
Will Buxton
Formula One is racing is a favorite of mine. It is an excellent mix of athleticism, technology and skill, and it lends itself to fascinating stories and stunning visuals. Will Buxton attempts to capture these traits in Grand Prix.
=== The Good Stuff ===
* While I am not a hard-core fan, I have been interested in F1 for many years. The book contained enough new and interesting information to keep my interest. The book is organized by large topics (various decades, specific drivers), and then a series on short vignettes on each specific topic.
* As an example, one section covers the evolution of the F1 steering wheel, from a simple mechanical device of the early years to the mind-boggling assortment of dials and switches in a modern vehicle. It was fascinating to see them all in one place.
* The text is easy to read and flows smoothly.
=== The Not-So-Good Stuff ===
* I was not a fan of the format. Each topic is given one or two pages, so nothing is explored in great detail. To have a history of F1 and only devoting a single page to someone like Ayrton Senna seems wrong. And the book steers away from any controversy, such as the ultimate cause of Senna’s crash.
* The format of the book is a bit strange. It is not really a narrative, but rather a series of one-page articles. It seems like it wanted to be a coffee table book, but there is no photography, just drawings and sketches. It makes for an odd combination, especially in a subject that can provide incredible visuals.
* I was reading a draft copy, but there was no table-of-contents or index. Finding any specific information was a bit of a challenge.
=== Summary ===
While I enjoy the topic, and found many of the articles to be interesting, I was ultimately disappointed in the book. The format, of short and equal-length articles made for some compromises, and serious readers will with for more detail and analysis. With photography instead of drawings, the book might have made an excellent coffee-table book.
The layout of this book is A+. The illustrations are also A+. What made this book even better? Reading it in my head in Will Buxton’s voice.
It is a fantastic book for any fan of F1, new or old. High Five: It is so up-to-date that Lewis’ move to Ferrari is mentioned!