On the Grid
Life Behind the Scenes of Formula One
by Luke Smith
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Pub Date Mar 18 2025 | Archive Date May 13 2025
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Description
"A great read for any new and seasoned F1 fan ... will keep you entertained until the very last page. Recommend!"—Esteban Ocon, Formula One Driver
Learn how Formula One is the world’s greatest team sport with this intimate and colorful insider’s account of what really happens on—and off—the race track, from The Athletic’s senior F1 writer who has been following the sport around the world for over a decade.
Formula One has only 20 drivers in its elite ranks, but behind each one is an army of professionals devoted to the sport: statisticians and strategists, engineers and mechanics, PR gurus and party planners, and more—all who spend months traveling thousands of miles across the globe each year. Their achievements (and failures) may not be as well-publicized as those of the drivers and team principals, but they’re just as important: one fifty-cent screw in the wrong place could cause a $15 million car to break down mid-race.
In On the Grid, F1 journalist Luke Smith brings to life the behind-the-scenes stories that don’t make it to viewers’ screens. From the Bahrain starting grid—thick with sweat and engine fumes—to opulent yacht parties in Monaco, with a stopover at a legendary bakery in Melbourne whose croissants exist only because of F1 technology, he showcases the extraordinary characters who give the sport such color and intrigue. With deep insight, knowledge, and warmth, he writes about the emotions and struggles that come with working in such a high-pressure and inherently dangerous sport, and the efforts being made to improve its class and racial diversity, gender parity, and environmental impact. The result is a richer, broader, and more inclusive look at F1 than ever before—perfect for longtime fans and Drive to Survive neophytes alike.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780063373525 |
| PRICE | $28.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 304 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Jean-Marie B, Reviewer
3.5 stars rounded up for me! As someone who is a fairly new F1 fan (thanks to my kids), I was excited to be given the chance to read an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the opportunity.
While I am a pretty avid reader of non-fiction, On The Grid is written in a fairly unique style where Luke Smith tends to blend facts with interviews and conversations so it reads more of a story then simply a book full of F1 facts.
There is so much more to F1 than the cars and drivers, the pit crews and even the lavish lifestyles, exclusive wild parties and mega yachts. It is a rather intimate machine of many individuals who are the best of what they offer and there are many more individuals who have their hand in making F1 so fascinating than you could ever imagine.
As mentioned in the synopsis, there is a legendary bakery in Melbourne whose croissants exist only because of F1 technology but I also learned that mechanical engineers from Mercedes helped suffering hospitals with a lack of ventilators and CPAP machines during the COVID pandemic using the F1 mentality of "this is good, but how do we make it better?"
Every single individual outside of the principals and drivers plays a huge part of the team, even if their part seems to be miniscule. Not only do the drivers obviously need to be precise but the team needs to work in perfect unison and Luke Smith gives us a behind the scene view into the extraordinary sport of F1 racing.
Reviewer 1547974
Thanks to NetGalley for this one! This was just a great look into modern F1 & the present challenges. I enjoyed the look into the different facets and components of F1, and the stories told. Would recommend to anyone interested in F1 or those who already love it.
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