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!

Only reading this book on technology, i wish I had it as a coffee table book! The book contains some awesome drawings and diagrams that will continue to allow F1 fans to be educated on the sport and technology. It was interesting to read Buxton’s take on all the drivers of the past and where he sees the sport going great book for new F1 fans and old fans alike!

I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book teaches everything one needs to know to start following Formula One now, including explaining the circuits, the current pilots, the teams, mechanical aspects of the sport (such as car caracteristics, tires caracteristics, etc) so it would be perfect for anyone who is just getting into F1.
But that isn't all! It also covers the history of F1, from the evolution of the car to old circuits that aren't raced anymore, from pilot legends to the place women have occupied in the sport, with beautiful illustrations such that this would be a perfect coffee table book for any fan of F1.

I had a very fun time reading it through and I'll be looking to get a physical copy to have in my house.

Thank you NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

As a huge F1 fan, I loved this book! All of the photos are amazing and it’s very well put together. If you love F1, you will definitely love this book!

"Inside Formula 1" is a gem for both newbies and seasoned fans alike. If you're just getting into Formula 1 this is the book you need, Buxton gives an incredible rundown of how everything works without making it overwhelming. It's a must-have for any F1 enthusiast's collection too, the book takes you to a journey through each important occurrence of the sport and it's most relevant drivers.

This is such a great cohesive book looking at so many areas within the sport of Formula 1. Perfect for the beginning fan and the die hard fan. I honestly wish I would have had it when I first started getting into the sport. Buxton breaks it down into easily digestible bits but provides enough information to feel satisfied and well off. I liked the info on each track and how it’s changed. And the decade by decade dive into the drivers of the time was such a nice addition. It was really neat to read about all the drivers that came long before I became a fan of the sport. And of course it was great to learn more about the more recent legends and strong contenders for the world championship each year. I especially loved the addition to inclusivity toward the end. It’s concise yet thorough and the perfect addition to any F1 fans bookshelf or coffee table.

Thank you so much to the publisher for the early access.