Formula 1: The Pinnacle & The Legends 2 Book Set

As Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc battle it out head-to-head in the most hotly contested championship in years, this in-depth book, with a foreword from Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, tells the story of how the sport evolved into the exhilarating high octane spectacle it is today.

The new rules introduced in 2022 signal the greatest change to F1 in a generation, cracking the field wide open and seeing some of the most compelling and competitive races in the last 25 years.

Technical changes aimed at levelling the playing field for the teams combined with the sport’s tightening budget cap have made the races closer than ever. There will be more sprint races — trialled in 2021 — and greater fan interest driven by Netflix’s hugely successful ‘Drive to Survive’ series.

So, how did we get here? How did F1 become the acknowledged ‘Pinnacle of Motorsport’? Simon Arron and Tony Dodgins have identified the 100 most significant changes to the series since its inception in 1950. Formula One is unrecognizable from its debut season, where drivers raced around on old bomber training aerodrome in Northamptonshire with oil drums to mark the corners and straw bales the only concession to safety.

New fans will welcome a complete and highly illustrated guide to the history of F1, while older fans will be able to compare their own views of what were the pivotal moments of change, in a book written by experienced motoring writers with two lifetimes worth of knowledge of the sport.

The book will link technical progress with the personalities involved, indeed many of the swiftest changes have come about as a result of accidents or tragedies — the death of Roland Ratzenberger at Imola in 1994, the same weekend as Ayrton Senna, could have been avoided by the HANS safety device. The introduction of the halo saved Romain Grosjean’s life in Bahrain last year, but only came about because of the tragic accident that claimed Jules Bianchi in Japan.

Along with changes to circuits and the technology of the cars, this book highlights the commercial changes and the controversies that threatened to split the sport apart — such as the threat of breakaway series proposed at various times by teams.

A must-read for completists or for those new to the sport, F1: The Pinnacle is a fascinating insight into one of the most exciting and dangerous sports in the world.

Celebrate Formula One’s most iconic drivers with this exploration of their triumphs and tragedies. Featuring high-quality photography and insight from renowned F1 journalist Tony Dodgins.

At the heart of Formula One lies the triumphs and tragedies of the sport's greatest stars. The drama, personality and thrill of the sport are all tied to the cult drivers who have made racing so great to watch. Only the fastest and bravest survive!

With a foreword by Christian Horner, Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, Formula One: The Legends profiles 32 of F1’s iconic drivers from the 1950s to the present day. As well as examining the racers of the past, such as Jackie Stewart, Alain Prost and Aryton Senna, the text profiles modern-day legends such as Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and legend-in-the-making Max Verstappen.

Uniquely, this book also features stars of the sport who tragically died or were terribly injured before they could realize their true potential, but nevertheless left a lasting legacy.

Decade by decade since the championship was founded, this book profiles the following legends of F1: Ascari, Fangio, Moss, Hawthorn, Brabham, Graham Hill, McLaren, Gurney, Surtees, Clark, Stewart, Rindt, Andretti, Fittipaldi, Lauda, Hunt, Jones, Gilles Villeneuve, Piquet, Prost, Mansell, Senna, Häkkinen, Schumacher, Damon Hill, Button, Alonso, Räikkönen, Rosberg, Vettel, Hamilton, Verstappen. 

This is a unique exploration of Formula One racing, with a focus on the most revered Formula One drivers of all time. A standout gift for fans of the sport, this collection includes expert photography to highlight the greatest moments of these drivers’ careers. Fascinating and insightful, with informed voices from the sport, this is a collection not to be missed.