New book review: Formula One – The Australian and New Zealand Story by John Smailes

In 2021 Daniel Ricciardo is probably the most recognisable Australian in the F1 paddock but after that epic seasonal finale at Abu Dhabi GP, F1’s most famous Aussie may now actually be race director, Michael Masi! Add to that this year’s new F2 champion Oscar Piastri, F2’s Liam Lawson and Renault head of vehicle performance, Chris Dyer and there’s much more of an Australian/NZ presence in F1 than is first obvious. John Smailes previous book “Speed Kings” charted Aust & NZ drivers who have tackled US Indycar series and his new book “Formula One – The Australian and New Zealand Story” documents the history of Aust/NZ in the sport of F1.

Netflix viewers will already have some insight into Daniel Ricciardo’s upbringing and path into F1 in the early seasons of “Drive to Survive”, so this book may not be as revealing when it comes to his career but there are a host of other lesser known AU & NZ drivers that have participated in F1 that John Smailes has tried to acknowledge.

The book is a compendium of a full range of F1 participants from early pioneers (Joan Richmond, Tony Gaze), famous names (Sir Jack Brabham, Alan Jones, Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme, Chris Amon), modern era drivers (Mark Webber, Danny Ric), Brabham dynasty, 70’s drivers (Dave Walker, Howard Ganley, Tim Schenken, Vern Schuppan, Larry Perkins), and drivers who were close but didn’t quite make it to F1 (Toyota’s Ryan Briscoe). In addition to drivers, Smailes also covers team personnel including Chris Dyer (Kimi’s race engineer at Ferrari), Sam Michael, Peter Windsor, Willem Toet and FIA staff Michael Massi and Garry Connelly.

Interestingly, F2 champion and Alpine reserve Oscar Piastri gets first chapter billing so this will be one of the earliest F1 books to include him prior to actually racing in F1.

Physically, the book is a nice solid small format hardcover with an almost 300 page count. The text flows nicely but the main plus is the excellent photo collection – many from private collections including the Brabham family.

While the book is targeted to an Aust & NZ F1 audience, there’s still enough good historic content here to engage US and UK F1 fans.

Wow Factor/Money Shot: Photos in chapters 2 & 3 (pre-1940’s racing), pg 64 (Ron Dennis as a young Brabham mechanic).

Suitable for: Aust & NZ F1 fans, F1 history fans