Best Formula 1 Books
Looking for some good Formula 1 books to read? I often get emails from readers asking about F1 books or for some recommendations.
My original list of the best F1 racing books posted back in 2013 was getting out of date, it was time to revisit it in 2025. Below is the updated list of best F1 books that I’ve read and recommend. I will tweak the list from time to time – the original Top 10 included many Rainer Schlegelmilch books because they are so good but since he entered his retirement phase has naturally not released any modern era photo books. The first 5 books make the list just based on the detail and the amount of work that would have been spent into making them.
My basic criteria for this list is the quality of the photography, degree of research, page count, book layout, balance, presentation and value for money. Most of these are large heavy hardcover books as these typically have more content.
I have to admit a personal preference for hardcover color photo-albums rather than paperbacks as you can re-read these books repeatedly (even after many years) without them feeling stale. That isn’t to say that there aren’t great B&W grand prix books around (e.g. Chris Nixon’s excellent Auto Union Album 1934-1939) or good text paperbacks (typically these tend to be driver autobiographies).
It’s difficult to have one list for all F1 books because of the wide range of content available e.g. modern F1 vs historic F1, team books, driver books, engineering books, etc. To balance this list, check my other book lists (best Senna books, best Ferrari books and best team and driver books). Due to cost & value being a criteria, I’ve not included rare F1 books in this list – if you’re looking for rare F1 books, you can see my list posted here.
I will slowly get around to posting reviews of all the books and will update them with working links.
F1-nut.com Recommended Formula 1 books – hardcovers (click links to read full book reviews)
1. Formula 1 Technology – The Engineering Explained
by Steve Rendle; Evro 2023
Steve Rendle books are always a treasure trove of technical information and this book is arguably his best. Published in the first season of the new ground effects aero regulations, this book covers almost every aspect of modern F1 cars. Married with exquisite Giorgio Piola drawings and abundant colour photos, this book should be top of most fans’ book list.
2. How to Build a Car
by Adrian Newey; Harper Collins (2017) (reviewed 29 Jan 2018 here)
I previously had this book at #10 in my original list but during all the 2024 dramas within the Red Bull team, couldn’t help re-reading this book which keeps providing renewed personal and technical insights into F1’s most successful designer.
Adrian has designed so many iconic historic championship winning cars of the last few decades including Williams FW14B, McLaren MP4/13, Red Bull RB6 and RB21 – this makes his autobiography a great read and a serious addition to any F1 book collection.
3. 50 Years of Formula 1 Photography
by Rainer Schlegelmilch; Könemann 2012 (reviewed 19 March 2014)
This used to be #1 on my list but is still top 5. Weighs a ton – 660 pages packed full of iconic photos from F1 seasons 1962-2011.
4. Grand Prix: Fascination Formula 1
by Rainer Schlegelmilch, Hartmut Lehbrink; Könemann 1993 (reviewed 28 Nov 2013 here)
Another former top of the list. Before his 50 years of Formula One book, I rated Fascination Formula 1 as one of the best F1 books. Close to 400 pages of dramatic photo panels – a must if you are a fan of the 1970s through to 1990’s era of F1.
5. McLaren the Cars
by William Taylor; Coterie Press 2020 (reviewed 7 Dec 2020 here)
All the McLaren F1 and racecars profiled. The 2020 edition adds updated content to the 2008 edition which was the definitive car book for any McLaren F1 fan.
6. Formula 1 Drive to Survive
by Stuart Codling; Motorbooks International 2023 (reviewed 1 July 2023 here)
For fans of Netflix’ Drive to Survive series and modern 2020s era F1, this unofficial title is a nice well rounded companion book.
7. Formula 1 in Camera Series 1980-1989
by Quintin Spurring and Rainer Schlegelmilch (Haynes 2005); (reviewed 24 March 2013 here)
One of a series of 3 Schlegelmilch ‘In Camera’ books. This one covers the exciting 80’s turbo and Senna-Prost era.
8. The Jack Brabham Story
by Sir Jack Brabham, Doug Nye; Minidi 2004 (reviewed 30 May 2014 here)
Superbly balanced book – a biography in the format of a technical photo album!
=9. First Among Champions: The Alfa Romeo Grand Prix Cars
by David Venables; Haynes Publishing 2000 (reviewed 5 May 2016 here)
Detailed research and photography for historic Alfa Romeo fans. It doesn’t cover the 2020s Alfa badged Sauber team but for Alfa Romeo history buffs is still a great book.
=9. Racing the Silver Arrows
by Chris Nixon; Osprey Publishing 1986 (reviewed 31 March 2014 here)
The definitive book on the 1930’s Mercedes Silver Arrows era for F1 history buffs. Deserves a place in the top 10.
10. Colin Chapman Inside the Innovator
by Karl Ludvigsen; Haynes Publishing 2010. (reviewed 27 Feb 2017 here)
F1 history and technical innovation rolled into one book.
Honorable Mentions:
There are quite a few other books that deserve mentioning (click link to read full reviews):
William Taylor’s “Lotus the Cars” is a superb collectors book which documents most of the iconic Lotus grand prix and sports cars.
Stuart Codling’s “The Art of the Formula 1 Race Car” is also a great close up photo book of some classic F1 cars.
Chris Nixon’s “Auto Union Album 1934-1939” has a compilation of amazingly detailed B&W archival photos. A great companion book to “Racing the Silver Arrows”.
Easy reads & paperbacks
If you’re simply looking for good F1 books that’s light and easy to read on the daily commute to work, paperbacks are best although most paperbacks these days are driver biographies.
I’ve posted my list of best F1 driver books elsewhere on the site but some good general F1 paperback books include:
- Sir Jackie Stewart “Winning is not Enough” gives some good insight into the 60’s & 70’s era of F1:
- For 90’s F1 fans, Steve Matchett’s “The Mechanic’s Tale” is a good all-round general read.
- For 2000 era F1 fans, Charles Jennings’ “Burning Rubber” is a decent read.
- For 2010 era F1 fans, Mark Webber’s “Aussie Grit“, Jenson Button’s “Life to the Limit” and Marc Priestley’s “The Mechanic” are all very entertaining non-PC reads.
- For modern post 2020 era F1 fans, the latest crop of books including Bernie Collins’ “How to Win a Grand Prix” and Guenther Steiner’s “Unfiltered” are excellent reads.
Note: I will occasionally review and update the lists on this page, so make sure to bookmark it and check for updates.
