Speed Read F1 Is A Great Overview Of F1 Racing For New And Old Fans Alike

The amazing cars, the incredible rivalries, and the illustrious history of Formula 1 in one entertaining package.

Author Stuart Codling definitely knows Formula 1 racing. As Executive Editor of F1 Racing Magazine, as well as the author of Art of the Formula 1 Race Car and Real Racers: Formula 1 Racing in the 1950s and 1960s, Codling has made a name for himself as an expert on the sport. So, it makes sense that Codling would be the guy to write the book that will introduce a whole new group of fans to Formula 1 racing. That’s exactly what he does in the new book, Speed Read F1.

There’s no doubt about it, Speed Read F1 is geared towards readers that are new to the sport of Formula 1 racing, but that doesn’t mean the book is only for newbies. Far from it. In fact, over the course of the book, there are sure to be facts and information that only the most well-versed Formula 1 fan would be aware of. Ultimately, that what makes Speed Read F1 such a pleasure to read because the book finds a way to go over every aspect of Formula 1 racing in a way that is informative, interesting, and, most importantly, entertaining.

Speed Read F1 starts where you would expect an introduction to Formula 1 racing would start – with the name. After going through the brief history of the sport, and racing in the first half of the 20th century, in general, the book then takes each aspect of Formula 1 and breaks it down. Starting first with the actual cars, themselves. You’ll discover why each part of the car is incredibly important and meticulously designed. Never getting bogged down in the details, Codling offers easy explanations of the multitude of parts that make an F1 car that is sure to make you an expert to all your racing friends. Honestly, never has reading about the buttons on a steering wheel been so interesting.

Obviously, you can’t talk about any sort of car racing without talking about the athletes behind the wheel. That’s right, they’re athletes. Codling goes over just why not any regular person on the street can compete. These drivers go through rigorous training that truly makes them elite athletes. Codling also gives the reader a quick overview of some of the names you’ll see mentioned throughout the rest of the book. Senna, Lauda, Schumacher, and others get namedropped when going over some of the big names in the history of Formula 1.

The largest portion of the novel deals with something that is sure to appeal to hardcore fans and newbies alike, the drama between drivers. Told in chronological order, you get to go over some of the greatest rivalries in the sport. From disputes among teammates to legendary conflicts that have been turned into major films, such as between Niki Lauda and James Hunt, Speed Read F1 has you covered. However, don’t worry, Codling keeps the stories professional, never dipping into tabloid-esque territory.

After you learn about the cars and the people behind the wheel, Codling goes over the types of tracks, safety concerns, and race weekend details that could bog down a lesser book. He goes over why road races came to be, why the HANS device is required, and how qualifying has evolved over the years. However, Speed Read F1 never feels like reading a textbook.

If there’s one portion of the book that felt a little undercooked, it’s the section that goes over the business aspect of Formula 1 racing. Clearly, there’s enough information about the behind-the-scenes business dealings to fill a dozen or more books. In Speed Read F1, you only get the surface level details that might be enough for some, but probably won’t appease those looking for a more detailed analysis. Granted, the book serves as an introduction to the sport of Formula 1 racing, and in doing so, is only meant to give an overview. And that overview is always very well-written. So much so, that as someone who didn’t know the first thing about Bernie Ecclestone and the business history of Formula 1, I now find myself craving more information about the Formula 1 Executive.

Overall, Speed Read F1 might be generalized as a Formula 1 for Dummies, but that doesn’t do Codling’s book justice, at all. While someone who doesn’t know the first thing about Formula 1 racing will most definitely get a great introduction to every aspect of the sport, a long-time Formula 1 fan will still enjoy the concise history and overview of the sport they love. What Codling has done here is create a book that can be given to anyone, including those who don’t know the first thing about cars, and enjoyed thoroughly.