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Formula One The Circuits: Then and Now
Formula The Circuits Then & Now is unique and compelling history and guide to some of the classic grand prix tracks. By pairing vintage images with the same viewpoint today, readers can see how dramatically Formula One has changed over the years, from the cavalier attitude to danger of the past, to the sophisticated modern sport we see today.
In the 1950s, all that prevented cars from entering Monaco Harbour were some straw bales, there was no pitlane, and races weren’t stopped for burning cars. Today, Armco and catch-fencing line the harbourside, cranes winch cars to safety in seconds and Tecpro barriers protect the most dangerous corners. This book includes many historic aspects of F1 from the beautifully preserved pit buildings of Reims to the great temples of Speed at Monza and Spa-Francorchamps, three race venues from Formula 1’s debut season in 1950. At Monza, the lethal concrete banking has made way for a flat-out road track with chicanes, while Spa has cut the dangerous ‘Burnenville’ corner and moved its pit buildings and startline. Reims’ stopped hosting races in the 1960s and the infamous Muzon corner now lies under a farmer’s field.
Other legendary circuits, such as the Nürburgring’s ‘Green Hell’, are pictured before they became too dangerous to race on, along with Pescara, an F1 race through the Abruzzo Hills, given special permission to run by the Italian government after the Mille Miglia tragedy of 1957. Compare the old Österreichring before it was cut down to size as the Red Bull Ring, and see Silverstone complete with the hangar that gave rise to the ‘Hangar Straight’. In the United States, there is the original Long Beach circuit, Watkins Glen with its flamboyant race starter, the Las Vegas grand prix that lasted only two years, along with F1’s ill-fated Indianapolis adventure.
In the 1950s, all that prevented cars from entering Monaco Harbour were some straw bales, there was no pitlane, and races weren’t stopped for burning cars. Today, Armco and catch-fencing line the harbourside, cranes winch cars to safety in seconds and Tecpro barriers protect the most dangerous corners. This book includes many historic aspects of F1 from the beautifully preserved pit buildings of Reims to the great temples of Speed at Monza and Spa-Francorchamps, three race venues from Formula 1’s debut season in 1950. At Monza, the lethal concrete banking has made way for a flat-out road track with chicanes, while Spa has cut the dangerous ‘Burnenville’ corner and moved its pit buildings and startline. Reims’ stopped hosting races in the 1960s and the infamous Muzon corner now lies under a farmer’s field.
Other legendary circuits, such as the Nürburgring’s ‘Green Hell’, are pictured before they became too dangerous to race on, along with Pescara, an F1 race through the Abruzzo Hills, given special permission to run by the Italian government after the Mille Miglia tragedy of 1957. Compare the old Österreichring before it was cut down to size as the Red Bull Ring, and see Silverstone complete with the hangar that gave rise to the ‘Hangar Straight’. In the United States, there is the original Long Beach circuit, Watkins Glen with its flamboyant race starter, the Las Vegas grand prix that lasted only two years, along with F1’s ill-fated Indianapolis adventure.
580 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2025
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7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 17, 2025
Thank you Netgally for providing this book earlier to me in exchange for an honest review.
As a big, albeit new, fan of anything F1 I was excited to stumble upon this book in my never-ending quest for more info about the sport.
While it is quite easy to find information about the different F1 tracks, the book gives a ton of extra information and insight into how they were built, what changed over the last few decades, and what challenges the track and those racing on it have faced over the years. I especially enjoyed the tidbits of "nice to know" info about the fasted lap times and the number of turns there are. The photos provided also helped a lot seeing how everything has changed over time and overall I had a great time reading!
Definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in F1 and wants to know a bit more about the sport than what we can see on TV.
As a big, albeit new, fan of anything F1 I was excited to stumble upon this book in my never-ending quest for more info about the sport.
While it is quite easy to find information about the different F1 tracks, the book gives a ton of extra information and insight into how they were built, what changed over the last few decades, and what challenges the track and those racing on it have faced over the years. I especially enjoyed the tidbits of "nice to know" info about the fasted lap times and the number of turns there are. The photos provided also helped a lot seeing how everything has changed over time and overall I had a great time reading!
Definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in F1 and wants to know a bit more about the sport than what we can see on TV.
March 10, 2025
A must have book for any fan of motor racing, focusing on the prestigious class, the ultimate version, namely formula one. While listing Grand Prix circuits it speaks of the history of racing at that venue and the alterations and changes over the years.
While some no longer host the elite beasts, motor racing continues at many of these historical race tracks.
For me as a fan for over 50 years it is both a historical journey and aide-mémoire through photographs and name checks throughout the book.
It has circuit plans; detailed graphics of corners and a potted history of the track and time as a Grand Prix venue.
However, it is the text that beats with the rhythm of a well tuned engine purr; and pictures, past and present capturing the feel and heart of the circuit. I especially liked the attempt to show similar sight lines of corners and buildings to reflect the evolvement and ever present love of motor racing of each race track.
What especially stirred me emotionally was the attention to detail, regarding the challenge of speed over time and the governing body sometimes revealing more commercial aspiration, rather than traditional sentiment.
In the process some politics are hinted at, but it is the roll call of drivers lost and their fatal crashes at these familiar circuits that moved me the most.
I am grateful to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If I were able to keep just one book on Motor Racing in my library this volume would be my choice as it captures the essence of this sport, reflects my love of competition among the times over many decades and reminds me of the places visited and names chanted following my lifelong passion of Formula One.
While some no longer host the elite beasts, motor racing continues at many of these historical race tracks.
For me as a fan for over 50 years it is both a historical journey and aide-mémoire through photographs and name checks throughout the book.
It has circuit plans; detailed graphics of corners and a potted history of the track and time as a Grand Prix venue.
However, it is the text that beats with the rhythm of a well tuned engine purr; and pictures, past and present capturing the feel and heart of the circuit. I especially liked the attempt to show similar sight lines of corners and buildings to reflect the evolvement and ever present love of motor racing of each race track.
What especially stirred me emotionally was the attention to detail, regarding the challenge of speed over time and the governing body sometimes revealing more commercial aspiration, rather than traditional sentiment.
In the process some politics are hinted at, but it is the roll call of drivers lost and their fatal crashes at these familiar circuits that moved me the most.
I am grateful to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If I were able to keep just one book on Motor Racing in my library this volume would be my choice as it captures the essence of this sport, reflects my love of competition among the times over many decades and reminds me of the places visited and names chanted following my lifelong passion of Formula One.
January 13, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Ivy Press for this ARC e-copy of Formula One The Circuits: Then & Now by Frank Hopkinson.
This well-researched coffee table book, full of rare and vivid photographs, informative maps and graphics, and impeccable organization, is the perfect gift for Formula 1 and motorsport fans worldwide. Featuring not only current tracks, but also historic circuits no longer in use in Formula 1, each “chapter” includes a brief history of the circuit, notable races hosted there and the notable drivers who competed in them, fastest lap times, and a fun fact for each course. There is a very long section on Monaco, as is fitting for an iconic street circuit that has endured the longevity of Formula 1 as a sport itself.
This book is absolutely essential for those looking to gain a more comprehensive knowledge about each of the individual tracks that make up an F1 season.
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ - GREAT
This well-researched coffee table book, full of rare and vivid photographs, informative maps and graphics, and impeccable organization, is the perfect gift for Formula 1 and motorsport fans worldwide. Featuring not only current tracks, but also historic circuits no longer in use in Formula 1, each “chapter” includes a brief history of the circuit, notable races hosted there and the notable drivers who competed in them, fastest lap times, and a fun fact for each course. There is a very long section on Monaco, as is fitting for an iconic street circuit that has endured the longevity of Formula 1 as a sport itself.
This book is absolutely essential for those looking to gain a more comprehensive knowledge about each of the individual tracks that make up an F1 season.
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ - GREAT
January 6, 2025
As a long time fan of Formula 1 and a mom to a son who is a true enthusiast I greatly enjoyed this book. Some of the tracks I was not familiar with others I have seen often. My son and I went through the book together and we both especially loved the pictures of the track configuration. Many of the sections generated much conversation and even additional searches on youtube so that we could see what driving on the circuits would be like. I did spend a great deal of time on the chapter about the circuit where Senna lost his life. I did not realize that there had been other accidents and 1 other fatality that weekend.
If you are a fan of Formula 1 you will definitely enjoy this look at the many different circuits. I absolutely would purchase this book for some of the many Formula 1 fans in my family.
If you are a fan of Formula 1 you will definitely enjoy this look at the many different circuits. I absolutely would purchase this book for some of the many Formula 1 fans in my family.
March 2, 2025
Formula One The Circuits: Then and Now by Frank Hopkinson
Genre: Sports Nonfiction
FORMULA ONE THE CIRCUITS: THEN & NOW features the sport’s tracks past and present, including development; track map; and notable races and drivers. I’ve read a few F1 books before, and this contained additional information I didn’t already know. With a plethora of fantastic photographs and vintage posters, FORMULA ONE THE CIRCUITS: THEN & NOW would make a great gift and the perfect addition to any F1 fan’s coffee table.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Ivy Press for an advanced reader copy of #FormulaOneTheCircuitsThenNow
Genre: Sports Nonfiction
FORMULA ONE THE CIRCUITS: THEN & NOW features the sport’s tracks past and present, including development; track map; and notable races and drivers. I’ve read a few F1 books before, and this contained additional information I didn’t already know. With a plethora of fantastic photographs and vintage posters, FORMULA ONE THE CIRCUITS: THEN & NOW would make a great gift and the perfect addition to any F1 fan’s coffee table.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Ivy Press for an advanced reader copy of #FormulaOneTheCircuitsThenNow
January 7, 2025
Thanks to Quarto and Netgalley for the advanced copy to review.
As a long time F1 fan I am always on the lookout for F1 books that blend both the history of the sport and the present. They focus on circuits here really shows you how much the sport has changed over the years but also how much has stayed the same circuit wise. The photographs included throughout really do show you the changes that have taken place whilst also spotlighting the historic nature of some of these tracks and the work that has gone in to preserving them.
A great coffee table book for an avid F1 fan.
As a long time F1 fan I am always on the lookout for F1 books that blend both the history of the sport and the present. They focus on circuits here really shows you how much the sport has changed over the years but also how much has stayed the same circuit wise. The photographs included throughout really do show you the changes that have taken place whilst also spotlighting the historic nature of some of these tracks and the work that has gone in to preserving them.
A great coffee table book for an avid F1 fan.
January 18, 2025
Thank you Ivy Press and NetGalley for the eARC of Formula One The Circuits: Then and Now! All opinions in this review are my own.
I love this series and I can't wait to own a physical copy of this one! I like how each book focuses on a specific aspect of F1 and this one about the circuits did not disappoint! I like how the author explains not only the history of the tracks but also provides an explanation for why some of them aren't used anymore for F1.
If you are an F1 fan, you need to check out this series!
I love this series and I can't wait to own a physical copy of this one! I like how each book focuses on a specific aspect of F1 and this one about the circuits did not disappoint! I like how the author explains not only the history of the tracks but also provides an explanation for why some of them aren't used anymore for F1.
If you are an F1 fan, you need to check out this series!
February 11, 2025
Thank you to Ivy Press and Netgalley for the eARC of Formula One The Circuits: Then and Now!
The perfect coffee table book for F1 fans! While basic track info is easy to find, this book explores the building and evolution of circuits around the world. This covers modern fixtures like Suzuka International Race Course and old classics à la Circuit de Monaco. Filled with stats, fun facts and beautiful pictures, this incredibly well researched book is worth a read!
The perfect coffee table book for F1 fans! While basic track info is easy to find, this book explores the building and evolution of circuits around the world. This covers modern fixtures like Suzuka International Race Course and old classics à la Circuit de Monaco. Filled with stats, fun facts and beautiful pictures, this incredibly well researched book is worth a read!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews