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Life in the Pitlane
'A fascinating journey through Nicholas's pre-F1 life and his experiences since joining Red Bull' Autosport
Life in the Pitlane is an inspiring memoir from Red Bull's senior engineer Calum Nicholas that will open up the world of Formula 1 like never before.
Replete with all the high-octane tales and behind the scenes details you'd expect from a life lived next to the fast lane, Life in the Pitlane will detail the realities of life off the track; the good and the bad, with a particular spotlight on diversity and inclusion within the sport, and all the entertaining stories and behind the scenes details fans of F1 will be looking for.
Life in the Pitlane brings a brand-new perspective to the sport, as Calum reflects on his career so far, how the sport has changed for those working in it, the realities of life on the road and the future he hopes lies ahead.
Life in the Pitlane is an inspiring memoir from Red Bull's senior engineer Calum Nicholas that will open up the world of Formula 1 like never before.
Replete with all the high-octane tales and behind the scenes details you'd expect from a life lived next to the fast lane, Life in the Pitlane will detail the realities of life off the track; the good and the bad, with a particular spotlight on diversity and inclusion within the sport, and all the entertaining stories and behind the scenes details fans of F1 will be looking for.
Life in the Pitlane brings a brand-new perspective to the sport, as Calum reflects on his career so far, how the sport has changed for those working in it, the realities of life on the road and the future he hopes lies ahead.
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Published February 27, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 21, 2025
5 stars ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
As a huge fan of F1 I jumped at the opportunity to get this arc.
This was such a lovely deep dive into the life and world of one of the most cut throat sports. We typically get the run down from drivers and team leads but never really from the paddock crew members themselves, I loved being to read about certain instances that were huge in the world F1 from Callum’s point of view.
Getting to see Callum’s backstory and his journey to Red Bull is truly inspiring. The book itself is really well written and genuinely feels like you’re just sitting down with someone at a bar and letting them tell you their life story. If you’re a fan of F1 regardless of who your favourite team is, I think you’d love this book. The deep dives and behind the scenes that wouldn’t be in Drive To Survive are what make it so charming and enjoyable.
As a huge fan of F1 I jumped at the opportunity to get this arc.
This was such a lovely deep dive into the life and world of one of the most cut throat sports. We typically get the run down from drivers and team leads but never really from the paddock crew members themselves, I loved being to read about certain instances that were huge in the world F1 from Callum’s point of view.
Getting to see Callum’s backstory and his journey to Red Bull is truly inspiring. The book itself is really well written and genuinely feels like you’re just sitting down with someone at a bar and letting them tell you their life story. If you’re a fan of F1 regardless of who your favourite team is, I think you’d love this book. The deep dives and behind the scenes that wouldn’t be in Drive To Survive are what make it so charming and enjoyable.
March 21, 2025
An in depth look at F1 from a real, honest viewpoint
If you're expecting this book to be about famous drivers, race victories and team principals, then this is the wrong book for you. If you want to get a feeling of what it takes to become one of those who builds the cars and makes sure they keep running and then puts them back together after a crash, then this is a very well written and insightful book by an intelligent and deep thinking man. Calum has made me aware of an unseen side of the sport that I have followed for decades!
If you're expecting this book to be about famous drivers, race victories and team principals, then this is the wrong book for you. If you want to get a feeling of what it takes to become one of those who builds the cars and makes sure they keep running and then puts them back together after a crash, then this is a very well written and insightful book by an intelligent and deep thinking man. Calum has made me aware of an unseen side of the sport that I have followed for decades!
May 22, 2025
*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: February 27, 2025
A great look beyond the glitz and into the technical side of F1. An inspiring memoir about Calum’s journey into motorsport. Loved the behind the scenes—from in depth explanations about pit stops to hot takes on some rules and regulations.
I filed away my feelings about the 2021 season and let myself enjoy the tales from the Red Bull garage. Really enjoyed his insider’s take on the complex intricacies of the cost cap. It was fascinating to see how many of the cost cap regulations actually cause teams to spend more money and force them to be wasteful, all while the FIA claims a goal to be net zero by 2030.
It was heartbreaking to hear Calum recount the weekend in Japan when Jules Bianchi had his ultimately fatal crash, and all the safety changes that came from it.
My only thumbs down came from the pranking antics in the Red Bull garage that made it sound like a frat house at times. In a book promoting more diversity and inclusion in Motorsport, it was giving “good old boys” club.
A great look beyond the glitz and into the technical side of F1. An inspiring memoir about Calum’s journey into motorsport. Loved the behind the scenes—from in depth explanations about pit stops to hot takes on some rules and regulations.
I filed away my feelings about the 2021 season and let myself enjoy the tales from the Red Bull garage. Really enjoyed his insider’s take on the complex intricacies of the cost cap. It was fascinating to see how many of the cost cap regulations actually cause teams to spend more money and force them to be wasteful, all while the FIA claims a goal to be net zero by 2030.
It was heartbreaking to hear Calum recount the weekend in Japan when Jules Bianchi had his ultimately fatal crash, and all the safety changes that came from it.
My only thumbs down came from the pranking antics in the Red Bull garage that made it sound like a frat house at times. In a book promoting more diversity and inclusion in Motorsport, it was giving “good old boys” club.
May 31, 2025
As a F1 fan and automotive technician this was a great read. It was refreshing to get a honest take on life on the road and hustle of f1 circus.
December 28, 2025
I enjoyed reading this, but i found the overall writing quite repetitive making it tough to keep reading some chapters.
August 22, 2025
I love Motorsport and reading Calum’s experience was so interesting as it’s a perspective the public rarely gets to see!! Everything he’s doing to decrease barriers of entry and increase inclusivity in the sport is inspiring! Who knew reading about the effects of the cost cap would b so riveting
May 11, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Mobius Books for this ARC e-copy of Life in the Pitlane by Calum Nicholas.
This memoir—by Senior Power Unit Assembly Technician at Red Bull Racing, Calum Nicholas, who readers might recognize from Netflix’s Drive to Survive and from Formula 1 race weekends in general—is a flat-out encouragement of careers in engineering and motorsport, and exactly what Nicholas wanted it to be, which is the guide he needed growing up.
As a Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen fan, I absolutely loved this inside look into the team’s Formula 1 garage, and how their most famous mechanic’s career led him to the job and the team’s subsequent WCC titles. Some of the best stories in this book involve practical jokes and wild nights out, all of which are laugh out loud hilarious and show how these hard-working pit crew individuals add some levity to their demanding jobs. Also enlightening are Nicholas’s insights into the discrimination he and others have faced in the sport, and how he is doing what he can from within to combat it, and also how he is encouraging a more diversified workplace through bettering awareness and education about engineering in minority communities.
I highly recommend this book to Formula 1 fans, but especially for young folks who are looking to start a career in motorsport. Calum Nicholas’s advice—and the advice he shares from his own mentors—is invaluable, and I am more than certain that this memoir will encourage and assist young mechanics and engineers when it comes to pursuing a future career in Formula 1.
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ - EXCELLENT
This memoir—by Senior Power Unit Assembly Technician at Red Bull Racing, Calum Nicholas, who readers might recognize from Netflix’s Drive to Survive and from Formula 1 race weekends in general—is a flat-out encouragement of careers in engineering and motorsport, and exactly what Nicholas wanted it to be, which is the guide he needed growing up.
As a Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen fan, I absolutely loved this inside look into the team’s Formula 1 garage, and how their most famous mechanic’s career led him to the job and the team’s subsequent WCC titles. Some of the best stories in this book involve practical jokes and wild nights out, all of which are laugh out loud hilarious and show how these hard-working pit crew individuals add some levity to their demanding jobs. Also enlightening are Nicholas’s insights into the discrimination he and others have faced in the sport, and how he is doing what he can from within to combat it, and also how he is encouraging a more diversified workplace through bettering awareness and education about engineering in minority communities.
I highly recommend this book to Formula 1 fans, but especially for young folks who are looking to start a career in motorsport. Calum Nicholas’s advice—and the advice he shares from his own mentors—is invaluable, and I am more than certain that this memoir will encourage and assist young mechanics and engineers when it comes to pursuing a future career in Formula 1.
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ - EXCELLENT
September 20, 2025
I'm so glad Calum Nicholas wrote and read this book! I had seen him for years in the Red Bull garage and thought, "Interesting! A Black man in Formula 1 racing (who isn't Lewis Hamilton)." So when, a few races into this year's season, I realized I hadn't seen him this year, I turned to the internet to find out what happened.
What happened was that he left the decidedly family-unfriendly schedule of racing to pursue other ventures that keep him closer to his wife and young daughter. And he wrote this excellent book about his career in motorsport.
The book is equal parts memoir, editorial, and how-to. It totally scratched my itch to know what the life of a racing mechanic is like, and what the contours of a typical week in the F1 paddock are. Without burning any bridges, he offers his thoughts on everything from the sport's cost cap to its changing pit gear regulations. It was everything I hoped for in that regard.
A pleasant bonus was learning more about Nicholas's unlikely, outsiders path to motorsport, and his efforts once there to pay his good fortune forward. He leveraged his social media popularity to highlight the importance of diversity and encourage young people from backgrounds not usually represented in racing to get involved.
Nicholas includes a lot of tips for aspiring mechanics, and calls out places where he got lucky as well as where he made his own luck. His writing and narration were charming, a perfect mix of sincerity and swagger.
What happened was that he left the decidedly family-unfriendly schedule of racing to pursue other ventures that keep him closer to his wife and young daughter. And he wrote this excellent book about his career in motorsport.
The book is equal parts memoir, editorial, and how-to. It totally scratched my itch to know what the life of a racing mechanic is like, and what the contours of a typical week in the F1 paddock are. Without burning any bridges, he offers his thoughts on everything from the sport's cost cap to its changing pit gear regulations. It was everything I hoped for in that regard.
A pleasant bonus was learning more about Nicholas's unlikely, outsiders path to motorsport, and his efforts once there to pay his good fortune forward. He leveraged his social media popularity to highlight the importance of diversity and encourage young people from backgrounds not usually represented in racing to get involved.
Nicholas includes a lot of tips for aspiring mechanics, and calls out places where he got lucky as well as where he made his own luck. His writing and narration were charming, a perfect mix of sincerity and swagger.
July 17, 2025
As someone fascinated by the behind-the-scenes world of Formula 1, Life In the Pitlane was a refreshing and insightful read. Calum Nicholas does a brilliant job pulling back the curtain on what life is really like in the high-pressure environment of the paddock, from the grueling travel schedules to the camaraderie within the team. His tone is honest and engaging, and you can tell he’s writing from genuine experience rather than through rose-tinted lenses.
I especially appreciated the balance between technical insight and the human side of working in motorsport. It’s not often you get such a down-to-earth perspective from someone on the front lines, and Calum makes it accessible whether you’re a hardcore F1 fan or just getting into the sport.
The only reason I’m holding back that last half star is that I wanted more! I found myself wishing the book was longer, with more of the lighter, personal stories—funny moments, oddball travel experiences, or interactions with drivers and crew. Those glimpses were some of my favorite parts, and a few more would have made it a full 5-star read for me.
Still, highly recommended for any F1 enthusiast looking for a real-life glimpse into the world beyond the TV cameras. Hope there’s a sequel one day!
I especially appreciated the balance between technical insight and the human side of working in motorsport. It’s not often you get such a down-to-earth perspective from someone on the front lines, and Calum makes it accessible whether you’re a hardcore F1 fan or just getting into the sport.
The only reason I’m holding back that last half star is that I wanted more! I found myself wishing the book was longer, with more of the lighter, personal stories—funny moments, oddball travel experiences, or interactions with drivers and crew. Those glimpses were some of my favorite parts, and a few more would have made it a full 5-star read for me.
Still, highly recommended for any F1 enthusiast looking for a real-life glimpse into the world beyond the TV cameras. Hope there’s a sequel one day!
May 28, 2025
Life in the Pitlane is just the book I have been looking for. I am not a big fan of non-fiction and even more so autobiographies but when it comes to F1, I can make an exception. For me F1 is such an interesting sport with so many different aspects to it and it takes so many people to keep the sport running. This book gives you an insight into the life of a Red Bull F1 mechanic by the way of Calum Nicholas. You have probably seen his face if you know the sport due to him being a big social media personality due to his time on Drive to Survive. The book gives you an insight on his life to where he is now and his path to get to where he is now, which was a really interesting story. He also touches on his gripes with the sport and where F1 can do better to make the sport more inclusive for everyone of all genders and races which is something that I love. If I would have known about the sport and the opportunities that it provides I can definitely say my life would not be the same as it is now. All in all I love this book and will be recommending it to all my F1 friends. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
January 3, 2026
A wonderful read from the first page to the last. Very interesting to see facets of the sports fans usually don’t get to see, mostly through the eyes of someone who never had it cut out for them, who had to fight so many adversities to stand there. It’s so refreshing to step away from the eyes of drivers and team managers who we get to listen to most days. The pages are covered in advice, tips and information to the point it soon feels like a gold mine. It feels like races alone are only 1% we get to see from the behemoth that is a formula 1 team, in the pages we delve into a world more fans should learn about. Most of all, the many criticisms laid out through the second half of the book highlight some issues I was not aware of, mostly with the cost-cap. Calum Nicholas’ point of view on the sport and his job are furthermore written in way that feels light without being simple. It is an easy is superb read that will pull you back in whenever you close the book for a second. I would recommend it with all my soul, 10/10.
July 1, 2025
4.5 stars.
As an F1 fan wanting to know more about the behind the scenes world of F1 and what it is like in and around the paddock I loved this. Although I have no desire to become a mechanic or engineer of any kind I liked the closer look into what it took for Calum Nicholas to get to where he is.
I especially enjoyed section around his work around equality and inclusivity in the sport and loved that he talked about his partners challenges of being a female and the different expectations set. I also did not know much about the F1 cost cap and what this included, it was an eye opener in regards to what this includes and how it, in parts, almost seems to be working against F1's Net Zero Carbon by 2030 campaign (mainly in relation to travel).
I listened to the audiobook and it really didn't feel like he was reading from a script, but rather telling me directly about his experiences, challenges and highlights of working in a job that he has a passion for.
As an F1 fan wanting to know more about the behind the scenes world of F1 and what it is like in and around the paddock I loved this. Although I have no desire to become a mechanic or engineer of any kind I liked the closer look into what it took for Calum Nicholas to get to where he is.
I especially enjoyed section around his work around equality and inclusivity in the sport and loved that he talked about his partners challenges of being a female and the different expectations set. I also did not know much about the F1 cost cap and what this included, it was an eye opener in regards to what this includes and how it, in parts, almost seems to be working against F1's Net Zero Carbon by 2030 campaign (mainly in relation to travel).
I listened to the audiobook and it really didn't feel like he was reading from a script, but rather telling me directly about his experiences, challenges and highlights of working in a job that he has a passion for.
April 3, 2025
This book is equal parts memoir and how to become an f1 mechanic. The writing is clear, it is mostly laid out chronologically, which makes it delightfully easy to follow, terms that might be unfamiliar to only casual racing fans are defined briefly, so the flow of the narrative is never interrupted, but you’re also never left confused. It does not read as an argument for why Redbull is awesome and we should stop being mean to them online, although this is clearly written by a man who loves his job and is loyal to his team. And it gives great insight into what it is like to be a mechanic in f1, including thoughts on diversity, or the lack thereof, the hidden costs of the cost cap (and the parts he likes), and what the day to day stresses and joys are. All in all I really enjoyed listening to this book and would definitely recommend it to f1 fans, even if you aren’t a Redbull fan.
May 26, 2025
This book had so much potential. I listened to the audiobook, and Calum's narration was exceptional, especially for someone with no acting experience. The writing itself was also very well done.
I truly wish he'd cut the Ted Talk-esque How To bits and just made this a memoir. The sections that focused on his life and memories were great, filled with honesty and a lot of humor. Unfortunately, there were hours-long sections that felt like dry lectures. I applaud Calum's commitment to diversity and improving the sport. I just wish he'd done it in a more natural, personal way. I hope one day in the future, Calum will commit to writing about his experiences in F1 in a more honest and detailed way.
I truly wish he'd cut the Ted Talk-esque How To bits and just made this a memoir. The sections that focused on his life and memories were great, filled with honesty and a lot of humor. Unfortunately, there were hours-long sections that felt like dry lectures. I applaud Calum's commitment to diversity and improving the sport. I just wish he'd done it in a more natural, personal way. I hope one day in the future, Calum will commit to writing about his experiences in F1 in a more honest and detailed way.
July 30, 2025
I've been an F1 fan for longer than you've been alive, I'd reckon. Started watching in 1998 and been hooked ever since. I've never paid too much attention to the pit crews; you don't see much of them, and when you do, they're suited-and-booted and all look the same. So yeah, when you started seeing shots of the Red Bull team and there's a tall black guy with cool dreads, I noticed. "Cool dude" was my genuine thought. And of course he's easy to recognise (which he mentions in this book), because yes, he's the only black guy in the crew, so he's easy to spot, and I learned his face way before he featured on Drive to Survive and got more of a media spotlight.
Calum Nicholas is an engineer who worked in F1 from 2014 to 2024, and was most recognisable as a member of the Red Bull Racing pit crew. This is his memoir, from childhood, through college, and to his first forways into car engineering and his break into F1.
The audiobook is read by the author himself, and he has a calming demeanour. Good narration. It's an interesting read, seeing the side of F1 we don't usually get access to. He goes into discussions about diversity near the end too, which I appreciated.
Good if you're into F1. Cool guy.
Calum Nicholas is an engineer who worked in F1 from 2014 to 2024, and was most recognisable as a member of the Red Bull Racing pit crew. This is his memoir, from childhood, through college, and to his first forways into car engineering and his break into F1.
The audiobook is read by the author himself, and he has a calming demeanour. Good narration. It's an interesting read, seeing the side of F1 we don't usually get access to. He goes into discussions about diversity near the end too, which I appreciated.
Good if you're into F1. Cool guy.
November 25, 2025
3.5 out of 5.
Life in the Pitlane will detail the realities of life off the track; the good and the bad, with a particular spotlight on diversity and inclusion within the sport. I also appreciate that as he was still a member of the race team at the time of writing, so it wasn't likely going to be any juicy insights (I think the most controversial thing in this is the fact he didn't sign the teams social media policy!)
My only complaint was that there wasn't more of what went on during a race weekend (the art of the pit stop was fascinating). What was it like to work with Max Verstappen etc...
Nonetheless, this will be a great insight into the world of F1 for fans - Red Bull or not.
Life in the Pitlane will detail the realities of life off the track; the good and the bad, with a particular spotlight on diversity and inclusion within the sport. I also appreciate that as he was still a member of the race team at the time of writing, so it wasn't likely going to be any juicy insights (I think the most controversial thing in this is the fact he didn't sign the teams social media policy!)
My only complaint was that there wasn't more of what went on during a race weekend (the art of the pit stop was fascinating). What was it like to work with Max Verstappen etc...
Nonetheless, this will be a great insight into the world of F1 for fans - Red Bull or not.
May 10, 2025
As someone who loves F1 and watches Drive to Survive, I immediately knew who Calum was. I was excited to see another book of someone who has experience working in the paddock. This part biography part informative book gives you best of both worlds. Love getting Calum’s experience as a Black man in the elite racing world along with advice. Overall well written and fun read!
I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 22, 2025
I really enjoyed the glimpses into the life of an F1 mechanic this book provided. Deep dives into the process and mechanics of a successful pitstop, and a breakdown of the implications of the FIA cost cap were particularly interesting. I also appreciated learning about Nicholas's personal experiences navigating a career in motorsport as a Black man. I wish him well in his future role as an ambassador with Red Bull Racing! (3.5 stars)
June 24, 2025
An in-depth look into life as a F1 mechanic .
I really enjoyed listening to Callum’s point of view. His experiences and what it’s like to work in an environment that not many people will ever get to experience.
My one gripe at times it felt a tiny bit repetitive but overall I loved it and listening to it on audiobook with him narrating it really felt like it was a friend telling me their story !
I really enjoyed listening to Callum’s point of view. His experiences and what it’s like to work in an environment that not many people will ever get to experience.
My one gripe at times it felt a tiny bit repetitive but overall I loved it and listening to it on audiobook with him narrating it really felt like it was a friend telling me their story !
September 20, 2025
Incredible ! Might I add that the audiobook is, in my opinion, even better because it being read by the author himself truly feels like you’re sitting down with him to just hearing him talk about how life. From life behind the scenes in racing, to having very important discussions about inclusivity in the industry, and tips and tricks to inspire and help the newer generation of racing fans find careers in the industry.. couldn’t recommend this more
November 13, 2025
Some really interesting insights into Calum’s journey into the world of F1, particularly the struggles he faced along the way. Again, more interesting insights into different F1 teams and how they operate, as well as the lifestyle you live as a Pitlane mechanic. The only thing that lets this down is how boring some of the chapters are, I almost gave up half way through the book. Overall, worth a listen.
July 4, 2025
Really enjoyed this rare look inside the world of racing from the perspective of a mechanic,
but calum nicholas is much more than just a mechanic, a world champion winning one as well as being one of the select few black mechanics in f1 history
He comes off as a very likable person throughout as he brings you from his life journey to how he got to this point in his career
but calum nicholas is much more than just a mechanic, a world champion winning one as well as being one of the select few black mechanics in f1 history
He comes off as a very likable person throughout as he brings you from his life journey to how he got to this point in his career
July 20, 2025
leest lekker weg, leuk om "de andere kant" te leren kennen, niet alleen de garage maar de wereld eromheen en de zaken waar hij tegenaan liep. als je nooit f1 kijkt of weet wat een wheelgun is wordt het wel lastig een beeld te hebben bij sommige beschrijvingen, maar het is niet ingewikkeld, en dan lees je dit waarschijnlijk ook niet :D. er zitten trouwens ook fotos in dit boek
August 29, 2025
Great read! Callum does a great job giving perspective from a rarely seen point of view of F1 Garages around the globe. He is generally unfiltered, highlights the highs and lows of F1 and the journey that this F1 Mechanic took to get to where he is today. He addresses the issues of diversity in the sport and is an inspiration to people who aspire to work in Motorsport.
October 7, 2025
( Format : Audiobook )
" Messing around with cars"
Read by the author.
Quite interesting at times - gives the lowdown on how those super fast wheel changes are achieved in the pit lan as well as recounting his personal history of how he secured a place in a formula One constructor team before ending up in Red Bull.
" Messing around with cars"
Read by the author.
Quite interesting at times - gives the lowdown on how those super fast wheel changes are achieved in the pit lan as well as recounting his personal history of how he secured a place in a formula One constructor team before ending up in Red Bull.
March 17, 2025
I listened to this on audio and loved it! It was super interesting to hear some of the BTS of F1. And I was brought to tears a few times by Calum’s persistence to do what he loves. Very inspiring book!
April 7, 2025
A fantastic insight into the various roles in the an F1 team also fascinating to hear Callum’s background how he came about entering F1 what he had to sacrifice to do so, also to hear how he is using his experience and status to make the future generations path to F1 that bit simpler
May 25, 2025
Really good but no better than any of his podcast episodes. The wheel gun breakdown was interesting and his insights on the effects of the cost cap were interesting. The cost cap regulations causing essentially rent-controlled salaries is wild.
September 5, 2025
Not a bad audiobook experience. Not phenomenal, but not bad. I enjoyed it. My only minor nitpick is that the author sounds like he's faking a British accent lol. Which is absurd because he is British. I think he's just trying to sound more RP.
January 7, 2026
An interesting read of the life of Formula One pit mechanics and the demands
on the work to maintain the car for race day.
It made it look a lot harder then it looks especially with the constant travel,
A bool for the F1 fans.
on the work to maintain the car for race day.
It made it look a lot harder then it looks especially with the constant travel,
A bool for the F1 fans.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews