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Formula One: The Champions: 70 years of legendary F1 drivers
Since the Grand Prix's start in 1950 just 33 men have achieved the accolade of F1 World Champion. For the first time, legendary F1 commentator Maurice Hamilton and award-winning photographers Bernard and Paul-Henri Cahier bring the heroes of this iconic sport together, in a stunning photographic portrayal of the poise, skill and winning mindset that separates the fast from the furious, the elite from the talented.
With exclusive quotes from icons such as Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, and including Maurice's historic interviews with the sport's lost heroes - including James Hunt and Aryton Senna - The Champions is a beautiful tribute to the most ferocious of sports and the incredible sportsmen who drive at the edge in pursuit of greatness.
With exclusive quotes from icons such as Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, and including Maurice's historic interviews with the sport's lost heroes - including James Hunt and Aryton Senna - The Champions is a beautiful tribute to the most ferocious of sports and the incredible sportsmen who drive at the edge in pursuit of greatness.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 1, 2023
A book about the 33 Formula 1 World Champions at the time (this was written before Max Verstappen became the 34th driver to win the title).
I only picked this up because I wanted to read the chapters about Kimi Räikkönen (brief, but good), Jim Clark (disappointing) and Ayrton Senna (okay, with a few nice passages). But I ended up reading at least 80% of it, so I decided to add and rate the book after all.
It's a short book. One only gets between 6 and 10 pages per driver, which includes some space for (nice) pictures. So, one shouldn't expect to get much more than a basic idea what kind of a person and driver the respective champion was.
The foreword was written by Bernie Ecclestone, who (gasp) chose Alain Prost as the greatest of them all. But Bernie being Bernie, a day later it could have well been Fangio. And then the week after maybe it was Senna. Well, at least he picked someone that is in the conversation. This is a question that is impossible to answer anyway.
Who had been the best of them all also isn't a question the book even tries to answer. In fact, it doesn't answer much of anything for people that already know a lot about the history of the sport.
I still enjoyed reading it. And it reminded me why I had been a fan of Jacques Villeneuve back in the day, what with his peculiar personality, a mix between nerd and adrenalin junkie, and his meteoric rise before his star burned up early.
I also realized that Nelson Piquet's personality had some similarities to James Hunt and Kimi Räikkönen, two drivers I admired. Piquet, on the other hand, I couldn't stand. But that's mostly down to his fraught relationship with Ayrton Senna, I think. Although, watching the late 70s and early 80s F1 seasons recently made him rise some places in my personal ranking of best F1 drivers.
Anyways, neither a bad nor a great book, this was decent entertainment for two or three evenings. I just wish that chapter about Jim Clark had been better.
I only picked this up because I wanted to read the chapters about Kimi Räikkönen (brief, but good), Jim Clark (disappointing) and Ayrton Senna (okay, with a few nice passages). But I ended up reading at least 80% of it, so I decided to add and rate the book after all.
It's a short book. One only gets between 6 and 10 pages per driver, which includes some space for (nice) pictures. So, one shouldn't expect to get much more than a basic idea what kind of a person and driver the respective champion was.
The foreword was written by Bernie Ecclestone, who (gasp) chose Alain Prost as the greatest of them all. But Bernie being Bernie, a day later it could have well been Fangio. And then the week after maybe it was Senna. Well, at least he picked someone that is in the conversation. This is a question that is impossible to answer anyway.
Who had been the best of them all also isn't a question the book even tries to answer. In fact, it doesn't answer much of anything for people that already know a lot about the history of the sport.
I still enjoyed reading it. And it reminded me why I had been a fan of Jacques Villeneuve back in the day, what with his peculiar personality, a mix between nerd and adrenalin junkie, and his meteoric rise before his star burned up early.
I also realized that Nelson Piquet's personality had some similarities to James Hunt and Kimi Räikkönen, two drivers I admired. Piquet, on the other hand, I couldn't stand. But that's mostly down to his fraught relationship with Ayrton Senna, I think. Although, watching the late 70s and early 80s F1 seasons recently made him rise some places in my personal ranking of best F1 drivers.
Anyways, neither a bad nor a great book, this was decent entertainment for two or three evenings. I just wish that chapter about Jim Clark had been better.
January 31, 2020
Formula One is generally thought of as the pinnacle of motorsport and it follows that those who have become world champion have achieved the very highest accolade the sport has to offer. Since it was first introduced, in 1950, the races that comprise the championship have spanned the globe. There have been 33 champions from 14 different nations. To win the overall prize it’s necessary to accrue points from the various races, with the driver holding most points at the end of the season being crowned the winner.
This gorgeous book celebrates the various champions with a section on each. Of course there are a number of drivers who have achieved this feat more than once, the legends of the sport such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and the current champion Lewis Hamilton, but for many it was a once only achievement. Some of the stories told here are extraordinary but there is sadness too, it’s a dangerous sport and when twice world champion Alberto Ascari drove his car into the harbour during the Monaco Grand Prix, in 1955, it was amazing that he survived the incident. Tragically, he was to be killed in his race car just four days later.
I’ve been a follower of this sport for many years and can recall those featured here from Scotsman Jackie Stewart onwards. My personal favourites include British drivers James Hunt, Nigel Mansell and of course Lewis Hamilton. My son is an avid fan and we plan to spend three days at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone later this year. This book is a visual feast for followers of Formula One, with the wonderful photographs supported by brief but informative text. A superb item for anyone who is captured by this exciting and dramatic sport.
My sincere thanks to Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This gorgeous book celebrates the various champions with a section on each. Of course there are a number of drivers who have achieved this feat more than once, the legends of the sport such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and the current champion Lewis Hamilton, but for many it was a once only achievement. Some of the stories told here are extraordinary but there is sadness too, it’s a dangerous sport and when twice world champion Alberto Ascari drove his car into the harbour during the Monaco Grand Prix, in 1955, it was amazing that he survived the incident. Tragically, he was to be killed in his race car just four days later.
I’ve been a follower of this sport for many years and can recall those featured here from Scotsman Jackie Stewart onwards. My personal favourites include British drivers James Hunt, Nigel Mansell and of course Lewis Hamilton. My son is an avid fan and we plan to spend three days at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone later this year. This book is a visual feast for followers of Formula One, with the wonderful photographs supported by brief but informative text. A superb item for anyone who is captured by this exciting and dramatic sport.
My sincere thanks to Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2020
An in depth record of all the F1 world champions packed with information and crammed with action photographs capturing personality and the cars they drove. 70 years is a hard span to bridge and this publication does so with ease and great skill.
There is no attempt to assess the best of the best. Rather it shows talent in its various forms that when driver and car were in harness winning was still i undermined by a number of factors. Reliability, politics, injury, team orders and support crews.
I saw my first foreign Grand Prix at Zandvoort in 1975 and followed the sport closely for a while reading Autosport weekly. I also got their equivalent of an annual each year reflecting on the past season.
With motor racing journalism the hardest part seems to me to be brief while still being relevant and clear. This is what marked out this book and the precise writing style that devoted similar column inches to each driver regardless of multiple championships or one year successes.
It was a good reminder of all the stars who have achieved the ultimate accolade over long and far travelled circuits that make up the racing calendar.
In my time I was aware of the dangers when things go wrong and remember the loss of drivers regardless of skill, experience and car they drove. It was good to be reminded of Jackie Stewart’s stand to improve basic safety and the medical teams, stewards and race marshals we take for granted. It still came as a shock to see the deaths of drivers and spectators in the earlier years of this sport.
A better summary of these great champions you be hard to find. Certainly it is worth it for the photographs alone. With pointers where to go for more in depth reading and feed your interest.
I loved the humanity of the pen portraits which highlighted dignity and respect in the sport. The best example perhaps the driver who remembered a former mechanic in their time of need.
There is no attempt to assess the best of the best. Rather it shows talent in its various forms that when driver and car were in harness winning was still i undermined by a number of factors. Reliability, politics, injury, team orders and support crews.
I saw my first foreign Grand Prix at Zandvoort in 1975 and followed the sport closely for a while reading Autosport weekly. I also got their equivalent of an annual each year reflecting on the past season.
With motor racing journalism the hardest part seems to me to be brief while still being relevant and clear. This is what marked out this book and the precise writing style that devoted similar column inches to each driver regardless of multiple championships or one year successes.
It was a good reminder of all the stars who have achieved the ultimate accolade over long and far travelled circuits that make up the racing calendar.
In my time I was aware of the dangers when things go wrong and remember the loss of drivers regardless of skill, experience and car they drove. It was good to be reminded of Jackie Stewart’s stand to improve basic safety and the medical teams, stewards and race marshals we take for granted. It still came as a shock to see the deaths of drivers and spectators in the earlier years of this sport.
A better summary of these great champions you be hard to find. Certainly it is worth it for the photographs alone. With pointers where to go for more in depth reading and feed your interest.
I loved the humanity of the pen portraits which highlighted dignity and respect in the sport. The best example perhaps the driver who remembered a former mechanic in their time of need.
November 13, 2022
Fans of F1, run, don’t walk, to Kindle Unlimited!! This was such a great read. It highlights all the amazing achievements of drivers, as well as F1’s brutal history of accidents, deaths and tragedies. I knew the sport was dangerous but every accident mentioned made my jaw drop.
It’s pretty short and easy to read, and briefly describes each world champion’s history and personality. It was a really great insight into their rivalries and journeys into the sport, and what they did after their retirement.
It also includes lots of photographs and it’s so cool to see how the sport has changed since the 1950s.
It’s pretty short and easy to read, and briefly describes each world champion’s history and personality. It was a really great insight into their rivalries and journeys into the sport, and what they did after their retirement.
It also includes lots of photographs and it’s so cool to see how the sport has changed since the 1950s.
February 29, 2024
Great history of F1 champions those living and not
January 9, 2020
What a good book this was to read about F1 champions through the years. I wouldn't call myself an ardent F1 fan but I enjoy following from a distance this sport, especially to see who does become F1 champion of the year. Sadly reading this book, it reminds you that so many died for a sport and well done to the likes of Jackie Stewart who fought to get safety improved. What I also enjoyed in this book was the excellent use of photographs, helped to really capture each champion.
January 13, 2023
Not too bad, reads like a coffee table book. Really shows how wild the 50’s through 70’s were for F1 when every driver would retire by dying in a race.
October 16, 2024
This is more of a photo album with short comments than an actual book. The book focuses on all Formula 1 championship winners till 2021. Every driver gets an average of 4-6 pages that are mainly photos. Do not get me wrong - beautiful pictures, many of them I have never seen and the quality of these is very good, but the text briefly describes the champions and their lives. It's a nice coffee table book for sure, but it has no new info or surprising facts about its heroes.
February 20, 2023
Sometimes only scratching the surface of the drivers' lifes and careers, but what would you expect from a book like this? I especially loved the pictures in the book!
April 5, 2020
A racing book that is a tribute to all of the Formula one champions since 1950. Of course, some of these champions have won more than one. They race around the world and receive points based on where they finish. When the season ends, he with the most points wins the championship. Lewis Hamilton has won the last few championships.
You get excellent photos and a description of each champion from 1950 onward. The author goes into some interesting facts that most people don’t know, other information you might. I myself thought it was all good and it was nice reading once again about Jackie Stewart, James Hunt, Michael Schumacher, and others.
I found this to be an excellent book for the casual fan or for the person that follows the sport. I have always liked formula one racing and though I knew some of the information I found this book to be worth the read. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
You get excellent photos and a description of each champion from 1950 onward. The author goes into some interesting facts that most people don’t know, other information you might. I myself thought it was all good and it was nice reading once again about Jackie Stewart, James Hunt, Michael Schumacher, and others.
I found this to be an excellent book for the casual fan or for the person that follows the sport. I have always liked formula one racing and though I knew some of the information I found this book to be worth the read. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
December 23, 2020
44/55 books read in 2020.
Gorgeous photos & enough information on each driver to get you informed but not an overload of facts.
Not a lot of new information for the well-seasoned fan.
Would make a great coffee table book ;)
Gorgeous photos & enough information on each driver to get you informed but not an overload of facts.
Not a lot of new information for the well-seasoned fan.
Would make a great coffee table book ;)
February 21, 2023
Good history of F1
I liked learning about the different personalities who succeeded
in Formula 1 over the years. I got to know that each was uniquely driven from widely varying backgrounds. This is great for any new fans of the sport. The accounts only lack interviews with the drivers, even second-hand.
I liked learning about the different personalities who succeeded
in Formula 1 over the years. I got to know that each was uniquely driven from widely varying backgrounds. This is great for any new fans of the sport. The accounts only lack interviews with the drivers, even second-hand.
November 12, 2022
Interesting encyclopedia about Formula 1 world champions until 2020 accompanied with some very good photos. There is short story about every champion explaining how he won the title. Also the quality of the book and photos is very good.
January 12, 2023
Great history
A very good run through 70 years of formula one champions. Photos don't work very well in the kindle version, but the history is great. I remembered them all apart from Farina, I didn't realise he was a champion racer.
A very good run through 70 years of formula one champions. Photos don't work very well in the kindle version, but the history is great. I remembered them all apart from Farina, I didn't realise he was a champion racer.
December 21, 2024
Excellent photography and tidbits on each world champion. I think some of the author’s statements leave out vital context of certain situations, but a good high level look at each champion. Just wish it was a bit longer.
July 20, 2021
s🅱inalla
September 14, 2022
Good summary of F1 Champions through 2019
Enjoyed reading about all F1 World Champions & photos were amazing. Hopefully this will be updated with recent seasons to keep it current.
Enjoyed reading about all F1 World Champions & photos were amazing. Hopefully this will be updated with recent seasons to keep it current.
December 3, 2022
It's a nice book to know a little about each champion from Farina until Nico Rosberg, but it could have more depth.
December 27, 2022
A very well-crafted encyclopedia about world champions.
Many iconic shots together will delight every F1 fan.
Many iconic shots together will delight every F1 fan.
June 15, 2023
Great look at all of the F1 champions
Enjoyable look at the history of Formula one champion s in chronological order. Packed with awesome photography that captures key moments.
Enjoyable look at the history of Formula one champion s in chronological order. Packed with awesome photography that captures key moments.
July 6, 2024
Formula 1
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews