The ultimate access-all-areas guide to modern F1
Luke Smith takes you behind the scenes of Formula 1, from the starting grid to the pit lane, revealing the people and split-second decisions that shape every race weekend. A vivid insider look at the sport’s drama, technology and culture.
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On The Grid: The Inside Track On F1
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The ultimate access-all-areas guide to modern F1
Luke Smith takes you behind the scenes of Formula 1, from the starting grid to the pit lane, revealing the people and split-second decisions that shape every race weekend. A vivid insider look at the sport’s drama, technology and culture.
- Book Synopsis
-
'On the Grid is incredibly special. I loved every thoughtfully written word' Will Buxton
'Luke is one of the foremost journalists within the paddock. His book draws the curtain back on our sport... Very few titles have covered the stories of the unsung members of the F1 community in this level of detail and with such vibrancy' Toto Wolff
'Even if you think you know everything there is to know about Formula 1, you'll learn something within these pages' GP Racing
Formula 1 might only have twenty drivers in its most elite competition, but each is supported by a world-class team of mechanics, engineers, strategists, party planners and much more.
In On the Grid journalist Luke Smith takes us behind the scenes of the past, present and future of the sport, telling its story through the eyes of the people who create it, including the all-important fans.
We see thrilling drama, cutting-edge technology, the stress and the glamour. Smith takes us to the starting grid, full of engine fumes and sweat, to yacht parties in Monaco and to the pit lane for the critical mid-race decisions.
We see how a fifty-pence screw in the wrong place could cause a £15m car to break down, how F1 has influenced not just the cars we drive but life-saving medical equipment and even croissants, how you create a Grand Prix track from scratch.
On the Grid shows us what it's like to work in a high-pressure and inherently dangerous sport; showcases the personalities that give it such drama and intrigue; examines how the sport is addressing its critics around inclusivity and environmental impact. For both long-time fans and newcomers, what results is the definitive, access-all-areas account of what makes F1 stand alone in world sport.
Ideal for readers who...
- want an access-all-areas look at Formula 1 beyond the twenty drivers
- love behind-the-scenes stories about mechanics, engineers, strategists and the wider paddock
- enjoy the blend of high-stakes drama, cutting-edge technology, and race-day decision-making
- are curious about how F1 influences everyday life, from road cars to unexpected innovations
- want a definitive, vivid introduction to how the sport works for newcomers and seasoned fans
- About The Author
- Luke Smith is a Formula 1 and motorsport journalist based in Bexhill-on-Sea. He is currently a Senior Writer covering Formula 1 for The Athletic and his work regularly features in the New York Times as he follows the sport's travelling circus. Prior to The Athletic, Luke spent ten years reporting on Formula 1 for Autosport and NBC Sports, among other media outlets. He regularly makes both television and radio appearances as a Formula 1 pundit. Luke does not have a driving licence.
- Product Details
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- ISBN
- 9781398532496
- Format
- Paperback
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster UK Ltd., (12 February 2026)
- Number of Pages
- 304
- Language
- English
- Dimensions
- 20 mm
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