Formula 1, 75 Years: At Speed with the World’s Greatest Motorsport

Beginning in Europe in 1950, major road races for open-wheel cars have been run to sanctioning formulas that limit engine size and vehicle weight. From a handful of Summer Grand Prix, Formula 1 has gradually gone worldwide, with 10 sponsored teams now contesting 24 races. It’s considered the premier auto racing series, annually celebrating a world champion driver and constructor. Formula 1’s Race broadcasts and online presence attract hundreds of millions of viewers. British automotive journalists Codling (The Story of Ferrari) and Roberts trace Formula 1’s evolution decade by decade. Early cars and road circuits were extremely hazardous; many gifted drivers died on the job. Despite increasing speed, safety today has been tremendously improved. Sidebars in the book highlight defining events, significant cars, and all the world champion drivers, with an appendix listing race results through 2024. Mason’s sharp photographic content is plentiful but doesn’t always line up with the relevant text.