F1 Mavericks: The Men and Machines that Revolutionized Formula 1 Racing

Description

F1 Mavericks is the story of the grandest, most influential, and most fondly remembered era in Formula 1 racing as seen through the lens of master motorsports photographer, Pete Biro and the words of award-winning author George Levy. The period from 1960 to 1982 saw the greatest technological changes in the history of Formula 1 racing: the transition from front engines to rear engines , narrow, treaded tires to massive racing slicks , zero downforce to neck-wrenching ground effects—and, of course, a staggering increase in performance and reduction in lap times. In short, the Maverick Era saw the creation of the modern Formula 1 car . This is also the time when legendary names who defined F1 were out in full force: Jim Clark, Jack Brabham, Dan Gurney, Sir Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, Niki Lauda, James Hunt, Bruce McLaren, Jody Scheckter. We'll see and meet all of them . But F1 Mavericks also focuses on the maverick designers and engineers behind the cars—men like Colin Chapman, Mauro Forghieri, Sir Patrick Head, Maurice Philippe, Gordon Murray, Robin Herd and many others. We'll hear directly from many of them, including a foreword from 1978 F1 World Champion, Mario Andretti and afterword from the late three-time champion Niki Lauda. Every chapter is a photographic account of important races throughout the period, supplemented with sidebars featuring key designers and technologies, like wings, ground effect, slick tires, turbochargers, and the Brabham "fan" suction car. F1 Mavericks is an international story, and includes designs from Japan (Honda), Britain (McLaren, Tyrrell, Cooper, BRM) Italy (Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo), France (Matra, Ligier, Renault), Germany (Porsche, BMW) and the United States (Eagle, Shadow, Penske, Parnelli). Strap yourself in for the story of the greatest era in Formula 1 racing--it's all here in F1 Mavericks . Review: Very well-written and illustrated with outstanding photography by Pete Brio. - Author George Levy and photographer Pete Biro present in detail the periodic chart of elemental designers and cutting-edge technologies propelling one of the most fascinating and innovative eras that made modern F1 cars the fastest road racing machines of all time. From iron to carbon and everything in between. Design gurus Colin Chapman (Lotus), Mauro Forghieri (Ferrari), Sir Patrick Head (Williams), John Barnard (McLaren/Ferrari), Gordon Murray (Brabham/McLaren) and many others. Some motorsport books are very well written, others feature spectacular images; F1 Mavericks is the rare book which succeeds on both levels by taking you inside the most brilliant minds behind the cars at the sharp end of the grid which inspired generations of racers and enthusiasts. At the same time it will wow you with unforgettable illustrations by master motorsport photographer Pete Biro. Very highly recommended. Would make a great gift for anyone interested in F1 or motorsport. Foreword by Mario Andretti. Afterword by Niki Lauda. 240 pages with many B&W and color photos. Published by Motorbooks in 2019. This wonderful book is printed on heavy weight paper stock with beautiful dust jacket, pictorial covers and endpapers. Retails for $50, but a bargain on desertcart for $36. Review: Relive the Wild West of Formula 1 - If you've followed Formula 1 through the decades, this is a fun rehash of the breakthroughs in design that brought teams to the front... and sent them to the back. If you haven't followed the sport, then this is a nice introduction. A greatest hits version that highlights the design mavens, accompanied by nice photos from a few races of the era. It's a well produced and printed book except for the odd decision to print some of the key pages in black ink on a dark red background, which makes them very difficult to read.