Gilles displaying his trademark sideways style, Argentina 1981. Copyright International Press Agency

Throughout the history of F1 there’s been drivers that come and go, with some making more of a mark than others, and in one particular case, a French-Canadian racer has certainly made one of the biggest indelible marks ever. In Gerald Donaldson’s “Gilles Villeneuve – The life Of The Legendary Racing Driver”, all the marks have been collated brilliantly in to one volume.

Gilles in relaxed mood. © The Toronto Star

Gilles, the son of a piano tuner father, was born in Richelieu, and grew up down the road in Berthierville, Quebec in Canada. He developed a competitive edge and a sense for speed at an early age, which never left him. Whether it was a car or a snowmobile (another form of racing he was rather good at), Gilles drove it without fear and with a complete belief in his ability. His extraordinary car control took him through the lower ranks up to Formula Atlantic, competing in races across North America in the 1970’s. Early adversaries included Bobby Rahal and Keke Rosberg, which stood Gilles in good stead to challenge the really big names from Europe who came over occasionally for races. 1976 F1 World Champion James Hunt was so impressed with Gilles’ ability, that he got him into his McLaren team as a third driver! Gilles was desperate to get into F1 and made enough of an impression that word got round to none other than Enzo Ferrari and he was hired. Within a year Gilles notched up victories and memorable performances. He’d certainly arrived!

F1 folk, fans, and the media were all blown away by the little and shy French-Canadian’s incredible though often unorthodox, style of racing. As the title of Donaldson’s book states, Gilles became a legend in his own lifetime. All the famous races are thoroughly documented -his last lap battle with Rene Arnoux in France; driving in the rain to third place in Canada with his vision obscured by his broken front wing; and holding off a train of four cars with worn-out tyres on his way to victory in Spain.

Gilles wins first Grand Prix, Canada 1978. © Parent Collection

The book immediately informs the reader with a Prologue, of the impact on the racing world of the tragic day in May 1982, when Gilles was killed during qualifying for the Belgian GP. I myself, who was watching on a black and white portable TV, remember the news coming through during the Saturday afternoon sports programme that Gilles had had a big accident, and later that evening when his death was confirmed, have the events brought back vividly to mind through the text. In fact the book doesn’t shy away from mortality, or that Gilles could have a career or life ending crash sooner or later.

The chapter headings all deal with a similar theme, for example -”Early Times,” “The Time Of His Life” and “Time Runs Out.”

What a duel -Villeneuve vs Arnoux, Dijon 1979. © Phipps Photographic

Donaldson, tries to write in a neutral way, without gushing admiration and exposes Gilles’ faults for all to read. The admiration is left to come from captivating quotes from other drivers, team personnel, fans, journalists, and well, anyone who knew him. The book also received assistance with content from writer Len Coates who was planning to write with Gilles, and also journalist Nigel Roebuck who was friends with him. Between them, Gilles’ voice is heard on various aspects of his career, whether it was family, racing or his desire to spend his earnings on expensive toys like his helicopter.

His chopper was driven in the same flat-out way as his car was, and brought fear and white knuckles to his passengers in every journey! Stories of such incidents are compelling, and tales of almost lunatic fast drives such as the daily run between Monte Carlo (the home) and Maranello (the office), are hilarious! Getting round the wrath of armed border police with a few autographs, were all in a day’s work for the superstar that was Gilles Villeneuve! This is just one of many funny moments that help to maintain a lighter mood, despite the book’s undercurrent that this kind of lifestyle can’t last for ever.

Published in 1989, the book is prior to Gilles’ son Jacques F1 racing career taking off (though he was in Italian F3 by then), and no father and son comparisons are made. Photos of Gilles and Jacques are of course included amongst the 16 pages of colour and black and white images, along with pictures of his most renowned number 27 Ferrari, and also his closest friends -manager Gaston Parent, and colleague Jody Scheckter. At 352 pages this biography is a well crafted, engrossing and enjoyable look at the fabulous world of Gilles Villenueve. You’ll be awake late reading this one!

Mansell Monaco 1981 © Sporting Pictures

As the shining star of the Midlands karting scene, and against his father’s wishes, Nigel pushed forward into the adult racing world of Formula Ford and then Formula 3 during the 1970’s. With an engineering qualification under his belt and cash from window cleaning and selling his home, the determined slog continued towards Formula 1 where Nigel secured a test driving role for Lotus for the 1980 season. A great relationship developed between the boss Colin Chapman and Our Nige’ and he was finally allowed to race, but the wins didn’t develop. After a switch to Williams cars, the chance came to really compete at the sharp end and the moustached British Lion never looked back!

Page after page, we feel Nigel’s strength and determination to succeed and how he deals with all the obstacles placed in his way. Such obstacles in the shapes of Alain Prost and Nelson Piquet Snr who are described as being amongst the lower end of God’s creatures! Nigel is certainly not one to shy away from confrontation with such folk, and as a big bloke, he’s quite happy to tell people face to face in the paddock that he’s not one to be messed with. On the other hand, we also feel Nigel’s admiration and softer side for the likes of Keke Rosberg and Gilles Villeneuve, and respect for arch rival Ayrton Senna, and are invited into the cockpit to see his techniques at how he took them on with his ragged edge on-the-limit driving style. Driving is really Nigel’s passion, and he justifies his romantic approach to racing throughout the book, as it is often at odds with the more political goings-on in the world of F1.

Mansell, Senna 1992 © Autosport

Mistakes and accidents on track are explained with emotional, practical and philosophical reasoning, against the onslaught of criticism that Nigel received, not just from the media but from his own team personnel, would you believe! One of whom famously stated “Mansell will never win a Grand Prix as long as I have a hole in my arse.” Well, the bottom line was that Nigel was good enough to win, proving it many times on his way to the elusive World Championship title, before starting a new challenge in the United States in the IndyCar series.

The layout of Mansell’s book is split into three sections. The first of which is “The Secret of Success,” where he shares insightful overviews on his philosophy of racing, and his perspective on life. The second section “The Greasy Pole” follows a more chronological approach from childhood and continues into the third “Winning,” which discusses battling for championships. Furthermore at the end of each chapter are several telling tributes from drivers, team personnel and colourful characters from around the paddock who knew Nigel as a good mate. The hardback edition hit the shelves in 1995, and has 32 pages showing plenty of glossy snapshots of Nigel’s highs and lows at the track, and away from it. The paperback edition treats us generously to an extra chapter, bringing the tally up to hefty 480 pages, whilst for the serious collector there is in fact an audio book version out there on good old cassette tape, read by one of Nigel’s greatest admirers -Murray Walker.

Mansell Brazil © Formula One Pictures

Colin Chapman once said “In adversity we strive,” and in “My Autobiography”, Nigel Mansell has told a gritty and often humorous tale, of how he’s taken Chapman’s spirit and carried on regardless to reach the top step. It’s inspiring stuff.

• Published by HarperCollins 1994.
• Hardback RRP £10.99. Paperback RRP £5.99.
• Buy it now from Amazon:

I’m sure we’d all like to win a Grand Prix given half a chance, and this book lays down a path to victory so long as we get our brains in gear and do the sums. Using statistics from the 2003 F1 season, we are tested on our ability to do calculations, handle data, measure, work with number systems, and investigate shape and spacial awareness. Blimey, if all this sounds terrifying, try to stay calm, take a deep breath and remember that all this mental strain is towards your goal of winning the Monaco Grand Prix and er, fighting for the World Driver’s Championship!

example questions

Of course in the real world, things are a little different, but in our case, we get things started by using a data box to work out our air mileage to races during the season; we have a pictogram to calculate how many laps certain circuits have during a race; and we have a table of downforce settings to work out what’s the quickest set-up during a three sector lap. Come the race day, we have to organise driver activities into time slots; calculate if necessary car repairs can be completed before the race starts; and work out fuel consumption for the optimum pit stop strategy during the race. If you get stuck on something and feel an urge to put your arm in the air to attract a teacher but find that there isn’t one available, there’s a Tips For Maths Success section included that’s really helpful. But don’t be tempted to take a sneaky peak at the Answers section on the very next page before you’ve had a good go at solving the puzzles!

All the mindbending conundrums are interspersed with Car Facts, Race Facts, Team Facts and even Champion Facts, giving us little tasters of need-to-know stuff like how much a driver is fined for each kmh over the pit lane speed limit, or how many people are employed to look after an engine during a GP weekend. Come on admit it, how many maths text books at your school had this much high octane excitement?! We even get action photos oozing from the 32 full colour pages displaying the likes of Coulthard, Schumacher and Montoya -drivers that are in all probability, quite good at maths! They’re not quite up there with Archimedes, Newton or Pythagorus, but let it be an incentive folks!

Perhaps you’re revising for exams, or you’re a parent with offspring who needs a bit of guidance in all things numerical, or maybe you skived a lot of maths lessons at school and would like to brush up your skills, and need something to grab your attention. Well, these exercises could be just the tonic. Later you can impress your teacher and mates when you get rumbled for reading what looks like this week’s Autosport in class, when in fact it’s a respected maths practice book for age 8-12+ that supports curriculum work taught at Key Stage 2 no less! Now, who said that maths was boring?!

• Published by Ticktock Entertainment Ltd 2004.
• Hardback RRP £9.99. Paperback RRP £4.99.
• Buy it now from Amazon:

WORKING THE WHEEL by Martin Brundle with Maurice Hamilton.

Book Review by Riccardo Monza.

Martin Brundle has been a recognizable voice on television for many years now, captivating and entertained audiences with his co-comentatary and grid-walks before the start. But before all those mic to camera pieces, he was once a driver dialed in like the rest, who had little concern for TV interviews. ‘Working The Wheel’ is Brundle’s account of driving a selection of his favourite racetracks and the reality of what goes on in and around each venue.

Brundle France 1995 - © LAT Photographic

A total of eighteen circuits from around the globe are covered. Many well known circuits that are still on the F1 calendar are included, such as Silverstone, Suzuka and Monza. Whereas others that aren’t used anymore like Adelaide and Detroit, get a mention too. Brundle’s other love of sports cars shows up in his account of legendary Le Mans. A simple track diagram with corner names opens each chapter, then a description of the circuit’s location, what it’s like to drive round the track -nailing this corner and braking for that hairpin etc, before giving his account of a memorable race be it glorious or shambolic.

Adelaide Map - credit: Michael Agar.

There are eight pages of photos within the 304 pages. Some pictures are personal to the author with champagne being sprayed or his car taking a corner at an exciting angle, whilst others are there to give insight into the character of a particular circuit, such as the spectacular high-rise paddock hotel at Detroit. The book’s hardback edition came off the press in 2004, with the paperback in its slipstream a year later.

Rio De Janeiro was the location of Brundle’s first race in Formula 1. A place that had a grubby feel to it apparently, due to filthy garages and a pong from a rubbish tip or sewage farm nearby. Despite the smell, Brundle drove his Tyrrell brilliantly to finish fifth, only for the governing body to later throw the team out of the championship for a technical breach! As readers, we get a good story but without the stink, thankfully!

Brundle and Senna 1983 © LAT Photographic

There were many near misses in Brundle’s F1 career to score a victory, and he explains his heart breaking retirement from the 1992 Canadian Grand Prix, whilst in second place and insight of the leader. The tale unfolds how Ayrton Senna (who’d retired at the same corner also) had his brain very much switched on and reported back to his pit -via his helmet radio, details of the opposing team’s tyre wear after a close inspection of a sulking Brundle’s stricken car! Ayrton was very much respected by Martin since their days together battling in Formula 3, so always took inspiration from his often unusual antics.

Crashes are part of a racing driver’s life and Brundle had one or two whoppers in his time. Several pages are written in great detail, about his mega shunt in Melbourne 1996. Even though there was only one wheel left on the tumbling car, his instinct was to still try to steer it (work the wheel) during the accident! His calmness in returning to the cockpit of his spare car only minutes later, shows a real character to shrug things off and get on with the job in hand.

‘Working The Wheel’ is Brundle’s ‘picture of what it is really like to work on and around circuits as a professional driver’, told like it is, in a no nonsense way. In fact, just how we like it!

Published by Ebury Press. RRP: £6.99 – and it’s available on Amazon here: Martin Brundle: Working the Wheel

If you’re stuck for Christmas presents this year, look no further than Badger’s Christmas shopping guides – and here’s another book review by Riccardo Monza – GRAND PRIX SHOWDOWN! THE FULL DRAMA OF EVERY CHAMPIONSHIP DECIDING GRAND PRIX SINCE 1950. by Christopher Hilton.

The Brazilian Grand Prix of 2008 had one of the most exciting finishes in the history of Formula 1. Who’ll ever forget the Ferrari pit prematurely celebrating Massa winning the World Championship, as Hamilton passes Glock on the final bend to take the fifth place required to win the title? Not many of us, that’s for sure. ‘Grand Prix Showdown’ by Christopher Hilton captures the event in words splendidly, along with every other championship deciding race since 1950, as the very long official title states.

Jim Clark 1963 © LAT Photographic

‘Grand Prix Showdown’ isn’t necessarily the kind of book that you have to read from the beginning. In fact there’s no reason why you can’t just pick a year and dive straight in! Each race is spread across five to ten pages of text, giving a season summary and the run up to the concluding race. Driver’s quotes are plenty, points tallies and scoring permutations are explained well, and postscripts detailing interesting background subplots are added on for good measure. Venues vary from Casablanca to Las Vegas, but the ‘Showdown’ top two are Monza and Suzuka.

It’s difficult to judge who was the best champion down the years, but before Michael Schumacher stepped onto the scene, Juan Manuel Fangio had the best score of five titles. It’s more than impressive to read the account of how he overhauled a lead of 48 seconds to beat the Ferraris of Hawthorn and Collins at the Nurburgring in 1957. Fangio had been delayed by a pitstop and then drove beyond his usual limit, taking risks at notorious blind spots around the 14 mile circuit. ‘I don’t ever want to drive like that again’ Fangio said to Hawthorn afterwards, regarding his daredevil chase.

© LAT Photographic

On occasion, some championships have been won with few victories and consistent finishes in the points. 1982 was such a year where crafty Keke Rosberg took a single win on his way to the crown, to pip a flummoxed John Watson who himself only had two wins. There had been eleven different winners that year, so the big trophy really was up for grabs. Not only the big trophy, but a big cake with a shark’s fin protruding from it was handed over to Rosberg later! Well he is from Finland.. Apparently there’s a joke in there somewhere!

The Senna and Prost battles during the late ’80’s gave us all plenty of entertainment to drool over, but what took place in Suzuka in 1990 left everyone speechless. After he failed to take the title in 1989, Senna was so determined to win, that he seemed to crash into Prost on purpose at the first corner, taking them both out and thus making himself the champion. Both Senna’s and Prost’s highly charged accounts of the event, are a real insight into the minds of two very different drivers.

Despite the tragedies and sadness tarnishing some of the races, there are several lighter moments included in ‘Grand Prix Showdown.’ Here are two stories to get you grinning; in Portugal in 1960, a car got it’s wheels stuck in the tramlines of the street circuit, running beyond the corner, then having to do a U-turn back to the track; and during qualifying in Morocco in 1958, one driver drove with a live chameleon tucked into his cockpit, as a good luck charm!

At 398 pages, it’s a fair read, but along with the text are sixteen pages of glossy colour or black and white photos of our heroes smiling or frowning, due to the outcome of their particular days racing! So if you like a good drama, ‘Grand Prix Showdown’ has plenty more like the events of Interlagos 2008 tucked away in its pages!

Published by Haynes. Hardcover RRP: £19.99 – available from Amazon here: Grand Prix Showdown!

Welcome to Badger’s latest series of reviews where our very own Riccardo Monza reviews some of his favourite F1 and motorsport books – first up is: FLAT OUT, FLAT BROKE: FORMULA 1 THE HARD WAY by Perry McCarthy

Monaco 1992 - © Sutton Images

Perry McCarthy is a driver that some of you will have heard of and some not. It’s fair to call him a Formula 1 driver although in actual fact he never took part in a race! ‘Flat Out, Flat Broke: Formula 1 The Hard Way’ is Perry McCarthy’s account of his life’s struggle with trying to reach the pinnacle of motorsport.

credit: Laurence Baker

Perry had never had aspirations to be a racing driver until at the age of 18, whereby a chance meeting in a music shop with a driving instructor from Brands Hatch, gave him the opportunity of his life. His natural driving ability impressed the instructor so much that he told him that he must start racing without further ado! Perry wasn’t from a rich family, and so had to get some cash from somewhere, and that somewhere happened to be from working 12 to 18 hours a day, for two years on North Sea oil rigs! Thereafter his racing career began in Formula Ford 1600 and progressed up the ranks somewhat haphazardly until he knocked on the door of F1. Actually it was Bernie Ecclestone’s door, and Perry was asking for an essential document -a Super Licence. This he was granted and the door to F1 opened -though stepping through the door was another challenge altogether.

Andrea Moda Formula was a back of the grid team in 1992, and Perry was signed to them clearly as a number two driver. Even getting to a race was a mountain to climb for Perry when his cash reserves were low. The team wouldn’t pay for him to travel there! So, to get a free flight to a Grand Prix that he was meant to be racing in, Perry would work for a travel company as a courier and entertain the tourists along the way! Once at the circuit, he was lucky to be allowed out on track, and spent much of his time watching from the pits, or talking to other F1 teams in the paddock, trying to secure a drive or even a test drive with them in the future. When he did get out on track, his team would provide him with a car that would usually display a fundamental set-up problem, such as being fitted with wet weather tyres when there wasn’t a cloud in the sky!

Photo from Perry McCarthy's Private Collection

Although Perry’s story is laced with disappointment, the comical and entertaining way he writes lifts the reader to another level entirely. Funny stories are abundant; tricking his way into the F1 paddock posing as a pizza delivery boy for Ayrton Senna; providing sponsors with fake race results from doctored newspaper reports; and pretending to be James Hunt to get into to a meeting! The more obstacles that were put in Perry’s way, the deeper he dug and adopted a naughty schoolboy approach to find solutions. The black humour and wisecracks are endless; ‘I looked up to Gary, and not just because I was short,’ is just one of many.

‘Flat Out, Flat Broke’ captures brilliantly one man’s determination and never give up spirit. Originally published in hardback in 2002, a paperback re-issue followed it up in 2008. The 320 pages are a joy to read, and the photos included capture Perry’s character from every angle. Damon Hill’s foreword is written with matey cheekiness, and sets the tone for the following chapters. Perry ‘The Stig’ McCarthy has definitely written the funniest motorsport book that I have ever read, and if an F1Badger Gold Award existed, this book would deservedly receive it!

Published by Haynes. Paperback Re-issue RRP: £8.99, available from Amazon here: Flat Out, Flat Broke: Formula 1 the Hard Way

A book review by Riccardo Monza – MOTOR RACING CIRCUITS IN ENGLAND, THEN & NOW by Peter Swinger, click here for more reviews and and here for more ideas for your Christmas shopping..

If your idea of fun is reminiscing about the time you stood on the edge of an old airfield on a Sunday in the pouring rain, watching cars whizz by at high speed, then you’ve come to the right place! Author Peter Swinger has done plenty of reminiscing himself, putting together a superb collection for any motorsport enthusiast in the shape of ‘Motor Racing Circuits In England, Then & Now.’

Tom Pryce (Shadow DN5) wins Race Of Champions, Brands Hatch 1976 - © A K Porteous / Motor Racing Archive

Why just England I hear your cry? Well, the author unearthed so many circuits (some had almost faded into myth and folklore), that a book covering the British Isles (ideally what many want) would have been a massive undertaking. A second volume covering Wales, Scotland, Ireland etc is in the pipeline and eagerly anticipated. What we do get are stories that led to the construction of a mighty tally of 38 car racing circuits. Predominantly bike racing circuits, hill-climbs and sprint venues are left out I’m afraid.

Silverstone circa 1948

All the well known circuits – Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Goodwood and Donington get the most pages with indepth reports. Relatively unheard of circuits with fabulously unglamourous names like Boreham, Blandford and Gamston are not forgotten. The book covers the first purpose built venue -Brooklands, up to the latest -Rockingham, -both high speed ovals as it happens. While many circuits written about are converted old World War II RAF airfields, Birmingham hold’s its head high as England’s only ever street racing circuit, and pulled big crowds in its five year existence. Not quite Monaco, but a great spectacle nonetheless! There’s also stunning picturesque driving challenges like Oulton Park and Cadwell Park included, that add to the diverse range of circuits found in England.

What every circuit guide includes is an entertaining summary of who’s idea it was to start racing in this particular field in the middle of nowhere, to notable race meetings with famous drivers of the day, and how the circuit survived, or came into disuse for one reason or another. There’s a multitude of track diagrams showing how layouts evolved over the years, with marvelous corner names like ‘Devil’s Elbow,’ ‘Shrubbery Bend’ or ‘Cuckoo Corner.’ Plenty of colour and black and white photos are slipped in showing how times have certainly changed regarding cars, safety, and hairstyles of course, but the racing spirit never fades. Forget for a moment the modern Tilkedromes of Sakhir, Sepang and Shanghai, because this book here features legendary drivers Moss, Hunt, Hill, Lauda, and Senna, all captured getting to grips with the likes of Crystal Palace, Mallory Park or Thruxton! If that’s not enough for you, then there’s a fine selection of event programmes and posters, some that are painted in a fine art style, or as a witty cartoon.

‘Motor Racing Circuits In England, Then And Now’ was first published in 2001, and a paperback edition came into being in 2006. Peter Swinger dedicates his book to Wales’ late ace Tom Pryce, who had his only F1 victory at the 1976 Race Of Champions at Brands Hatch incidentally. A brief but enthusiastic Foreword by ex-Lotus F1 driver Martin Donnelly gets us of the grid at the beginning. The 160 pages really do delve into the richness of England’s motor racing heritage, and are a fine read during the winter months. But be warned, this may inspire more treks out to rainy old airfields in the future!

Published by Dial House, an imprint of Ian Allan Printing Ltd. Paperback RRP: £15.99 – available from Amazon here: Motor Racing Circuits in England, Then and Now