The 2025 Australian Grand Prix starts today! This year promises to be more thrilling than ever, as record-breaking crowds converge on Melbourne to witness the high-octane action.
Whether you'll be in amongst the spectators at Albert Park or want to live vicariously, this blog will help with great fiction and nonfiction book recommendations, to keep you entertained while you're not watching the races (or the latest season of Drive to Survive).
For nonfiction readers
The Formula
Joshua Robinson & Jonathan Clegg
F1 is now the fastest-growing sports business in the world, and a multi-billion-dollar global media juggernaut. But how exactly did it get there?
Highly respected Wall Street Journal reporters Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg uncover the full epic story of how F1 came to achieve total global fandom. Bringing unique insight and access to the sport's most storied teams and personalities – from Ferrari to Bernie Ecclestone to Christian Horner, Daniel Ricciardo, and Lewis Hamilton – they delve into the world of big money, beautiful people, intense feuds and audacious gambles, all set across a backdrop of the world's most glamorous locations.
The result is the first definitive account of the business of Formula 1 – not just the cars and the races, but the drama, the deals, and the financial operation that underpins it all. It's the tale of a commercial empire: one built in the 20th century, rendered almost obsolete in the early 21st, and that has re-emerged now to dominate the world.
Formula One: The Circuits, Then and Now
Frank Hopkinson
In the 1950s, all that prevented cars from entering Monaco Harbour were some straw bales, there was no pitlane, and races weren't stopped for burning cars. Today, Armco and catch-fencing line the harbourside, cranes winch cars to safety in seconds and Tecpro barriers protect the most dangerous corners. This book includes many historic aspects of F1 from the beautifully preserved pit buildings of Reims to the great temples of Speed at Monza and Spa-Francorchamps, three race venues from Formula 1's debut season in 1950.
Formula One: The Circuits, Then & Now is unique and compelling history and guide to some of the classic grand prix tracks. By pairing vintage images with the same viewpoint today, readers can see how dramatically Formula 1 has changed over the years, from the cavalier attitude to danger of the past, to the sophisticated modern sport we see today.
On the Grid
Luke Smith
Luke Smith has spent over ten years reporting on Formula 1 from all over the world. The grid is his playground, the track his literal running track. In On the Grid he takes us behind the scenes of the past, present and future of Formula 1, telling its story through the eyes of the people who create it – not just the superstar drivers and larger-than-life team principals, but also the the pit crew, the engineers, strategists, PR gurus, the fans and more.
There's plenty of thrilling drama, cutting-edge technology and glamour, but Smith also shows us the critical mid-race decisions, how that 50-pence screw in the wrong place could cause a GBP15m car to break down, how F1 has influenced not just the cars we drive but our fridges, life-saving medical equipment and even croissants.
Oscar Piastri: The Rookie
Andrew van Leeuwen
A riveting account of motorsport phenom Oscar Piastri's first season in Formula 1, The Rookie charts his meteoric rise through the ranks to become McLaren's chosen young gun and takes us behind the scenes in his mission to triumph in the do-or-die world of the Fastest Show on Earth.
The meteoric rise of motorsports phenom Oscar Piastri has been the stuff of legends. Three years and a record-breaking three straight titles across Formula Renault, Formula 3 and Formula 2 set up one of the most anticipated F1 rookie seasons ever when the 21-year-old Melburnian joined the famous McLaren team. Being wooed over from Alpine to replace a struggling Daniel Ricciardo and help turn the team's fortunes around only added to the weight of expectation.
The grid was set, the world's cameras were rolling, rabid fans filled the stands, but could the rookie deliver? What version of Oscar Piastri would emerge from the crucible?
Max Verstappen
Ewan McKenzie
A fully illustrated biography of Max Verstappen, from karting in the junior races at age 10 to his third time winning the World Championship at the end of 2023.
Max broke all the records for youngest driver after he made his official debut in 2015, including youngest ever driver to win an F1 race after he transferred from Red Bull's junior team Toro Rosso to Red Bull in 2016; however, his move was at the expense of Daniil Kvyat who was demoted to Toro Rosso in his place. Verstappen then started dating Kvyat's girlfriend, Kelly Piquet, and is now stepfather to Kvyat's son. Complicated to say the least!
Max's career has barely spanned a decade and he's already gained the title of the most popular Formula 1 driver. With incredible skills on the track and a legion of travelling Dutch fans, he's a force to be reckoned with and the one to watch in racing.
Grand Prix
Will Buxton
In Grand Prix, celebrated broadcast journalist and commentator on Netflix's Formula 1 – Drive to Survive Will Buxton chronicles the history of Formula 1, highlighting the achievements and stories of forty-five notable Formula 1 drivers and other key figures. Readers will be introduced to historical heroes like Formula 1's first world champion, Giuseppe Farina, and Ferrari icon Niki Lauda, as well as modern-day legends like the iconic Lewis Hamilton and defending champion Max Verstappen. Spanning more than seventy years of Formula 1 – decades packed with incredible trials, stories, and lore – this captivating collection also contains features on car mechanics, tires, track design, the art and science of the pit stop, and more.
Filled with immersive and engaging information with illustrations as dynamic and bold as the daring sport itself, Grand Prix is the definitive introduction to the world's fastest sport.
F1 Racing Confidential
Giles Richards
In F1 Confidential, Guardian journalist Giles Richards speaks to the men and women inside Formula 1 to reveal the inner workings of the world's most glamorous motorsport. Featuring exclusive interviews with experts at every level – from drivers and team principals to engineers and pit mechanics – and from teams including Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren and more, this is an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look inside a modern Formula 1 team.
With contributions from dozens of insiders, each with their own fascinating stories, insights and revelations, F1 Confidential takes you inside Formula 1 like never before.
For those more interested in a track-side romance
Cross the Line
Simone Soltani
Formula 1 driver Dev Anderson’s career is on the line. After a social media disaster leaves him with an angry team and sponsors threatening to jump ship, he needs someone to help save his image. At a party in Monaco, he bumps into the woman who can fix it all. There’s just one problem: she’s his best friend’s little sister. And, okay, maybe there’s another problem – he kissed her last year and hasn’t been able to stop thinking about it since.
Recent college grad Willow Williams needs a job. She may have a talent for seeing the bright side of any bad situation, but it’s hard to stay positive when she’s struggling to get hired. So when Dev offers her a temporary solution, she can’t help but say yes. Even if it means ignoring the crush she’s had on him since childhood. Willow and Dev are determined to keep things strictly professional, regardless of old feelings and the blazing chemistry between them. But in the glittering and high-stakes world of Formula 1, some lines are meant to be crossed …
Double Apex
Josie Juniper
Phaedra Morgan is one of the best race engineers in Formula 1. She's a math prodigy with dazzling skill, cutting wit, and no patience for matters of the heart. Of course, her job would be a lot easier if she didn't keep butting heads with their team's cocky and infuriatingly hot new driver.
Cosmin Ardelean is intense and committed, but as famous for his off-track romantic exploits as his on-track wizardry. Yet his devil-may-care facade conceals a haunted past. When the pair strikes up a secret-and thrillingly forbidden 'arrangement' to improve their communication and bond of trust, the heat of their attraction turns to something more …
For the little F1 fans!
All About Race Cars
Andy Amendola
Ignite the passion for racing in young minds, aged 6+!
An age-appropriate deep dive into the science and technology that powers F1 race cars, packed full of facts about aerodynamics, engines, tyres, brakes, safety features and more!
Drive to Victory
Karun Chandhok
The perfect read for the Formula 1-mad kid in your life. Written by real-life racing driver Karun Chandhok!
How fast do Formula 1 cars really go? How do you become a racing driver? What track is the hardest to drive in the world?
Discover the most amazing stories and incredible stats and facts about the fastest and most exciting sport on the planet. From trackside to podium, leading Sky Sports Grand Prix commentator and former Formula 1 driver Karun Chandhok showcases the best teams, drivers, tracks, cars, jaw-dropping moments and more.
