7 best Formula 1 coffee table books for F1 fans

There is not any alternative for the actual factor, and that goes double for F1. However the perfect System 1 espresso desk books are extra than simply fairly methods to sign your love for the game. They’re an all-access paddock cross and a time machine. They supply up rarely-seen snapshots and tales, forgotten lore and clarifying context. They allow you to get a bit nearer to a second you keep in mind — or supply an opportunity to witness what you missed.

Magnus Greaves understands this. The founder and writer of print-only journal RACEWKND got down to protect in amber what it’s wish to attend a contemporary grand prix along with his latest, limited-edition espresso desk guide, “Sand, Sunsets, and Pace.” In supersaturated picture spreads, the guide captures the first-ever Miami Grand Prix by juxtaposing the on-track expertise with an attractive, chaotic, very Miami scene. “What actually impressed us was that there’s a lot wacky stuff occurring there,” he says. “Even if you happen to have been on the race and within the grandstand, you wouldn’t see most of this. We wished to peel again the layers and share it with all people.”

“Sand, Sunsets, and Pace” is not alone in that aim. The six different stunning espresso desk books under — be they shiny photographic tributes or tomes full of historic particulars — are excellent reminders of all of the methods you’ll be able to fall in love with the game of System 1.

Sand, Sunsets & Pace

For RACEWKND writer Marcus Greaves, 2023’s inaugural Miami Grand Prix represented a once-in-a-lifetime second coalescing Drive to Survive’s sudden reputation and F1’s plans to take over the America’s shores. “Sand, Sundown & Pace” bottles that magic so properly you could nearly odor the coconut-scented sunscreen if you crack open the guide’s scorching pink cowl for the primary time. Sure, it consists of loads of motion pictures of vehicles zooming across the observe (constructed, after all, within the car parking zone of Arduous Rock stadium). Nevertheless it’s Frederick Broden’s filmic photographs of sun-soaked hedonism—of town, the followers, the live shows, the pool events—that make you are feeling just like the race might have simply as simply occurred within the Seventies. An intro by Miami resident and F1 superfan DJ Tiesto units the temper, as does the high-viz, cloth-wrapped case. Only one,000 might be printed.
Revealed 2024 by RaceWKND; $100 at racewknd.co 

System 1: The Unattainable Assortment

Assouline and Brad Spurgeon’s celebration of F1 is as beautiful because the Ferrari F1-90 on the quilt. Behind that picture are 228 pages of historical past, advised by means of 100 images—every chosen by long-time motorsports journalist Spurgeon. From a post-race shot of Lewis Hamilton after having damaged Schumacher’s all-time win report at Portimao in 2020 to highly effective photographs of the game’s stars —machine and human — in motion, the guide captures era-defining moments in each decade of the game. Make no mistake: “System 1: The Unattainable Assortment,” like all of Assouline’s choices, can also be one thing of a trophy itself. The 19.7-pound guide ships in a clamshell case with a steel plaque, is “calmly scented with an unique made rubber-infused essence,” and comes with a pair of white gloves. Principally as an indication to others to maintain their grubby mitts off.
Revealed 2021 by Assouline; $1200 at assouline.com 

Artwork of the Race V16

Chances are you’ll not notice it, however you already know Darren Heath’s work; he is the photographer behind a few of the most arresting and surprising photographs captured in System 1 ‘s latest historical past. From 2014 to 2019, he collaborated with Artwork of Publishing on 5 particular person volumes, every targeted on photographs from a single racing season. This version, Heath’s third, chronicles the 2016 season, which culminated in Nico Rosberg beating out teammate Lewis Hamilton by 5 factors to win the motive force’s championship on the ultimate day of racing (solely to retire after taking the title). Like every of the volumes, it is a time capsule full of Heath’s unbelievable imagery, all of which nonetheless resonates lengthy after the racing has ended.
Revealed 2017 by Artwork of Publishing; £22 at artofpublishing.net

System 1 Circuits: Maps and Statistics From Each Grand Prix Monitor

Sure, certain, the Web is strewn with tons of F1 information and details, however nowhere on the net will you discover that data so completely packaged and straightforward to entry as you’ll with “System 1 Circuits.” Tracks are listed in chronological order from the primary time every hosted a grand prix, beginning with Monza (1922) and ending with Miami. (Blame the 2023 publishing date for Las Vegas’ absence.) The guide reads like a historical past of the game advised by means of twists and curves, bolstered by insights from racing journalist and commentator Maurice Hamilton. Of the books right here, this may be the one which earns a everlasting place in your espresso desk, if solely so you’ll be able to choose it up each Sunday for a fast scout earlier than Crofty says “It is lights out!”
Revealed 2023 by Sandman Books; $50 at amazon.com and sandmanbooks.com 

Grand Prix: An Illustrated Historical past of System 1

Will Buxton might have seen his movie star standing constructed on Drive To Survive, however as he the meme-king himself told Motorsport, he began off as a journalist. He returns to the written phrase with this illustrated historical past of F1, designed to assist new followers stand up to hurry, because it have been. “Grand Prix: An Illustrated Historical past of System 1” provides need-to-know briefs on the game’s iconic characters, moments, and tracks alongside vibrant illustrations. Sure, it is aimed extra at new followers than of us who wistfully keep in mind Leyton Home. If it’s not for you, it’s on your good friend who’s simply caught the bug, or the child in your life who’s immediately asking questions on tire technique.
Revealed 2024 by Penguin Random Home; $30 at amazon.com and bookshop.org

System 1 in Digicam, 1970-79 (Up to date, paperback)

The primary of Paul Parker’s “System 1 in Digicam” collection provides a time-machine paddock cross to an excellent, chaotic decade in F1’s historical past. Stacked with behind-the-scenes photographs from legendary System 1 photographer Rainer Schlegelmilch, the guide chronicles the game’s speedy evolution towards globally-renowned drivers, big-money company sponsorships, and radical know-how (we hardly knew ye, Tyrell P34). Whenever you’re achieved, you can begin proper in on Parker’s two-volume “sequel” overlaying 1960-69.
Revealed 2003 by Behemoth Publishing; $80 at amazon.com

McLaren System 1 Automotive by Automotive: Each Race Automotive Since 1966

For the papaya-obsessed, Motorsport Network journalist Stuart Codling serves up a completist’s trove: rattling close to each stat and have of each McLaren automotive to ever race in System 1. Revealed this previous summer season and introduced in chronological order, with pictures and narratives of every automotive, the guide serves as a visible historical past of the game seen by means of the historical past of one among its most iconic producers. Actually, although, it’s about ogling some beautiful {hardware}. And in case your allegiances run crimson, Codling’s “Ferrari System 1: Automotive by Automotive” (printed in 2021) will make your rosso corsa coronary heart skip a beat.
Revealed 2024 by Motorbooks; $60 at amazon.com 

F1 Mavericks: The Males and Machines that Revolutionized System 1 Racing

At this time, System 1 groups stay on the forefront of pace because of nine-figure budgets and an understanding of aerodynamics that appears suspiciously like witchcraft. However as “F1 Mavericks” reminds us, the technological breakthroughs we take as a right as we speak have been constructed on the once-crazy concepts of good engineers, and the equally loopy drivers prepared to place these hunches to the check. Looking on the interval from 1960 to 1982, the guide provides as a lot weight to the brains — Colin Chapman, Gordon Murray, Mauro Forghieri — because it does the brawn behind the wheel, all whereas translating the period’s advances in aerodynamics, engine tech, tires, and past right into a language that doesn’t require an MIT diploma to understand.
Revealed 2019 by Motorbooks; $50 at amazon.com