Controversies, Norris, Newey and extra: 5 new motorsport books reviewed

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Want a spring break learn? Right here’s our verdict on 5 new choices on Ferrari, Lando Norris, Adrian Newey, F1 controversies and the golden period of Tremendous Touring vehicles.

Forza Ferrari by Nate Saunders

It’s 18 years since Ferrari final received a world championship, making this their longest title-less spell, even outstripping the run ended by Michael Schumacher, Eddie Irvine and Mika Salo in 1999. So in “Forza Ferrari”, Nate Saunders tackles the query all tifosi have to be asking: when are they more likely to win a title once more?

So it’s to be anticipated that the e-book is gentle on the Enzo Ferrari many years (dig out Richard Williams’ biography of the ingegnere for a high-quality account of that interval) and focuses on the crew’s latest lean spell. The missed alternatives of 2010, 2012, 2017 and 2018 understandably determine closely and the textual content is enhanced by insights from the likes of ex-Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and former crew principal Stefano Domenicali. However Ferrari followers hoping it can dwell as much as its optimistic front-cover billing “how F1’s most well-known crew can win once more” might really feel it falls barely quick.

Lando Norris: Highway to World Champion by Nate Saunders

Saunders’ second providing on this round-up is one for followers of the reigning world champion. And, it have to be stated, mainly those that didn’t catch each spherical of all final season.

The “highway to world champion” described within the e-book begins not when Norris started karting, graduated to motor racing and even joined McLaren, however the first race of final season. It’s a simple retelling of the 2025 championship which is aimed extra on the new F1 follower than the everyday RaceFans reader. But when you understand a younger Norris fan it will make an ideal birthday current.

Adrian Newey: An illustrated biography of F1’s biggest designer by Frank Hopkinson

The 2026 season has not begun the best way Adrian Newey hoped following the large curiosity within the star designer’s transfer to Aston Martin. Since his autobiography got here out in 2017 his Pink Bull vehicles have received scores extra grands prix and brought Max Verstappen to a quartet of titles. However that e-book stays one of the best learn on one of the best F1 designer of his age regardless of the arrival of this new biography.

Billed as an “illustrated” biography it actually isn’t in need of pictures however is unfortunately missing within the type of annotated technical descriptions a e-book like this wants. These hoping for perception into what made his designs so efficient can even discover the textual content wanting, as it’s too preoccupied with the main points of races and on-track controversies. Hopefully Newey can discover time to provide an up to date quantity of his autobiography, although given Aston Martin’s efficiency this yr he clearly has sufficient on his plate in the mean time.

F1 Controversies by Tony Dodgins

If it’s controversy you’re occupied with, long-time F1 scribe Tony Dodgins has you nicely lined with the biggest e-book on this choice. He covers F1’s most lurid moments with an eye fixed for element, supplemented by many terrific pictures.

One outstanding error leaps out, nevertheless, not least as a result of it seems twice, as soon as on the rear cowl. The defining picture of certainly one of F1’s biggest controversies, Crashgate, is of Nelson Piquet Jnr backing his Renault right into a barrier at flip 17, but right here an image of Giancarlo Fisichella crashing his Pressure India has bizarrely been chosen as a substitute. An unlucky blunder in a e-book that’s in any other case straightforward to advocate: the espresso desk format doesn’t actually go well with the topic however it actually permits the (largely) sensible choice of footage to face out.

Tremendous Touring by Ben Evans

As long-time RaceFans readers will know, Ben Evans is an occasional contributor of articles and e-book critiques, so I received’t fake to be neutral about this, his second e-book. The subject material is a favorite for me, too.

He has achieved his ordinary thorough job on the textual content which options a number of unique interviews with drivers who piloted Tremendous Touring vehicles throughout their nineties peak. It’s a blast of pure nostalgia for anybody who remembers the period as fondly as I do.

Learn all of the RaceFans e-book critiques.