Sign-In
Cart
On the Grid: Life Behind the Scenes of Formula 1
Paperback
Business GeneralSports GeneralMotor Sports
Publisher Price: $19.99
ISBN13: 9780063373532
Publisher: Harpervia
Published: Mar 17 2026
Pages: 304
Weight: 0.49
Height: 0.68 Width: 5.31 Depth: 8.00
Language: English
One of the finest wordsmiths in modern sport . . . with infectious passion and singular craft [Smith] has created a truly fabulous and unique piece of work. On the Grid is incredibly special. I loved every thoughtfully written word. --Will Buxton, award-winning broadcaster, star of Drive to Survive and New York Times bestselling author of Grand Prix: An Illustrated History of Formula 1
Even if you think you know everything there is to know about Formula 1, you'll learn something within these pages. --GP Racing Magazine
Learn how Formula One is the world's greatest team sport with this intimate and colorful insider's account of what really happens on--and off--the race track, from The Athletic's senior F1 writer who has been following the sport around the world for over a decade.
Formula One has only 20 drivers in its elite ranks, but behind each one is an army of professionals devoted to the sport: statisticians and strategists, engineers and mechanics, PR gurus and party planners, and more--all who spend months traveling thousands of miles across the globe each year. Their achievements (and failures) may not be as well-publicized as those of the drivers and team principals, but they're just as important: one fifty-cent screw in the wrong place could cause a $15 million car to break down mid-race.
In On the Grid, F1 journalist Luke Smith brings to life the behind-the-scenes stories that don't make it to viewers' screens. From the Bahrain starting grid--thick with sweat and engine fumes--to opulent yacht parties in Monaco, with a stopover at a legendary bakery in Melbourne whose croissants exist only because of F1 technology, he showcases the extraordinary characters who give the sport such color and intrigue. With deep insight, knowledge, and warmth, he writes about the emotions and struggles that come with working in such a high-pressure and inherently dangerous sport, and the efforts being made to improve its class and racial diversity, gender parity, and environmental impact. The result is a richer, broader, and more inclusive look at F1 than ever before--perfect for longtime fans and Drive to Survive neophytes alike.
Also from
Smith, Luke
Raised Bed Gardening: A Beginner's Guide to Building and Sustaining Your Own Raised Bed Garden in Less Space
Smith, Luke
Paperback
Backyard Homestead: A Practical Guide to Building Your Own Mini Farm & Raising Farm Animals for Beginners
Smith, Luke
Paperback
Vegetable Gardening: A Beginner's Guide to Cultivating Your Own Vegetable Garden
Smith, Luke
Paperback
Mini Farming: A Beginner's Guide to Profiting from Crops, Vegetables and Livestock
Smith, Luke
Paperback
Also in
Motor Sports
100 Years of Legends: The Official Celebration of the Le Mans 24 Hours
Davoine, Basile
Holtz, Gerard
Holtz, Julien
Hardcover
The Hardest, Longest Race: Henry Ford and the Cross-Country Contest That Changed America
Moskowitz, Eric
Hardcover
How to Build a Car: The Autobiography of the World's Greatest Formula 1 Designer
Newey, Adrian
Hardcover
100 Cars That Changed the World: The Designs, Engines, and Technologies That Drive Our Imaginations
Publications International Ltd
Auto Editors of Consumer Guide
Hardcover
The Formula: How Rogues, Geniuses, and Speed Freaks Reengineered F1 Into the World's Fastest-Growing Sport
Robinson, Joshua
Clegg, Jonathan
Hardcover
The Race to the Future: 8,000 Miles to Paris - The Adventure That Accelerated the Twentieth Century
St Clair, Kassia
Paperback
Ultimate Speed Secrets: The Complete Guide to High-Performance and Race Driving
Bentley, Ross
Paperback
Going Faster!: Mastering the Art of Race Driving: The Skip Barber Racing School
Lopez, Carl
Paperback
Motorcycle Life: Stories, Wisdom, and Obsession from Riders Around the World
Hendrikx, Eric
Hardcover
A Dream in Red - Ferrari by Maggi & Maggi: A Photographic Journey Through the Finest Cars Ever Made
Codling, Stuart
Hardcover
The Story of Classic Cars Gift Set: A Tribute to Four Automotive Icons
Smith, Luke
Codling, Stuart
Tomalin, Peter
Hardcover
Formula 1 75 Years: At Speed with the World's Greatest Motorsport
Codling, Stuart
Roberts, James
Mann, James
Hardcover
Grand Prix 101: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Formula 1, Explained
Hewgill, Christian
Hardcover
Formula One: The Pursuit of Speed: A Photographic Celebration of F1's Greatest Moments
Hamilton, Maurice
Hardcover
The Carroll Shelby Story: Portrayed by Matt Damon in the Hit Film Ford V Ferrari
Shelby, Carroll
Paperback
Faster: How a Jewish Driver, an American Heiress, and a Legendary Car Beat Hitler's Best
Bascomb, Neal
Paperback
Formula 1: The Greatest Races: The Official Story of the Most Iconic Grand Prix Moments in F1
Richards, Giles
Hardcover
Inner Speed Secrets: Mental Strategies to Maximize Your Racing Performance
Langford, Ronn
Bentley, Ross
Paperback
Cult of Gt-R: A True Story of Crime, Obsession and the World's Most Coveted Car
Zummallen, Ryan
Paperback
Hypercars: Ultimate Innovation, Engineering, and Performance
Publications International Ltd
Hardcover
Shelby American: The Renegades Who Built the Cars, Won the Races, and Lived the Legend
Lerner, Preston
Hardcover
Classic Cars: 60 Years of Driving Excellence
Publications International Ltd
Auto Editors of Consumer Guide
Hardcover
Trans-Am Challengers: The Cars That Rivalled Mustang and Camaro Supremacy 1966-1972
Holmes, Steve
Hardcover
NASCAR Mavericks: The Rebels and Racers Who Revolutionized Stock Car Racing
Branham, H. a.
Cain, Holly
Hardcover
The Race to the Future: 8,000 Miles to Paris - The Adventure That Accelerated the Twentieth Century
St Clair, Kassia
Hardcover
Kicking Up Dirt: A True Story of Determination, Deafness, and Daring
Fiolek, Ashley
Ryder, Caroline
Paperback
Muscle Cars: High-Power, High-Performance
Publications International Ltd
Auto Editors of Consumer Guide
Hardcover
Formula One: The Pinnacle: The Pivotal Events That Made Formula 1 Motorsport's Greatest Series
Arron, Simon
Steiner, Guenther
Dodgins, Tony
Hardcover
Ayrton Senna: Memories and Mementoes from a Life Lived at Full Speed an Interactive Journey
Hilton, Christopher
Hardcover
Texas Legend: Jim Hall and His Chaparrals - There's Always a Better Way. the Official Biography
Levy, George
Hardcover
The Formula One Yearbook 2025: Every Race Result, Team & Driver Stats, All-Time Records
Jones, Bruce
Hardcover
Circle It, Formula 1 / Formula One / F1 Facts, Word Search, Puzzle Book (Large Print Edition)
Lowry Global Media LLC
Schumacher, Mark
Paperback
The Dream 100 from Evo and Octane: 100 Years. 100 Cars. the Greatest of All Time.
Tomalin, Peter
Hardcover
Imsa 1990-1999: The Turbulent Years of American Sports Car Racing
Raffauf, Mark
Raffauf, Martin
Hardcover
Formula One Circuits from Above: Legendary Tracks in High-Definition Satellite Photography
Jones, Bruce
Hardcover
Formula One: The Controversies: Formula One's Most Dramatic and Polarizing Moments
Dodgins, Tony
Hardcover
The Deadliest Decade: How Speed, Money, and Technology Transformed Auto Racing
Lerner, Preston
Hardcover