On the Grid: Life Behind the Scenes of Formula One

“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.

Luke Smith is a Formula 1 and motorsport journalist based in Bexhill-on-Sea, UK. He is a senior writer covering Formula 1 for The Athletic, and his work regularly features in the New York Times as he follows the sport’s traveling circus around the world. Prior to The Athletic, he spent ten years reporting on Formula 1 for Autosport and NBC Sports, among other media outlets. He regularly makes both television and radio appearances as a Formula 1 pundit. Luke does not have a driver’s license.