Book description
Former F1 mechanic turned TV broadcaster Steve Matchett is trapped
overnight in New York, in a fogbound JFK Airport with some fellow motor
racing enthusiasts. With no sign of the fog letting up and a long twelve
hours to get through, talk inevitably turns to Formula 1. During the
course of the night, and fuelled by regular trips to the departure
lounge bar, the three protagonists, drawing upon Matchett's
encyclopaedic knowledge of life in the F1 pit lane, decide to piece
together the perfect Formula 1 Grand Prix car... Starting with the
monocoque (or chassis) and moving through the engine type, gearbox,
exhaust, suspension and aerodynamics etc, no bolt is left unexamined in
Matchett's comprehensive and detailed, technical expose of the inner
workings of the fastest cars on the planet. In straightforward, clear
and concise language, Matchett explains how the F1 teams have arrived at
their current state-of-the-art designs; how, exactly, a Formula 1 car is
put together. Grand Prix mechanic turned author, columnist, editor and
television broadcaster, Steve Matchett is an exceptionally rare
commodity - a commentator of genuine insight; a man that has prepared
world championship-winning machinery with his own hands. Standing
alongside Ross Brawn and Michael Schumacher, Matchett worked the pit
lanes of the world's most challenging sport throughout all of Benetton's
glory years. He is currently a contributor to F1 Racing magazine and
technical analyst to North America's SPEED Channel, a key member of
their broadcasting team. He is the author of Life in the Fast Lane, The
Mechanic's Tale and The Chariot Makers, all of which have been highly
praised.
