New: ‘F1 Racing Drive’ – Strategy, tactics and the ingenuity of the winners

At the end of June 2026, it was announced that, after 14 years with the British broadcaster Sky, F1 journalist Rachel Brookes was hanging up her microphone. The 51-year-old Englishwoman is regarded as an expert on Grand Prix racing, who was not afraid to rub salt into the wound when necessary.

For instance, after the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, it was Rachel Brookes who had the nerve to ask Max Verstappen, following his bizarre collision with George Russell, whether he’d done it on purpose.

Later, the British journalist admitted that she faced a barrage of abuse from Verstappen’s supporters, which was hard to bear. But the hot-headed fans were in the wrong, because – excuse me – that question simply had to be asked following the huge controversy in Barcelona at the time.

Rachel Brookes isn’t just good at interviews: she’s written a book for Michael O’Mara Books. She wanted to know what makes winners tick. What strategies do drivers and team principals employ to achieve success? Are there any comparable tactics? How do such people keep their cool in the pressure cooker that is Formula 1? What turns a good racing driver into a special one?

To find out, Brookes spoke to numerous drivers, including world champions Lando Norris and Nico Rosberg, Grand Prix winners Valtteri Bottas and Oscar Piastri, successful team principal Toto Wolff, and long-serving race engineer Jock Clear.

She provides an in-depth insight into just how important the mental side of the sport is, and how, ultimately, a collection of small details can make a huge difference. Brookes highlights the hallmarks of winners (which are surprisingly varied); using numerous examples, she introduces some of the most aggressive attackers and some of the toughest defenders, and she tells of late-brakers and cornering virtuosos. All this is presented in an entertaining way, with numerous fascinating perspectives.

The author also draws on the expertise of long-serving racing drivers and Sky colleagues Martin Brundle and Anthony Davidson, who draw on their own experience to explain what sets road specialists apart, or those drivers who really shine when the track is wet.

‘F1 Racing Drive – The Secrets to Formula One Success’ has something for everyone: for the Netflix generation, who have only discovered the premier class in recent years, and for long-standing Formula 1 fans looking to deepen their knowledge.

Rachel Brookes offers a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes, helping many readers to better understand what really happens during the two-plus hours of a Grand Prix.

• Key points at a glance

• Rachel Brookes: F1 Racing Drive – The Secrets to Formula One Success

• Published by Michael O’Mara Books

• ISBN: 978-1-7892-9856-7

• Format 23.4 x 15.3 cm

• 304 pages

• 16 colour plates

• Text in English

• Available for around 23 euros from specialist retailers or directly from www.mombooks.com