Driven: The Untold Stories of the Men Who Built Formula One Empire

Are you a fan of high-speed racing, cutting-edge technology, and dramatic tales of triumph and tragedy? If so, get ready for a journey into the glamorous and dangerous world of Formula One. From its humble beginnings to becoming one of the most prestigious and popular sports in the world, Formula One has been shaped by a handful of individuals who pushed the boundaries of innovation, risk, and talent. In the book "Driven: The Men Who Made Formula One," author Daley O'Brian presents a captivating account of the visionaries, mechanics, team owners, and drivers who paved the way for the glorious era of Formula One racing.

The Birth of a Dream

Formula One emerged from the ashes of post-war Europe, when men with a burning passion for speed and competition sought to devise the ultimate racing machines. The sport was built on the ambition and dreams of fearless pioneers like Count Luigi Maggi, Enzo Ferrari, and Sir Jack Brabham. These men were visionaries who recognized the potential of combining technology with racing to create an unparalleled experience for both drivers and spectators.

Count Maggi, an Italian aristocrat and visionary, is credited with developing the initial concept of Formula One racing. His passion for speed inspired him to create a set of regulations that would push the boundaries of engineering and performance. With the support of like-minded enthusiasts, he embarked on a mission to establish a global racing championship that would captivate the world.

Driven: The Men Who Made Formula One

by Kevin Eason (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3058 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	409 pages

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The Triumphs and Tragedies

As the sport gained momentum in the 1950s, legendary names like Enzo Ferrari and Sir Jack Brabham took center stage. Enzo Ferrari, the legendary founder of the iconic Ferrari team, demonstrated an extraordinary ability to combine business acumen with a true love for racing. His team's dominance in the 1950s and 1960s laid the foundation for the modern era of Formula One, and his passion for excellence and innovation continues to be an integral part of the sport's DNA.

Sir Jack Brabham, a bonafide legend, became the only driver in history to win the Formula One World Championship in a car bearing his own name. With his technical expertise and raw racing talent, he paved the way for driver-engineers to leave their mark on the sport. This paradigm shift led to the emergence of legendary figures like Niki Lauda, Jackie Stewart, and Ayrton Senna.

However, the exhilaration of victory in Formula One is often overshadowed by the specter of tragedy. The sport has claimed the lives of many great drivers, whose bravery and determination pushed the boundaries of human capabilities. We delve into the heartbreaking stories of figures like Gilles Villeneuve, Ayrton Senna, and Roland Ratzenberger, who paid the ultimate price chasing their dreams in the world of Formula One.

The Unseen Heroes

Behind every Formula One champion, there is an army of unsung heroes – the mechanics, engineers, and team owners who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Driven: The Men Who Made Formula One unveils the untold stories of the gifted minds who turned their passion for cars and racing into an art form. From the brilliant engineers who developed groundbreaking technologies to the team managers who orchestrated victories, these individuals are the unsung heroes of the sport.

Formula One Today: A Global Phenomenon

Driven: The Men Who Made Formula One takes us on an unforgettable journey from the early days of the sport to the present. Today, Formula One is a global phenomenon with a massive fan base spanning continents. The book provides insight into the modern industry's transformation, the advent of cutting-edge technologies, and how the sport has become a multi-billion dollar empire.

From the visionary builders who laid the groundwork to the immense risks taken by drivers on the circuit, Driven: The Men Who Made Formula One is a must-read for any motorsport enthusiast.

Driven: The Men Who Made Formula One

by Kevin Eason (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3058 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	409 pages

FREE

Formula One is speed, glamour, danger - and eye-watering wealth. Driven: The Men Who Made Formula One tells how a small group of extraordinary men transformed Formula One from a niche sport played out on primitive tracks surrounded by hay bales and grass verges into a £1 billion circus performing in vast theatres of entertainment all over the world.

Led by Bernie Ecclestone, the billionaire ringmaster, this clique started by scraping a living to go racing and ended up creating space-age cars, turning drivers from amateur gladiators into multimillion-pound superstars, like Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton, while the names of Ferrari, McLaren and Williams are now as familiar around the world as Manchester United or Real Madrid.

For 20 years, Kevin Eason watched how these men operated like a sporting Mafia, protecting each other while squabbling over the vast wealth pouring into the sport. As motor racing correspondent for The Times and then with The Sunday Times, Eason was privileged to have a ringside seat as this cabal of wealthy characters ruled and then were pushed out of the sport they created.

This colourful and compelling account of the extraordinary flourishing of Formula One explores the quirks and extravagances of the men who converged - in one generation - to shape their sport; disparate characters with a common impulse: they were racers - and they were driven.