Gerhard Berger: The Human Face of Formula 1 [Hardcover]

Christopher Hilton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1995

On 31 July 1994 the German Grand Prix was won by Gerhard Berger and a legend was reborn. This is the story of the man, popular racing driver, master prankster, and close friend of the late Ayrton Senna. The book follows the Ferrari folk hero, on and off the track, from the early days in the Alphasuds, European Formular 3, and touring cars, through to the start of his 1995 Formula 1 season. It looks at the horrors he has survived - the road crash which almost paralyzed him; the fire at Imola in 1989 at Tamburello, the corner where Senna died.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks Intl; 2 Sub edition (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852605154
• ISBN-13: 978-1852605155
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,330,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The funny man of F1, October 22, 2005

By 

Jared M (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gerhard Berger: The Human Face of Formula 1 (Hardcover)

First published in 1993, the 2nd edition of this book has been updated to take into account the tumultous 1994 Formula One season. During 1994, not only did Berger end the longest losing streak in Ferrari's illustrous formula one history with a fine lights to flag victory at Hockenheim, but also endured the deaths of close friend Ayrton Senna and compatriot Roland Ratzenberger, both during the San Marino GP weekend. Fellow Austrian Karl Wendlinger, whose father Berger raced against, was seriously injured 2 weeks later at Monaco.

One could question the merits of writing a biography of a man who "only" won 9 GPs (by the end of 1994 - of course Berger went on to take another win for Benetton in 1997, his final F1 season), and who in the scheme of things was only a bit player in the sport compared to Prost, Piquet, Senna, and Mansell. But this attitude belies the fact that Berger does indeed have interesting tales to tell. Teammate to both Mansell and Senna, racing against Piquet and Prost, Berger competed against the best of his era. He is widely regarded as being the man who taught Senna to laugh. Although shaded (substanially) by the great Brazilian on track, off track the two were best friends, playing numerous pranks on one another, many of which are related in the book. The pranks were not just confined to his F1 days, in fact it appears that he was somewhat wilder in his junior formulae days, particularly in cohorts with Tommy Byrne.

"The Human Face of Formula One" covers Berger's whole motorsport career up to the end of 1994. Not only are his initial forays into the sport with Ford Escorts and Alfa-Suds covered, but also the days of European F3 and his races with the BMW Schnitzer team. Hilton interviewed both Charley Lamm, team manager of Schnitzer, and Roberto Ravaglia who shed some insights into Berger the racer, and Berger the man. Mark Blundell and Jean Alesi are others Hilton interviewed for perspectives into Berger.

This isn't the best of author Christopher Hilton's works, but by no means is it the worst. Hilton pumped out quite a few of these driver biographies in the late 1990's, some of which were pretty much fluff pieces to earn the author a bit of extra dosh. However, "The Human Face of Formula One" is superior to those efforts. Written in Hilton's usual casual, almost conversational style, the book is a relatively quick read for its 270 odd pages. There is an insert of black and white photography, most of which cover Berger's F1 career, but there are some taken during his BMW touring car days.

One thing I don't like about these modern driver biographies is that often they are written while the subject is still active in the sport, thus rendering it out of date pretty quickly. This book could do with a further update, now that Berger has finished his F1 driving career, and his BMW consultant role with Williams.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An in depth look at the newly appointed head of BMW motorspo, April 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Gerhard Berger: The Human Face of Formula 1 (Hardcover)

Christopher Hilton writes with insight and humor about one of Formula 1's most charismatic characters.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book for automobile fans!, January 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Gerhard Berger: The Human Face of Formula 1 (Hardcover)

Mr. Hilton, once again, wrote a marvellous book, with great insight, feeling and facts, about a great driver. But he made one mistake: even with 9 Grand Prix victories to his credit, Berger never had the caliber to be a World Champion, never, and Mr. Hilton says that only details were missing for Berger accomplish that. Otherwise,a fantastic book!