Customer Reviews

The Mechanic's Tale: Life in the Pit-Lanes of Formula One

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Steve Matchett's second book, The Mechanic's Tale, is a quite extraordinary work, in essence the memoires of a Grand Prix mechanic throughout his ten year career with the Benetton Formula One team. That an engineer has written such a fascinating and entertaining account of his life inside the somewhat secretive world of Grand Prix racing is unique in itself, but what makes this book so outstanding is the authors original approach to the subject and his natural flair for writing: his style is witty, rhetorical and very readable. "Every so often in the endless stream of biogrophies churned out by the Formula One book industry," says Motoring News, "something different emerges. This is it." Matchett touches on all aspects of this prestigious job, describing the incredible effort that the team are expected to give; the dangers and high stress of the pit stops; the myriad of famous drivers he worked with; and how Benetton and Schumacher stormed the world championships - amid great controversy - throughout 1994 and 1995. But The Mechanic's Tale is more than a collection of derring-do racing escapades; through his occasional digressions Matchett takes the reader on many colourful diversions, including an ill-fated ballooning trip; his views on the future of computer technology; and his slightly surreal comaprisons between Formula One and Orwell's 1984. All of that, combined with his attempts to make reason of Lewis Carroll's Jabberwoky, make this book anything but predictable.

I buy about 10-15 books a year related to racing. I also have many subscriptions to racing magazines. I have put off getting this classic for some unknown reason. I have always wanted to get it but this book has eluded me until recently. I have to say that this is one of the best racing books I have ever read. Matchett is a much better writer than people give him credit for. His use of blending incredible detail with humor is amazing. Mark my words, you will be reading this book and have moments in which you will find yourself in tears from laughter. This book is also very informative and is not your average racing book. I have also read his first book, which is also a classic, but I feel that this is the better of the two. I found myself not being able to put it down and anyone who loves racing will be in the same situation. The book starts out with how Matchett started his career as a mechanic and a brief history of how he was able to break into Formula One. I actually got an idea from the book that I now use everytime I'm looking for a new job. Anyway, the chapters go over the years he spent in F1 and gives you the true story of what F1 team members go through. On the outside it looks like they live a glamorous life, but you get to see the side that most people don't get to see and the true appreciation for their efforts is realized. Bottom line is that this is a must read for anyone that is a racing or grand prix fan.

If you are looking for a blow-by-blow account of a F1 season, you would be better served by Matchett's "Life in the Fast Lane" an inside account of Benneton's crazy 1994 season. If you want to learn more about F1 technology, then try "The Chariot Makers."

However, if you want a very human and personal account of one man's journey from being a road car mechanic to mechanic for a Formula 1 world champion in a half decade, this is the book for you. Matchett describes his cautious entry to the sport, the great Benneton personalities he meets (most of whom have now gone on to senior positions all over the sport), the insane hours, and the holiday antics in the off-season. The book is peppered with Matchett's insight about the workings of Formula 1. Interestingly, he strongly disagrees with the Benneton's sacking of Schumacher's teamates every year and believes stability in the 2nd driver position would have improved the team. Ironic that Ferrari has used that exact strategy: Schumacher has had 3 teamates in the last 11 seasons...

A must read for anyone whose interest in Formula 1 goes beyond glossy driver biographies and flashy magazines.

Some reviewers expected this to be only directly F1, and then criticise when it is different. His other books describe F1 very well indeed.
This is a story of how a mechanic progressed from entry level to the highest level of motorsport, and what that personal experience was really like during this journey and at the F1 destination. It is successfully done, and gave me significant insight into the backstage reality of a life in the F1 circus. Its perspective helps me enjoy and understand the sport much better, not only back then, but also today. For example, from this book, the change in the team experience due to the 2004 Parc Ferme rule can well and truly be experienced.

I'm certainly going against the grain with this review, but I felt the need to speak out. I very much looked forward to this book because Mr. Matchett does such an excellent job commentating on Formula One races for Speed Channel. His technical knowledge and articulate manner add a great deal to the broadcasts.

Perhaps I should be fair, in that I was expecting something more along the lines of what other reviewers have said about the book. Yes, there are some fascinating bits about the drivers he's worked with, and there are some humorous pieces as well (especially the part about Piquet's antics when Matchett had to stick his head down in the foot box with Piquet still buckled in). My complaint about the book is that it tends to go into great detail regarding the periphery of Matchett's journey into Formula One, and not enough into the technical acrobatics the mechanics have to perform, both in the garage and on the track. If you want to hear about the quaint little towns, the drives up the country on vacation, and the pub down the corner from Steve Matchett's point of view, then get this book. I feel it concentrates too heavily in these areas, and I was frustrated for it. Why, I recall perhaps the most compelling chapter wherein Matchett and crew are furiously chasing a hydraulics gremlin that is wreaking havoc with the car's variable suspension. He describes in excellent detail the agonizing frustration of checking each component, over and again with no success. Because of the enormous pressure the mechanics are under, this section starts to read like a suspense novel. In the end, though, after building us up to share the unbearable frustration he feels at the time, he doesn't let us know how the problem is fixed, or how the situation turns out. He just ends with saying something along the lines of "see how frustrating it gets?"

Frustrating, indeed.

Steve Matchett does a terrific job on Speedvision and I am glad I got this book.Interesting behind the scene intro to the formula one world and the details that you never see. Also appreciated authors' candor about the people in the sport.

Steve has finally brought f1 home. Aside from the occasional story about how Senna got upset at Alain, most F1 reading tends to be an excercise in number crunching. Steve has brought drama, personal emotion and even the feel of a new pair of Timberlands to the mind of the reader. I can't tell you how insightful this book is and what an impact it has had on me. I believe every F1 fan would enjoy the humble posture Steve takes in this romp through the whirlwind of his life. A great effort. I am waiting for another one Steve! How about the announcer's tale? I'd love to hear about Sam, David and Bob.

What did I expect from this book? Information, entertainment (always) and an insight into the life surrounding Formula 1.
What did I get from the book? Information, entertainment and insight into Formula 1. It was such an easy read, some may say too easy but it was great to have a book that I could pick up and put down at will without having to remember where the story was going. A text book it is not but I sure understand a lot more of the life in and around F.1.

abosoultly brilliant, a real insight into f1. beautifully written, funny and thoroughly enjoyable

Though many think this book as a sequel to Matchett's first novel, "Life in the Fast Lane", its main thrust is instead Matchett's career path from a mechanic working in both Ferrari and BMW to the Benetton Formula One Team to his resignation and transition from champion race mechanic to writer.

It still contains some interesting anecdotes though from Nelson Piquet's penchant for farting when the mechanic rests his head on Piquet's lap to adjust the ride height of the car to Michael Schumacher's very photographic memory - he can give the chassis' behavior as the car enters and exits every corner of a race track. Matchett also quashes notions about Benetton having a 1st and 2nd driver - all cars are created equal from the chassis to its minutest parts.

I was disappointed with the exposition as the author seem unable to decide whether the book is about his career path or an analysis of a Grand Prix event. Would have expected more analysis from him i.e. what he thinks of McLaren, Ferrari, who the best driver is, etc...