Winning: The Business of Formula [Paperback]

Russell Hotten (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 17, 2000

In this penetrating book, Russell Hotten examines, for the first time, the business and finance of Formula One. In particular, he explains the often complex web of team owners, drivers, engineers, sponsors, and the media that has turned Formula One into such a rich and glamorous sport. The book profiles the sport's movers and shakers (Bernie Ecclestone, Max Mosley, Frank Williams, and Eddie Jordan) and its multi-millionaire drivers (Michael Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve). It examines the vital role of the engineers and designers who have propelled Formula One into a new age of machine technology. And it also looks at the future of the sport that is increasingly being driven by the demands of sponsors and the media.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Auto racing is one of the world's top spectator sports, and Russell Hotten's Winning thoroughly examines the larger-than-life personalities, cutting-edge technologies and over-the-top commercial triumphs that mark the stunningly successful British-based Grand Prix circuit. Hotten, financial news editor at London's Mail on Sunday newspaper, notes at the start that an entire March-through-October Formula One racing season actually consumes less time than a single typical work week--although its outsized entertainment and business benefits are ridden full bore year-round. Written from a Brit's global perspective, his book fully explains the sky-high stakes that result when every two-hour race on alternating Sundays is watched by 350 million enthusiasts in over 200 countries. "Only the Olympics and (soccer's) World Cup surpass these viewing figures," Hotten writes, "but they only take place every four years." As such F1 has become an international commercial phenomenon, even if its U.S. appeal is dampened by America's fascination with homegrown NASCAR and Indy racing. Everything is in place for even more growth, though, and Hotten tells all about the "fast cars, wealth, glamour, sex, danger" and controversies (such as the big-money sponsorships by tobacco companies). Race fans worldwide, as well as those interested in the general business of sports, will likely find Winning a winner. --Howard Rothman

From Library Journal

Business writer Hotten tries to do for Formula One racing what Robert Hagstrom (The NASCAR Way, LJ 1/98) did for NASCAR. Hotten writes from a Euro/ international perspective, and some of his observations are at odds with American views. For the motorsport enthusiast, he provides a sense of what's behind the sport: glitz, power, and prestige, as well as the financial underpinnings. Yet while he offers some insight into the considerable economic engine it takes to run the sport, Hotten falls short in providing object lessonsAthe business reader would be hard pressed to develop applications based on the Formula One model presented here. True, Hotten does present the concept of a "weightless business," the importance of communications, and the marketing potential of a global market. In the long run, however, his book will probably appeal more to the sporting crowd than the typical business reader. Recommended only for special collections.ASteven Silkunas, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Philadelphia
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Texere; 1 edition (November 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587990113
• ISBN-13: 978-1587990113
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,196,711 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars There is alot more to F1 than the racing, April 18, 2001

By 

Francis McIlvaine (Fairfield, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Winning: The Business of Formula (Paperback)

This book examines the sport outside of the actual racing. The cost of the series, the sponsorship, and the politics. It also examines the history of the sport to show how the sport evolved into what it is today. It highlights a few teams as examples of the way the teams approach the f1 environment. It is an interesting sport where Michael Schmaucher makes more in a year than the total budget of some of the less competative teams (i.e. Arrows). Don't be fooled by the Nov 2000 publication date. This is a book that was written in 1998 and then published for the US market in 2000. There is a final chapter that I am sure was supposed to be substituted for the original final chapter (It is in large part a cut and paste of the original final chapter), but due to poor editing both chapters are included in the book. Overall I enjoyed the book and found that it really helped my understanding of the sport. Before this book, I could never understand how the underfunded teams survived.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An informative behind the scenes look at Formula One, August 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Formula One: Business of Winning (Hardcover)

A well written book covering the various players (the teams, FIA, advertising, sponsors and the media) that make up Formula One today. The book traces the origins of the sport and how it has evolved into the media event that it is today.

The book is an easy read and makes watching Formula One racing more interesting.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Boring, June 14, 2002

By 

Shashi Malkani (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Winning: The Business of Formula (Paperback)

This is a really boring book. As you read it, you're always waiting to get to the interesting part that never really arrives. Hotten's writing style is very dry and the book reads like a textbook. He also constantly repeats the same things over and over again - yes, I already know that F1 is very expensive, Ferrari is passionate and Williams has great engineering.

Even the layout of the book can get frustrating. The chapters don't flow well and the whole book comes off as being incoherent and repetitive. Hotten should have gathered all his facts and then let someone else write and edit the book for him, probably down to about half its current size. I'm not sure if I can recommend another book for people interested in learning about the F1 business, but I can certainly advise against getting this one.