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

by Steve Matchett (Author) "At the end of 1988 I took the decision to leave Ferrari, and moved to main BMW dealership, still working as a mechanic..." (more)
Key Phrases: race mechanics, race trucks, active car, Grand Prix, Formula One, Benetton Formula (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A top Grand Prix mechanic’s firsthand account of the personalities and performances that make or break a Formula One racing team, featuring 60 color photos.

From the Publisher
In his new book, Formula One Grand Prix mechanic Steve Matchett offers the reader an inside look at his life as a pit crew mechanic, from his beginnings as a young apprentice through his time at Ferrari and BMW, to his later success with Benetton. There are eyewitness accounts of the great drivers, including Michael Schumacher, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, and Ayrton Senna. He also talks about key Benetton personalities, revealing how the team was transformed into a strong competitive organization, winning three World Championships. In this fast–moving account, the high–pressure world of Formula One leaps off the page.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Orion Publishing (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752827839
• ISBN-13: 978-0752827834
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #128,297 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #95 in

  Books > Nonfiction > Automotive > Racing

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A quite unique book: witty, informative and very funny too!, January 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mechanic's Tale: Life in the Pit Lanes of Formula One (Hardcover)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steve Matchett's: The Mechanic's Tale, February 1, 2006

By	Robert Taylor "Racecar Bob" (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable book. Highly recommend., October 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mechanic's Tale: Life in the Pit Lanes of Formula One (Hardcover)

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.