On the Grid

‘Hugely enjoyable… Smith’s excellent book is an access-all-areas VIP pass. Full of passion for the sport - the noise, the roar and the speed - he takes you behind the scenes to look at how F1 racing works through the hundreds of people who create it… Fascinating  * Daily Mail *‘Even if you think you know everything there is to know about Formula 1, you’ll learn something within these pages’ * GP Racing *‘From the moment he arrived in the Formula 1 paddock a decade ago, Luke Smith announced himself as far more than just a journalist. For me, he is one of the finest wordsmiths in modern sport, his deftly woven narratives immersing the reader in the full visceral experience of the motor racing world. By combining his deep knowledge and experience of Formula 1 with infectious passion and singular craft he has created a truly fabulous and unique piece of work. On the Grid is incredibly special. I loved every thoughtfully written word’ – Will Buxton ‘Luke is one of the foremost journalists within the paddock. His book draws the curtain back on our sport and delves deep into the fascinating world that sees hundreds of people at each team working to put two cars on track and competing against each other every other weekend. Very few titles have covered the stories of the unsung members of the F1 community in this level of detail and with such vibrancy’ – Toto Wolff ‘Luke’s book is a great read for any new or seasoned F1 fan. The chapters flow as well as Suzuka’s first sector and the compelling stories of our travelling circus will keep you entertained until the very last page. Recommend!’ – Esteban Ocon ‘A fabulous in-depth behind the scenes look at one of the world’s most exciting and incredible global sports. A huge mix of characters from professional athletes through to devoted, almost NASA-like scientists. A book for the fanatical fan, a wonderful journey into F1’ – Tom Kerridge 

Luke Smith is a Formula 1 and motorsport journalist based in Bexhill-on-Sea. He is currently a Senior Writer covering Formula 1 for The Athletic and his work regularly features in the New York Times as he follows the sport’s travelling circus. Prior to The Athletic, Luke spent ten years reporting on Formula 1 for Autosport and NBC Sports, among other media outlets. He regularly makes both television and radio appearances as a Formula 1 pundit. Luke does not have a driving licence.