Interesting observations in the book:

“Modern F1 burns money-several teams get through $1 million a day.”

Max Mosley said: “Formula One is unsustainable. You cannot run a business like that when the outgoings are two to three times what’s coming in. It now depends on billionaires subsidizing teams.”

The average F1 race costs a promoter $18 million.

Instead of Obituaries, AUTOCOURSE offers “Appreciations.” Those included are Phil Hill, Chuck Daigh, Paul Frere, Tony Rolt, Jimmy Stewart, Ove Andersson, Bernard Cahier, Paul Newman and Jean-Marie Balestre.

A great Paul Newman quote from his “Appreciation”…

“Nothing takes the place of racing. To enjoy the sensation of driving and racing, and to really be able to see the effect of it in your mirrors, that extra ten feet you built up coming out of a particular corner. You know, that’s a kick in the ass.”

“Grands Prix 2008” chronicles all 18 rounds of the Formula One World Championship…from A-B…Australia to Brazil. Each race weekend is documented with Time Sheets recording Practice, Qualifying, Final Race Classification, Race Tyre Strategies and a chart of each car’s position on the track during every lap of the race. Driver Points and Constructor Points are also totaled after each race. The “For the Record” section contains wonderful trivia. One example: When Lewis Hamilton won the 2008 Australian Grand Prix it was the first win for car #22 since Jo Siffert won the 1968 British Grand Prix in a Lotus-Ford 49B.

The “All Time Records” page is my favorite. A few tidbits:

Starts: Rubens Barrichello: 268
Wins: Michael Schumacher: 91
Poles: Michael Schumacher: 68
Podiums: Michael Schumacher: 154
World Championships: Michael Schumacher: 7
Fastest Laps: Michael Schumacher: 76
Youngest Winner: Sebastian Vettel: 21y 2m 11d
Youngest Starter: Mike Thackwell: 19y 5m 29d
Youngest on Pole: Sebastian Vettel: 21y 2m 11d
Youngest Champion: Lewis Hamilton: 23y 9m 26d

“AUTOCOURSE: The World’s Leading Grand Prix Annual” earns five out of five lug nuts. Purchase it at Speedtv.com Bookstore

Gregg Leary is a researcher/writer for Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain on SPEED. (Photo: SPEED)

The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEEDtv.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or Speed Channel

Gregg Leary is a Researcher/Writer for "Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain","The SPEED Report", book reviewer and columnist for SPEEDtv.com. Leary was track announcer for Hooter's IHRA Drag Racing at National Events in the USA and Canada and entertained event crowds during "down time". He was Marketing, PR Director and track announcer at Lake Erie Speedway. Leary covered Auto Racing, Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and the National Basketball Association. Leary has conducted motivational seminars and performed stand-up comedy around the country. Leary is available for motorsports consulting on a limited basis. Contact him via email at

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