Product Description

Since the first Grand Prix held in France in 1906 there have been many fatal accidents and serious injuries on the race track. In 1994 the sport was rocked by the tragic death of super-hero Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian driver, in the San Marino race. Since then more safety features have been added to the cars and to the rules of the race. But at speeds of over 200 miles per hour, and cars vying for position on the track, Formula 1 will never be a safe sport. There is always the possibility of death. Sports writer, Phil Shirley, probes the thoughts and feelings of the men who live with extreme danger. Some of them have witnessed fatal accidents; they are well aware of the risks they face and speak candidly about their approach to life and death, about their beliefs and superstitions, about prayer and their view of God. Interviews include: Damo n Hill, Mika Hakkinen, Michael Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve, and Martin Brundle.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1209083 in Books
• Published on: 2000-02-07
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Deadly Obsessions: Life and Death in Formula One is a chilling reminder that the high-speed world of F1 is no Sunday drive.

Thankfully, since the black weekend at Imola in May 1994, when during practice Roland Ratzenberger and, in the course of the race, Aryton Senna were both killed, there have been no fatalities in the sport. That is not to say that there hasn't been crashes, shunts and bumps involving not just "tail-end charlies" but past champions Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve, as well as reigning title-holder Mikka Hakkinen. Viilleneuve, who lost his father Giles at an early age, he endured more spins than a Danni Minogue single. Double champ Schumacher was forced to sit out most of the 1999 season with a broken leg. Back-to-back winner Hakkinen suffered a horror crash in 1995, which almost cost him his life.

Every chapter that Phil Shirley pens leaves the reader gripping the pages and chasing the answers which drive men to put their lives on the line. Shirley probes the relationship and deep bond between a driver and their belief and faith in God.

As well as interviewing the current crop of competitors, Shirley examines articles and quotes from those who have departed to the great put lane in the sky

The long and tragic list of men lost at the wheel is grim reading but the perspective the reader gains is a powerful, lasting tribute to their immortal achievements. --Andrea Bullock

About the Author
Phil Shirley is a sports journalist who has written for many popular newspapers and sports magazines, including the New York Times and The News of the World . He is the author of several successful books published by HarperCollins.

Customer Reviews

A bad book
This book is mainly a collection of well known facts, quotes from other sources, and some author's opinions presented with a language suitable for a tabloid but not for a book.
Instead of exploring the psychology of F1 drivers, the author just presents some quotes from driver's interviews "enhanced" by his own comments presented in an intentionally melodramatic way.
I had to force myself to finish reading this book, in order to be able write this review!

Extremely insightful!
This book was a god-send. It has allowed me to find a jumping off point for my dissertation into the safety of F1 racing. It was both informative, insightful and moving. I loved reading about what motivates the drivers to do what they do - the extras about the cars and the safety were just a bonus.