Automotive coffee table books can be something of a minefield: for every gem there are five dull, boring variations of ‘The Power and Passion of Ferrari’.
However, I’m happy to report that ‘F1: The Pinnacle’ is very squarely in the old camp.
Compiled and written by the excellent Simon Arron (hurry up with the Formula 3000 book the world needs) and Tony Dodgins, ‘F1: The Pinnacle’ is structured around pivotal events throughout F1 history, each captured largely through a lavishly illustrated double page. and some well-chosen text.
Curating such ‘pivotal events’ is what sets ‘The Pinnacle’ apart: Arron and Dodgin’s deep insider knowledge means highlights go beyond cliches and received narrative. This is both refreshing and comforting. Benefiting from not being an official F1 publication, the book is able to dive into rarely charted coffee table topics: controversies, commercials and Herman ‘the hairpin’ Tilke.
The illustrations themselves are magnificent, with many images that I haven’t seen before, along with several classic images.
For the seasoned F1 fan it’s debatable whether they need ‘F1: The Pinnacle’, but at £36 it’s reasonably priced for a book of this quality and would certainly be a very worthwhile investment for new fans of the sport.
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F1: The Pinnacle
Authors: Simon Arron and Tony Dodgins
Publisher: Ivy Press
Published: May 2022
Pages: 240
Price: £36
ISBN: 9780711274204
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