Book Review

“Formula One”, by Anthony Pritchard. 336 pp. 8 1/2 in. x 5 1/2 in. (George Allen & Unwvin Ltd., 40, Museum Street, London, W.C. I. 42s.)

This had all the makings of being a first-class book but for the fact that the publishers brought it out too soon. Instead of waiting until the end of 1965 when the 1 1/2-litre Formula ended, and a suitable era could be pigeon-holed, the author was forced to finish writing early in 1965 and end his tabulated results with the 1964 season. This defeats the whole usefulness of the book as a work of reference, apart from putting into print such remarks as “Brabham will not be supporting the new Formula” (1966). Added to this the author’s knowledge is a bit limited, as are his sources of information, so that the book is not truly authoritative on “Grand Prix Racing Since 1946” as it purports to be. At times one gets the impression that the author is wearing a bowler hat and carrying an umbrella, while a Union Jack waves in the background, whereas Grand Prix racing is an International affair. Numerous Continental names are misspelt or muddled, while many facts and figures can be found to be wrong by merely turning up old race reports, and some details of cars such as Ferrari and Maserati do not tie up with the details given in the official publications from those firms. For the sake of the V.S.C.C. Gould bought an ex-works car, no. 2514, which Spero now drives, not Bira’s old rigid rear-axle car of 1953/54. As a history book this is not a good one, as a primer to Grand Prix racing since 1946 it is probably all right.—D. S. J.