Reading books makes miracles. It makes you feel happier and calmer. What about F1 drivers’ books? Do they really have time to spend listing the novel? Yes, it fits better for chess players or architects, but in Formula 1, there are also a few big readers because the sport is more than just about being fast. It is also about being wise. It is like strategy, and books are a helpful source for the right mindset. Don’t believe that? Then, let’s explore who and what kind of books read in Formula 1.

Bookworms On The Grid: Which F1 Drivers Read Books?

You wonder, but only three drivers out of 20 like to spend time reading books, Lewis Hamilton, Pierre Gasly, and Fernando Alonso. They read consciously, relaxing after the race, switching their mind, and gaining new inspiring stories.

As for the others, they find reading the books is a bit boring. Perhaps they didn’t find their favorite one. Thus, Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, and Esteban Ocon prefer to spend time more fun, such as playing football.

Daniel Ricciardo once tried to read The Visitor by Lee Child, but it helped him to sleep quickly. He promised to read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho last time, but one says the moment won’t happen.

Sergio Perez started but didn’t finish Urbrands by Risto Mejide.

The new generation of F1 drivers like Lnado Norris, Oscar Piastri, Charles Leler, Alex Albon, and Max Verstappen don’t like reading books, as they focus on the sim racing and virtual grands prix, preparing for the the real Formula 1 races.

What Books Do F1 Drivers Read?

If drivers in Formula 1 even read the books, these are biographies and autobiographies of famous people. The reason is the attempt to gain lessons from others’ experiences and find motivation and inspiration.

Thus, Max Verstappen revealed that he read only two books, which were biographies: My Turn: The Autobiography by Johan Cruyff and Aussie Grit: My Formula One Journey by Mark Webber.

Carlos Sainz liked Open by Andre Agassi, while Lance Stroll enjoyed Rafa by Rafael Nadal. These two books are in the collection of the two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso.

Alonso takes the maximum at what he does, from racing to the books he reads. He prefers something rare and difficult, while the Art of War by Sun Tzu is still his favorite one.

Besides, the Spanish Formula 1 driver revealed that he was reading El último paraíso by Antonio Garrido. Especially if you like books about strong people with thriller elements, you need to read another Garrido’s The Corpse Reader.  

As for something complicated and significant, Pierre Gasly liked The Core – Better Life, Better Performance book by Oskari Saari.

The book describes Hintsa’s holistic model. A Finnish F1 coach and a doctor, Aki Hintsa, has for years guided drivers towards success, but more than anything, towards mental and physical well-being. Gasly revealed his own autobiography, ‘Gasly, le magnifique’ in 2010.

Kevin Magnussen read Faster Than Lightning. My Story by Usain Bolt. 

Although former F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen has his own autobiography, The Unknown Kimi Raikkonen Book by Kari Hotakainen, he liked James Hunt: The Biography by Gerald Donaldson. 

However, the bookworm palm three goes to Lewis Hamilton. It is the only driver who spends so much time reading the books. Here is the list of his most-recommend reading:

• Afua Hirsch – Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging;
• Akala – Natives;
• Alice Walker – The Color Purple;
• Maya Angelou – And Still I Rise;
• Layla F Saad -Me and White Supremacy, Combat Racism, Change the World and Become a Good Ancestor;
• Reni Eddo-Lodge – Why I’m no Longer talking to White People about race;
• Malcolm X – Autobiography; 
• David Olusoga – Black and British;
• Paul Gilroy – There Ain’t no Black in the Union Jack.

As for Lewis Hamilton’s favorite books, there are two: The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz and Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

Hamilton liked The Four Agreements for the mental lessons it gives, as he says:

‘There’s an element in there (Four Agreements) where it says don’t take anything personally, so when someone says something about you, it’s not actually about you, it’s how they feel about themselves.’

Sums up

In some terms, F1 drivers are similar to ordinary people. Everyone wants to be better, faster, and stronger. Some of them get lessons from books.

Thus, Pierre Gasly and Fernando Alonso read complicated books at the maximum, while Lewis Hamilton is a bookworm, as his reading list is endless.

Despite only a few drivers prefer to spend the time with the book, the most like biographies and autobiographies. A very popular Aussie Grit: My Formula One Journey by Mark Webber, Open by Andre Agassi, and Rafa by Rafael Nadal are the items each F1 driver has in the collection.

Why so? Being such a competitive sport, Formula 1 can be mentally demanding, and the book with other athletes’ experiences is a faithful companion in both happy and difficult times for an F1 driver.

The rest is the personal preference.

References

• Sportskeeda, by Devang Chauhan ‘Max Verstappen reveals the only two books that he’s read in his life‘ https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/news-max-verstappen-reveals-two-books-read-life (January 23, 2024)