Life in the Fast Lane
By Steve Matchett

246 pages

The 1994 season was a unique in the history of Formula 1. The banning of electronic aids such as active suspension, the death of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger in a single race weekend, and the crowning of a new world champion, Michael Schumacher, were all part of a turbulent period in the sport. With an eye for detail, a young mechanic at Benetton Formula 1 had been writing about his experiences that year for a book that would give unique insight into the life of an F1 mechanic on the road with a championship winning team.

Now the familiar voice on SPEED TV’s coverage of Formula 1 in the United States, Steve Matchett tells a story of the life and times of the silent and often anonymous squads of mechanics we see working away in the pit lane during the F1 Season. Well documented episodes and colorful characters really come to life in Steve’s book; a behind the scenes look into the meticulous and painstaking work that goes into building, testing and preparing a Grand Prix car.

The author began his career in F1 in 1990, and joined the Benetton team at the outset of his book, working alongside drivers, other mechanics, and of course, Flavio Briattore on the B194’s of Michael Schumacher, J.J. Lehto, and Jos Verstappen. The life of an F1 mechanic is demanding, and between travels, races, and countless hours working on the cars, the reader develops an understanding for the effort and stamina it takes to keep these cars running and winning. Today, listening to Matchett’s on-air descriptions of cars, incidents and accidents in Formula 1 races turn out to be vivid recollections of his time spent working on the Benetton Grand Prix cars.

This story is not of the glamour and glory we see on the television, but a story of the long hours, details and workmanship that go into these cars. The minor victories in the shop as well as the personalities of the cars seem apparent through the experiences of the author, whose life at that time was dedicated to making them perform well. That said, it’s also clear from the story that F1 mechanics have a wicked sense of humor, and they rely on the same creativity with which they work on the cars to relive their job stress – often in interesting ways.

The Grand Prix mechanic’s life is full of rigorous and precise work, and the reader has a feel for the author’s attention to not only the car, but everything and everyone he’s in contact with, giving the reader a perspective for the personality and character of these guys: Hard-working, quick-witted, and extremely dedicated.