Since F1 is back in business for 2025, I thought it would be an interesting idea to recommend a fiction book based on each team!. I love reading and I love Formula 1, so it was an exciting challenge to compare and explore connections between these quite different experiences.
McLaren - Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
McLaren in the past decades has been a story of underdogs as they only recently have started to regain their former glory from the 80s and 90s. Northanger Abbey follows the naive Catherine Morland as she finds herself out in the world navigating complex relationships, society, and her own flaws. Both emphasize stories of growth and redemption, being stuck between multiple options, and have elements of humor, drama, and history.
Ferrari - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Ferrari is synonymous with F1 due to its tenure in the sport, and evokes devotion, passion, and pain because of the highs and lows experienced by fans and the team over the decades. The Count of Monte Cristo feels a fitting pick because the novel traverses decades of Edmond Dantes’ life as he is met with political and personal turmoil in Napoleon Era France. Glamour, prestige, nostalgia, and commitment are key points to the journey of this team and novel.
Red Bull - Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Red Bull has a reputation for their very competitive nature, which blends into a sense of high stakes and determination. Vicious follows two former friends who find themselves on the opposing side of a conflict, each determined to win. They have in common a very focused direction, knowing what they’re aiming and doing what’s in their power to achieve it.
Mercedes - This is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone and Amal El-Mohtar
Mercedes is one of the most dominant teams in Formula 1 winning 8 consecutive Constructors Championships, and several Drivers Titles. Mercedes has the edge, desire, and competitive spirit to succeed, even when they’re on the back foot, which This is How You Lose the Time War encapsulates perfectly. Two opposing time travelers, Red and Blue, enter a competitive game as they leave letters for one another across time, and slowly learn what winning means as their circumstances change.
Aston Martin - What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
Aston Martin has uncertainty around them as they have a lot of talent and promise, yet the execution hasn’t been able to pay off. What You Are Looking For is in the Library is fitting as it follows characters who are stuck in unique ways, and as the title says, ultimately find the direction they're searching for when they least expect it. Aston Martin is on the cusp of what they’re looking for with the signing of Adrian Newey, so much like the novel, there’s hope for their future direction.
Alpine - The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Alpine is a team that has a long history with the highs and lows to couple it, from the wins as Benneton and Renault, or the disappointing form in 2024. The Starless Sea is a novel with layers as the main character finds himself deeper and deeper into this mysterious novel he discovers. While confusing at times, Alpine and The Starless Sea share ebbs and flows, reinvent themselves, and have fascinating lore.
Haas - A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
Within Haas’ decade stint in Formula 1, they have largely been the underdog as they have tried, but often come up short to have excelling performances. Likewise, A Midsummer Night’s Dream follows several characters who are advocating for their own desires and destinies yet forces often get in the way. 2024 and Midsummer are showcasing positive takeaways at the tail end, but still leave lingering questions about if it was a dream or a real promise.
Racing Bulls - Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Racing Bulls is the sister/junior team of Red Bull, so their close association allows for support; however, Racing Bulls as a team dedicated to learning has a more relaxed, yet sometimes complex vibe. Dial A for Aunties matches this as it is a comedic murder mystery that emphasizes family, second chances, and character development.
Williams - You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi
Williams are a special team as they have been around for decades, but have been met with poor form and the transition out of the Williams family over the last decades. They find themselves on the brink of reinvention and the promise of a hopeful season with the duo of Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, which is reminiscent of You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty. The main character is looking to move forward after she’s been grieving, so we follow her on her journey, which is hard, messy, emotional, and joyful.
Sauber - Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Sauber (Kick Sauber) have had many iterations throughout Formula 1, being a team that has launched the careers of many drivers, and will soon become Audi. There’s a lot of nostalgia and hope for Sauber that didn’t always come to fruition, which is similar to Before the Coffee Gets Cold. It follows multiple people who come to a coffee shop to visit someone who’s also been there, but as nothing will change, it’s a way to remember and find closure for threads left untied.