The Mechanic's Tale

Life in the Pit-Lanes of Formula One

De: Steve Matchett

Narrado por: Steve Matchett

Formula One Grand Prix mechanic Steve Matchett takes the listener on a compelling journey through his life in the pit-lane, from his beginnings as a young apprentice through his time at Ferrari and BMW to his later success with Benetton.

He gives eye-witness views of the great drivers, including Michael Schumacher, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, and Ayrton Senna. He also talks of key Benetton personalities and explains how the team was transformed into a strong, competitive organization, winning three World Championships.

©1999 Steve Matchett (P)2018 Tantor

A great behind the scenes book on Formula One.

I had read his previous book, "Life In The Fast Lane", and enjoyed it. This one was just as good, and covered some of the same things, but in more detail.
I really like that he also reads the book, as he has a comfortable style.
If I had to find one dislike, it was about halfway through when he spends too much time saying what he doesn't like about the rules for Formula One racing.
If you are into auto racing, this would be worth your while.

Ya don’t know what ya don’t know…

Well done on a difficult topic…
Well worth a listen…. Great narration…
I’m a drag racer for almost 20 years and if you haven’t lived the professional racing lifestyle this book is for you! Ya gotta love it…

Great Listen

I love that Steve Matchett narrated this book. The narration takes you right away into the life & work of an F1 race mechanic. If you're a F1 fan or are just curious about what's going behind the "poshness" of F1, this is all you can ask for and more.

Amazing to understand the inner workings.

I found it extremely informative and interesting to find out the inner workings of an F1 team. Steve Matchett does an amazing job of telling a story and also narrating this book. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in formula 1.

Interesting story of a F1 Team

This was interesting to me as a F1 fan, but I think he goes off piste at times and waffles and pads the narrative.

love Steve's knowledge

dated with a little to much complaining. good insights, believe it could be updated to include current times

loved it!

Please keep writing and narrating! I would be very interested to hear you narrate another book.

great insight in heyday of benetton F1

great story by the guy that should know about working as a wrench for Benetton. I could do without the poetry but that's just me. well worth the time.

Great perspective

Matchett paints a unique portrait of his entry into Formula 1. His sharing of a mechanic’s POV whilst traveling the globe with the biggest automotive circus known to man is accessible and believable with plenty to wisdom to be imparted both to fervent fans and curious sorts alike. It’s unlikely we’ll ever see another era of F1 similar to his experience, so this account is a splendid documentation when “privateers” still had a shot of claiming gold within the upper crust of racing glory.

loved it's true life accounts of the F1 life

I think it was especially good the Steve narrated it himself. I read it in 2022, but still a F1 modern account.