Stars, Stripes and Speed - by Roger Smith (Paperback)

About the Book

A vivid, data-rich celebration of America's evolving role in Formula 1 -- from early champions to Liberty Media, Netflix, and the rise of U.S. Grand Prix events.

Book Synopsis

Stars, Stripes & Speed: America's Formula 1 Story is a bold and visually striking celebration of the United States' evolving role in the world's most glamorous motorsport. From early flashes of promise to today's cultural and commercial prominence, Roger Smith charts America's unique journey in Formula 1 -- a story decades in the making and still gaining speed.

Across stunning visuals, sharp commentary, and exclusive infographics, author Roger Smith explores how the U.S. transitioned from an uncertain participant to a powerful player reshaping the sport's modern identity. From Watkins Glen and Long Beach to Miami and Las Vegas, the book traces the circuits, personalities, and pivotal moments that defined America's stop-start relationship with F1 -- and its dramatic resurgence under Liberty Media's stewardship.

Inside, you'll find chapters dedicated to groundbreaking drivers like Phil Hill and Mario Andretti, influential teams and sponsors, media revolutions from ESPN to Netflix, and the growing spectacle of U.S.-based races. Timelines and data-led graphics bring key milestones to life, from rising attendance and viewership to the expanding fanbase drawn in by Drive to Survive.

Whether you're a new recruit to the grid or a lifelong motorsport devotee, Stars, Stripes & Speed is a timely and essential retrospective -- not just of America's place in Formula 1, but of its accelerating influence on what the sport has become.

Includes material adapted and updated from Formula 1 All the Races 2016-2024: Liberty Media's Makeover.

About the Author

Roger Smith is a lifetime fan and student of Formula 1, and has attended over 100 F1 races across five continents. Prior to becoming an author, Roger worked for a leading business information company. His successful 40-year career spanned several international roles and his research findings were published throughout Europe.

Following retirement from business life, Roger pursued his aspiration to write. His first book, Analysing Formula 1, published in 2008, was a stepping stone to a more ambitious project. Inspired by a gap on his own personal F1 bookshelf, he set out to create a single volume incorporating an informative historical storyline race-by-race. Formula 1: All The Races, first published in 2012, sold out within four months and was shortlisted for the British Sports Book Awards. To celebrate 75 years of F1, the fifth edition in the series is set to bring the F1 story bang up to date. Roger lives in Oxford and Chichester with his wife, and is a member of The Guild of Motoring Writers.