Book Review of Formula Fast: Your Ultimate Guide to Formula One Racing!
The Children’s Book Review
Formula Fast: Your Ultimate Guide to Formula One Racing!
Written by Matt Ralphs
Illustrated by Dragan Kordic
Ages: 8+ | 64 Pages
Publisher: Phaidon Press (2026) | ISBN-13: 978-1837291243
What to Expect: Formula One racing, legendary drivers, iconic tracks, cutting-edge cars, racing history, pit stops, car technology, record-breaking stats.
Formula Fast is the definitive illustrated guide to Formula One racing for young fans, delivering an action-packed, fact-filled tour through the world’s fastest sport — from legendary drivers to cutting-edge cars to the electric chaos of a pit stop.
Young speed-seekers who’ve ever wondered what it takes to become an F1 champion, which track pushes drivers to their absolute limit, or just how fast a pit crew can change four tires will find their answers here. Formula Fast takes readers behind the wheel and behind the scenes of Formula One, exploring the sport’s rich history alongside its thrilling present. With fascinating details about car technology, driver training, iconic circuits, and the greatest names in racing — from Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton to trailblazers like Desiré Wilson — this book covers every corner of the F1 world with the kind of depth that keeps curious kids coming back for more.
Matt Ralphs brings genuine enthusiasm and expertise to the subject, and it shows on every page. The writing strikes a confident balance between accessible and substantive — never talking down to its audience, but also never losing readers in technical jargon. Complex concepts like car aerodynamics and race strategy are explained with clarity, and the inclusion of record-breaking stats, historical timelines, and a glossary gives young readers the tools to dive deeper at their own pace. Ralph’s obvious love of the sport gives the text a spark of energy that feels authentic rather than manufactured for older readers.
Bold, graphic, and bursting with color, Dragan Kordic’s illustrations bring the speed and spectacle of F1 to life in a way that photographs simply couldn’t. Kordic’s design sensibility keeps the layouts visually exciting without ever becoming cluttered, making this a book that’s as beautiful as it is informative. The “Legendary Cars” spread showcases iconic machines from the sport’s history in vivid detail and is the kind of page a kid will stare at for twenty minutes straight. Equally striking is the “Formula Female” spread celebrating women in the sport with portraiture that feels both dynamic and dignified.
Formula Fast is an absolute must for any young F1 fan, aspiring gearhead, or kid who just loves fast things and great visuals. With its stunning silver-foiled cover, impeccable illustrations, and writing that sparks with passion for the sport, this is the rare nonfiction title that works equally well as a cover-to-cover read and a coffee table book for the 8-to-12 set. F1 fan kid approved — 1000%.
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About the Author
Matt Ralphs is an author and editor. His children’s non-fiction credits include Spooky Celebrations Around the World, Beasts from the Deep, Transported, Automotive and Around the World in 80 Inventions. He has lots of interests, especially Formula One and fast cars and counts himself lucky that he gets to write books about them.
About the Illustrator
Dragan Kordic is a Croatian illustrator and designer. His work ranges from illustrations for publishing and public spaces to visuals for startups, corporate clients, and advertising. He is inspired by nature, travel, and books. He lives in Rijeka, Croatia, with his wife and daughter.
