INDEX

(Page numbers in bold refer to significant subject mentions)

Abu Dhabi 9, 115, 218, 282, 299

accidents, see crashes

adrenalin rush 59, 117, 121, 122, 197, 220, 245

Aero Racing 58

aerodynamics 45, 56, 123, 127–31, 127–31 passim, 162–3, 171–2, 171–5, 173, 175, 176, 176–7, 177, 215, 237, 248, 253, 306, 326

airlines 87–8

Albert, Rince of Monaco 202, 216

alcohol, see drinking alcohol

Aleshin, Mikhail 262, 272

Alonso, Fernando 10, 27, 33, 81, 97–8, 138, 170, 184, 218, 227–8, 273–4, 288–90, 298

Always Be Learning’ philosophy 30, 327

Amber Lounge 67, 202, 296

Arai Helmet 213

architect’s window 280

Armco barriers 308

arrogance, defined 56–7

attitude 44–7

Austin Grand Prix 119, 120, 126, 126, 293, 299

Australian Grand Prix 72, 78, 87, 91, 132, 146, 294, 295

Austrian Grand Prix 146

autocross 4

Autodromo Nazionale Monza 191, 231, 297

automatic gearboxes 109

bad-PR anecdote 87

Bahrain Grand Prix 144–5, 287

Baja 1000 149–55

BAR-Honda 98, 115, 198, 205

Barcelona circuit, see Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

Barrichello, Rubens 42, 81, 85, 105, 137–8, 185, 210–11, 216, 290

BATAK wall 235, 267

Bathurst (Mount Panorama) circuit 78

Beckham, David 208

Belgium 250

Bell Helmets 212, 213

Benetton Formula Ltd 28, 66, 101, 163, 166, 173, 249–50, 281, 282

Bianchi, Jules 258

BMW 77, 96

bodily functions 229

body fat 238, 243

bonus payments 70, 206

booze-ups, see drinking alcohol

Bottas, Valtteri 103, 160, 214, 322

Boullier, Eric 10–11

boxing 32

BR Engineering 265

braking 4, 17–18, 29, 97, 107–8, 109–14

points310

under- 237, 250–1, 258, 308

zones 110–11, 293

Brawn Racing 16, 70, 81, 105, 140, 160, 174, 185, 205, 213, 281, 290

creation of 173

first GP one–two 280

JB joins 200

JB leaves 78

Rubens’ accident 210–11

Brawn, Ross 173, 200, 280

Brazilian Grand Prix 28, 87, 190, 216, 218, 272, 273, 290

breakfast 240, 242–3

breathing, G-force affects 221–2

Brenthel, Jonathan 150, 155

Brenthel, Jordan 150, 151–3, 155

Briatore, Flavio 66, 281, 282

Bridgestone 112, 179, 180, 183

British American Racing (BAR) 98, 115 (see also BAR-Honda)

British Grand Prix 36–7, 65, 146, 196, 271, 283, 298

2009 185–6

2018 320–3

Brownlee, Alistair 244

Brownlee, Jonathan 244

Brunt, Roger 4

Buncombe, Chrissy 16, 44, 151, 153, 265–6

40th birthday 149

Le Mans win 261

burnouts 100

Button, Hendrix Jonathan (son) 26, 328–9

Button, Jenson:

as ambassador 37, 78

becomes racing driver 26, 69–70

best-ever laps 16

best mate, see Buncombe, Chrissy

boats owned by 83–5

Brittny meets 10

Californian driving lessons 3–5, 10

childhood 26, 252

‘comeback’ 9–12, 13–22, 25

F1, first enters 28, 29, 64

F1, ‘last’ race 9

F1, as spectator 25

F3, as driver 155, 163, 212

F4, as driver 155, 212

fails first driving test 4

father–son bond 192

fatherhood 26, 328–9

father’s death 10

first go-kart 26

first pole position of 98, 99

future plans 57–8

joins McLaren 78

in LA, see Los Angeles (LA)

leaves karting 29

love of Babybels 80, 81, 82

manager, see Goddard, Richard

‘off the pace’ 153, 207–8

other sports taken up by 32, 240

other types of vehicles 53–4

parents split 26

retirement 5, 9–10, 25, 47

second-to-last GP 28, 218

Suzuka win 138

as TV commentator, see Sky

worst accident 16

Button, John (father) 26, 41, 43, 54, 191, 295, 329

death of 10

father–son bond 192

karting name 58

Button’s buttons 245–6, 266

caffeine 244–5, 267

Californian driving licence 3–4, 10

Californian Highway Patrol 4

calories 240, 241

camber 112, 175, 183–4, 263

Canadian Grand Prix 76, 125, 189, 294–5

car knowledge 249–54, 304–5

car museums 200–1

carbohydrates 241–3, 244

carbon monocoque 55, 58

Carry On Formula One Driver 96

Cassidy, Nick 194

caster angle 175

Catch-22 situations 163

celebrations 9, 189–202

champagne spraying 194–8

chicanes 126, 258

Chinese Grand Prix 221–2

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya 103, 105, 137, 140, 160, 292

Circuit de la Sarthe, see Le Mans 24-Hour Race

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps 28, 144, 146, 177, 193, 283, 294, 298

circuits 307–13 (see also by name)

Cirque du Soleil 295

claustrophobia 222, 223

‘clutch bite point find’ 100

clutch control 102

competitiveness 28, 32, 45, 58, 66, 173, 196, 260, 272, 318

Constructor’s Championship 70, 174, 191, 206

contracts 70, 77, 166, 198, 200, 278, 279, 285

Cookie Monster anecdote 76

corners 308–9

Coulthard, David 66, 68, 117–18

crash helmets 191, 200, 208–17, 213, 268

crashes 16, 20–1, 33–6, 48–9, 106, 116–18, 121, 164, 168, 191, 225–9, 257–8, 308

cycling 3, 238, 241, 247

Daimler AG 71

data engineers 170, 284

Daytona 24 Hours 58

Delta Air Lines 87–8

Dennis, Ron 277, 279

desert terrain 149–55

Deutsche Bank 37

diet 235–43, 242, 266–7

diffusers 106, 173, 280

dinner 242–3

Diocles, Gaius Appuleius 92

DiRT 2.0 170

distraction 219, 310–13

downforce 11, 45, 55–8 passim, 106, 109–11, 122–4, 152–3, 163, 175, 248, 259, 298, 326

diffuser influences 106, 173

mechanical grip vs 122, 162–3

on S-bends 306

and set-up 176–7

in Super GT 56

wings influence 170–2

drag reduction system (DRS) 119, 120, 121–2, 126, 326, 327

drinking alcohol 63–8, 84, 90, 95

Driver’s Championship 70, 174

Driver’s Toolkit, 12 essential tools 27–49

driving suits 133–4, 200, 211, 217, 249

Dunlop 180

earnings 69–71, 71, 92

employer–employee relationship 277–8

engineering know-how 64

engines 159–61

‘equal share’ payment 206

eSports 170

eyesight 235

fainting 221–5

Fast & Furious 151

fatigue 88, 259, 261, 271, 317

fear 218–20

fearlessness 48–9

Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), see FIA Ferrari 69, 72, 79–80, 98, 125, 138, 173, 176, 190–1, 203, 210, 263, 288–9, 297–8, 326

Prost sacked by 74

special payment 206

FIA 70, 117, 130–1, 171, 226–7, 280

Finland 213, 240

Fisichella, Giancarlo 28, 66

fitness 39, 235–43

fluid-dispensing button 245–6

F1, see Formula One

footwork 109–10, 111–12

Force India 170, 288

Formula E (FE) 161

Formula One (F1):

1983 season 74

1991 season 74, 189

2000 season 28

2001 season 28, 246, 250

2006 season 184–5

2008 season 190

2009 season 41–3, 47, 49, 67, 105, 173–4, 185–6

2010 season 193

2011 season 192–3

2012 season 177

2013 season 203

2014 season 127–30

2016 season 218

2017 season 11

2018 season 57–9, 176, 208

2019 season 176

2020 season 57, 293

cars in 1970s 236

deaths 257–8

ex-drivers 324–5

JB ‘on call’ to 11–12

JB’s ‘comeback’ 9–12, 13–22, 25

JB’s retirement 5

off-season 66, 91–2

race length 259

Super GT comparisons 121, 156, 194, 213

‘three Ms’ rule 294–8

Formula Three (F3) 155, 163, 212

Formula Four (F4) 155, 212

Formulaoneville 25, 294

France Grand Prix see Le Mans

front slide 123

Fry, Nick 280

fuel 133–42, 259

G-force 34, 110, 134, 226, 237–8, 248

breathing affected by 221–2

simulation 167

garage crew 142

Gascoyne, Mike 249

gear change 100, 115

gear shift 248, 258, 269

gears 107–9

German Grand Prix 145

GKS Karting 250

glamour 71–3

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 243–5

go-karting, see karting

goal-setting 16–17, 257

Goddard, Richard 11–12, 16, 44, 78, 80, 200, 278, 311

Gough, Jules 44

Gran Turismo 33, 170

Grand Prix 27

JB wins 96–7

JB’s second-to-last 28

named, see main entries

1000K 56

weekends 36–8, 65, 197, 201, 204, 320

green circuit, defined 307

GT Racing, described in detail 55–9 (see also Super GT)

GT3 55, 58

Hamilton, Lewis 15, 27, 69, 71, 78, 81–2, 85, 103, 104–5, 126, 190, 192, 284–91 passim, 305, 322, 323, 325

‘Sherlock’ analysis of 97–8

hand-to-eye coordination 235

Hanoi Street Circuit 293

HANS device 48

Harrison, George 295

hats, see crash helmets

Hawaii 91–2

Head & Shoulders ad 15

Health & Safety 197, 247, 257

helmets, see crash helmets

Herbert, Johnny 26

high-speed corners 146, 177, 182, 238, 258, 304, 310

Hintsa, Dr Aki 240, 242

historic payments 206

Honda Racing 55, 56, 70, 98, 115, 139, 184, 198, 205

JB ambassador for 78

see also BAR-Honda

horsepower 55, 58, 100, 150, 151, 160, 259, 296, 298

Hülkenberg, Nico 239

Hungarian Grand Prix:

2006 125, 184–5

2009 210

2012 126

Hunt, James 49, 216

hydration 145, 194, 229, 230, 238, 240–1, 243–5, 246, 266

Imola circuit 98

IMSA 58

Indy Car 58, 119, 257–8

Indy 500 257

inside track 118

International Automobile Federation (FIA), see FIA

iRacing 170

irritating, being, pays dividends 120–1, 125

Irvine, Eddie 84, 85

Italian Grand Prix 191

Japanese Grand Prix 49, 55–7, 87, 89, 91, 143–4, 272, 325

Jenson Team Rocket RJN 58

Johnson, Jimmy 82

karting 26, 27, 29, 44–5, 54, 58, 95, 155, 163, 212, 228, 250–1, 257

kerb use 115, 126, 258

Kumpen, Sophie 27, 28, 250

La Rascasse 296

lactic acid 238

lap-time loss 113, 309–10

Lauda, Niki 49

Lazenby, Simon 321, 324

Le Mans 24-Hour Race 58, 164–5, 215, 257–74, 265–6, 294

learning, intense desire towards 29–30

Leclerc, Charles 292

left foot 109–10

Lemmens, Paul 250

‘local’ time 88–9

Los Angeles (LA) 3–5, 32, 41, 44, 54, 88–9, 91, 96, 200, 319

losing 202–8

low-speed corners 124

luck 39

luggage 88

lunch 241

Lyons, Simone (mother) 26, 202, 229, 311

McLaren 10, 15, 37, 38, 55, 71, 76, 127–8, 133, 139, 166, 168, 172, 190, 192, 198, 203, 205, 212, 217, 243, 277, 280, 284, 286, 288, 298

bosses 279

JB joins 78

nutrition 240

McQueen, Steve 259

Mad Max 48, 149, 151, 154

made-up rules 116

Magnussen, Kevin 29, 30, 117, 288

Malaysian Grand Prix 246, 293

Manchester United Treble Reunion 208

Mansell, Nigel 189

marginal gains 247–9

Mario Kart 33

marketing 37, 75, 78–9, 190 (see also sponsorship)

Massa, Felipe 190, 210–11, 239–40

mechanical grip 56, 122, 162–3, 175, 326

media attention 10, 42, 65, 66, 73, 75–9, 81, 108, 139, 140, 140–1, 197, 280–1, 287, 312, 323

melatonin 90

Melbourne circuit 72, 294, 295

mental attitude 44–7

menus 240–3

Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport 71, 72, 74, 78, 103, 126, 137, 161, 172, 176, 200, 203, 247, 259, 326–7

safety car 131–2

Messi, Lionel 69

Michelin 112, 179, 180, 183

Middle East 194

Mikey (physio) 16, 43–4, 225

Mint 400 153, 154

modulation 104–5, 110, 305

Monaco Grand Prix 13–22, 25, 83, 209, 294, 296–7, 308

2000 295

2003 210, 228

2009 67, 105, 186, 216

2017 11–12, 17, 18, 126

JB wins 202

special atmosphere 295

Super Mondays 68, 194, 216

money 64–71 (see also spending; sponsorship)

Montezemolo, Luca di 190

Montoya, Juan Pablo 132, 282

Montreal circuit 294–5

Monza circuit, see Autodromo Nazionale

Monza motion sickness 167

motorcycling 149

motorhomes 9, 12, 79–83, 176, 189, 325

Mount Panorama (Bathurst) circuit 78

moving on 317–19

mph 16, 127, 132, 134, 152, 154, 219, 258–60, 263, 270, 298

Mugen Motorsports 39, 56

NASA 245

NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) 58, 82, 119, 141

natural skill 27–9

nausea, how to treat effectively 230

neck musculature 236–7

negativity 41–3, 47, 82

nerve, holding of 48–9

nerves 220–1

nutrition, see diet

occupational hazards 230–1

Olympics 244

1000K GP 56

one–two scores 105, 137, 280, 285

open-wheeled 45

overalls 216–17

overdrive 114, 293

oversteer 18, 53, 112, 168, 177, 178, 183, 202, 219, 304, 308–9

overtaking rules 115–27

panic attacks 221–5

partying 64–8, 67, 202, 216, 237, 294–6

peak condition 235–47

pedals 102, 104, 110, 112, 165, 177, 231, 245, 305, 308

Pérez, Checo 287, 288

Pérez, Sergio 21

Petersen Automotive Museum 200–1

Petrov, Vitaly 262, 268, 272–3

photo shoots 211, 216, 249

physio 16, 230, 312

ping-pong 54

Pirelli 135, 179, 181, 183–4

Pit Stop Bollock Drop 134

pit stops 132, 133–42

planes 85–7

playboy lifestyle 63–8, 79–87, 250, 281

PlayStation 164–5

podium 9, 16, 42, 68, 119, 186, 192, 194–9, 216, 260, 262, 273, 282, 285, 289–90, 297–8, 318, 329

pole position 18, 98, 99, 105–6, 160, 303

Portakabin anecdote 267

positioning 127–31

post-breakfast 240–1

post-lunch 241

practice 309

practice pit stops 133–4

Premiership footballer 71, 72, 73, 120

private jets (‘PJs’) 85–7

Project Cars 2 170

Prost, Alain 46, 74, 252, 286

public relations (PR) 16, 76, 87, 211, 296 (see also Gough, Jules; Williamson, James)

qualifying 16, 17–18, 35–6, 99, 103–8 passim, 113–14, 136, 186, 210, 216, 262, 272, 290, 292, 296, 298, 303–11 passim, 322

race engineers 103, 142, 284

racecraft 95

racing line 114–15

Räikkönen, Kimi 71, 136, 194, 196, 203, 213, 291

rallying 45

reaction time 102, 235

rear end 104, 168, 308

rear slide 96, 123

Rebellion Racing 262, 273

Red Bull Racing 69, 72, 105, 125, 126, 134, 146, 174, 176, 185, 192, 203, 285

motorhome 325

Ricciardo leaves 212

Turkey (2010) 284

‘red-stop light’ rules 3

relaxation 43, 47, 80, 82, 91–2, 154, 221, 225, 236, 244, 246, 311, 325

Renault F1 74, 285

rFactor 2 170

Ricciardo, Daniel 66, 91, 209, 212, 285

right foot 109, 110

right-handers 20, 124

risk 107, 116–17, 119, 121, 136–7, 142, 181, 211, 219, 225–6, 228, 252, 282, 293–4, 319, 326

rivalry 282–3

Robbins, Tony 44

Rocket colour scheme 54

ROKiT Williams Racing, see Williams Racing

Rosberg, Nico 31, 81, 169, 286

rpm 101, 107, 269

‘rubbered in’, defined 307

rule changes 11, 130–1, 206, 261

run-offs 293

Russia 86, 217, 245

S-bend downforce 326

safety barriers 48, 308

safety cars 21, 131–3, 146, 192, 272–3

safety measures 48, 107, 128, 135, 136, 191, 197, 211, 227, 247, 257–8

Salo, Mika 82

San Marino Grand Prix 98

Sato, Takuma 198

Sauber Motorsport 19

Schumacher, Michael 68, 85, 99, 125, 126, 138, 184, 291

Scream anecdote 65

Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow, see Ferrari

self-belief 39–40

selfishness 30–2

Senna, Ayrton 26, 252, 258, 286

set-up 98, 166, 168, 170, 174, 175–8, 205, 253, 286

Shanghai International Circuit 19, 133, 221, 272

Silverstone 36, 65, 146, 185–6, 196, 298, 320

simulators 15, 33–4, 99, 128, 164–70, 174, 175, 177, 244, 261, 264, 309

single-seated 45

Sky 196

cycling team 247

JB’s career with 87, 160, 196, 320–7

sleep, importance of 90–1

slide 26, 96, 123, 124, 145, 168, 181, 182, 214, 218, 260

SMIDSY defence 192–3

SMP Racing 259, 262, 265

SNAFU 18

snapbacks 37, 209–10, 253

social media 68, 237, 291

South African Grand Prix 210

Spa circuit, see Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

Spanish Grand Prix 137, 322 (see also Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya)

special ‘Ferrari’ payment 206

spending 79–87, 174

spies/spying 140–1

sponsorship 10, 31, 36–8, 63, 69, 74–9, 144, 212–13, 217, 249, 279, 290, 303, 318 (see also marketing)

stability 123, 304

starts 98–106

Stig 291

stock-car racing, see NASCAR

strategy 19, 103–5, 132–7, 142–4, 182, 248, 284

Super Formula Championship 195

Super GT 45, 207–8

‘defined’ 55

downforce 56

F1 comparisons 121, 156, 194, 213

JB competes in 10, 55–8, 95, 121, 320

mechanical grip 162–3

Yamamoto wins 57

Super Mario Kart 164

Super Mondays 68, 194, 216

supplements 90, 242

support 40–4

suspension 9, 56, 166, 168, 175, 210, 223, 227, 258, 265, 272, 304

Sutil, Adrian 239

Suzuka International Racing Course (Suzuka Sākitto) 39, 55, 56, 138, 177, 192, 272, 283, 294, 298, 306–7

Tagström, Uffe 213

talkback 139–40, 210, 269

TARDIS 86

The A-Team 16

Team Kunimitsu 55, 56, 59

team owners 277–82

team player, disposition towards 33–6

team sports, importance of 33, 73

teammates 283–93

technical know-how 64

terrain 149–55

three-stop strategy 137

three-wheeler-car anecdote 53–4

throttle 101, 101–3, 104–5, 108, 109–10, 111, 113, 133, 160, 178, 182, 183, 202, 238, 245, 250–1, 305, 308

through-the-looking-glass moment 70

thumb placement 195

Tooned 15, 291

Top Gear 291

Toyota Racing 259, 260, 262, 271–2

Toyota Gazoo Racing 259

traction 126, 176, 286, 309

travel tips 87–91

triathlons 10, 11, 213, 220, 240, 242, 247, 312

tricky-conditions driving 96–7

trophies 192, 197–200, 329

Turkish Grand Prix 284

turn one 105–6

tyres 100–1, 103–4, 179–86, 273

‘under the radar’ approval 280

understanding your car 249

understeer 176, 202, 219, 250, 253, 286, 294, 303–4, 306

United States Grand Prix, see Austin Grand Prix

Vandoorne, Stoffel 17, 18, 19, 21

Velcro 216–17, 249, 264

Verstappen, Jos 27, 28, 250

Verstappen, Max 27–8, 48–9, 193–4, 218, 250, 285, 292, 321

Vettel, Sebastian 33, 69, 81, 105, 125, 126, 134, 185, 192–3, 216, 226, 282, 298, 321, 322

video games 33, 164

Vietnam Grand Prix 293

Villeneuve, Jacques 82, 84

visibility 127–31

Vodafone 78

voiceovers 15, 291

vortex 172

Wacky Races 149

Ward, Brittny (fiancée) 3, 4, 30, 95–6, 320, 328

first race attended by 227–8

JB meets 10

JB’s ‘comeback’ 11

and JB’s retirement 9

weather 142–4, 306–7

Webber, Mark 125, 237

Wehrlein, Pascal 19–21, 22

wet-conditions driving 96–7

Wheldon, Dan 257

Whitmarsh, Martin 277, 279

Williams, Frank 28, 281–2

Williams Racing 28, 64, 163, 210, 281–2

Williamson, James 16, 76, 296–7

Wilson, Justin 257

wind tunnel 74, 128, 173–5, 177

wings 170–2, 177

winning 189–202

World Championship 21, 28, 98, 121, 208, 288–9

Hamilton wins 69, 78

Hunt wins 49

JB dreams of winning 257

JB wins 41–2, 59, 67, 78, 298

Lewis wins 190

Mansell’s ‘not win’ 189

Massa’s ‘not win’ 190–1

Rosberg wins 31

Vettel wins 69, 192–3, 282–3, 298

World Endurance Championships 258, 271

yachts 83–5, 295

Yamamoto, Naoki 56, 57, 195

‘Yellow Submarine’ anecdote 295

Yokohama 180

YouTube 115, 126, 135, 154, 228

Y250 vortex 172