FOREWORD BY
SIR JACKIE STEWART OBE

It’s seldom in any business, sport or the world of entertainment, that sons become as successful as their fathers; but Paul-Henri Cahier has achieved this feat.

When I entered Formula One Grand Prix racing, Bernard Cahier was already one of the most globally recognised journalists and photographers in motorsport. As I write this foreword, Paul-Henri enjoys the same impressive presence and respect as an F1 photographer.

Bernard Cahier became more than a journalist and a photographer, even though he was hardly ever to be seen without a camera around his neck. He wrote for many of the top motorsport magazines in the world and beyond that, he had commercial relationships with companies such as Goodyear, in which he served at the highest level, including as President and Chairmen. Bernard’s presence in the sport is further noted by his advisory role on the ground-breaking film on Formula One, Grand Prix by John Frankenheimer. Bernard even featured in the film from time to time.

It was Bernard’s close relationship to many of the top drivers that stood him apart and produced such resonating photographs. One of whom was Baron de Graffenried, known to his friends as Toulo. It is amazing how serendipitous life can be. When I was driving F1 cars, Bernard took me to Toulo’s lovely chalet in Villars for lunch. To my absolute amazement, the great Juan Manuel Fangio was at the same table; what a great thrill for a young Grand Prix driver. Even more incredible, that same chalet today belongs to Paul Stewart, my eldest son.

A very important element of the Cahier family partnership was Joan, the wonderful wife of Bernard and mother of Paul-Henri. What a great combination they were and what a wonderful reality that Paul-Henri is today carrying on so successfully the same high skills that he has inherited from his father and mother.

In today’s world of photography, Paul-Henri isn’t as lucky as his father. I see Paul-Henri at almost every Grand Prix and he is absolutely laden down by huge cameras, extraordinary lenses and the backpack of support equipment required by today’s incredibly high standard of photography and definition – rather different to the early days of his art. The combination of two great photographers compiling a book that ranges so widely and demonstrates the immense change that Formula One and motorsport in general has undergone – transforming the look, the speed, the colour and the personality of the sport – is so well revealed in this excellent collection of wonderful photographs.

Formula One: The Pursuit of Speed gives an insight into the world of F1 which few might get to enjoy if it wasn’t for the talents of people like Paul-Henri Cahier, Maurice Hamilton and, of course, Bernard Cahier. Bernard was one of the true pioneers of the photographic journey and his and Paul-Henri’s work are the reason that we are able to celebrate the world of Formula One.