Saturday 14th September 2024

DEREK WARWICK: Never look back - The racing life of Britain’s double World Champion   Book review by Peter Baker

Derek Warwick and Derek Bell have a lot in common, both proved great long distance ‘sloggers’, with multiple appearances at Le Mans and both becoming World Sportscar Champions, Warwick in 1992 just one year after his younger brother, Paul, died at Oulton Park. And, both almost made it in F1, although Warwick was clearly more dedicated than Bell, becoming a full-time driver for six teams between 1981 and 1993, starting 147 races and scoring a total 71 championship points (Bell scored just one point). Sadly, although he appeared on the podium four times he never won outright.

Derek Warwick’s outstanding ability was formally recognised, when the BRDC appointed him President between 2011 and 2017. Derek now lives in Jersey running a successful Honda dealership.

I picked up this book with a certain amount of disinterest, just another race driver I’m thinking, hoping to make some extra pocket money. But, that the co-author was David Tremayne and Jean Todt had provided the foreword made me curious. And having now read all 384 pages my opinion hasn’t really changed. Except, and actually, this is a really good read and a thoroughly enjoyable open account of Derek Warwick’s progress through that era of motor racing during the eighties and nineties, before the likes of Mansell, Murray, James and Schumacher disappeared, cars got safer and less noisy and, for me, the sport changed forever.

After you read this book, like me, you’ll finish up wanting to be friends with Derek Warwick because he really is a nice bloke, which is probably why he wrote it in the first place, and has little to do with his need to earn some extra pocket money. Buy this book and I guarantee you’ll feel the same. Recommended

DEREK WARWICK: Never look back - The racing life of Britain’s double World Champion
Written by Derek Warwick with David Tremayne
ISBN 978-1-910505-90-8
Published by Evro Publishing
Price £60.00