F1 writer's journey from 'fake' reports to new book
A Formula 1 journalist who admits to once writing fictional match reports as a child has released a new book.
Nate Saunders, from Colchester, has been flying out to races across the world for ESPN since 2015, rubbing shoulders with the sport's biggest names.
His book - Forza Ferrari: How F1's Most Famous Team Can Win Again - questions whether the Italian outfit can return to the winning podium.
The 35-year-old said he had a "new-found appreciation" for what it took to write a book.
He has had his microphone ready in Melbourne this weekend, where the chequered flag has signalled the start of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
- Norris beats Verstappen in dramatic Australia opener
- 'Copybook victory as Norris and McLaren come through chaos unscathed'
- Hamilton's first Ferrari race 'a big crash course'
Saunders told BBC Essex: "I was never great at sports but I loved writing about them, so I always wrote these match reports when I was young - they were fake match reports - about England winning the World Cup or Ferrari winning the championship.
"I was always the hero that was winning in them, which looking back now, looks quite big-headed obviously."
Saunders was sports editor at his university paper in Reading, before working freelance and then joining ESPN in 2014.
He has since built up a rapport with key figures across the paddock, receiving praise for his writing from former Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo and ex-Haas team principal Guenther Steiner.
Saunders said he hoped Forza Ferrari would provide unique insight for diehard fans, and an overview of the team's history for anyone new to the sport.
Ferrari has not won the drivers' championship since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007, and before that, Michael Schumacher.
"[The book] dives into the story of the modern team; some of the missed opportunities," he said.
He said the writing process took place on "a lot of cramped, dingy flights" and admitted he "spent a lot more of Christmas" working on it than he should have.
With Lewis Hamilton having joined the Maranello team for this season, Saunders said this championship "feels so much bigger".
Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
- 'No Hamilton fairytale as Norris and McLaren deliver on potential'
- Norris takes Melbourne pole with Hamilton eighth
- 'Bearman already marked out as potentially a special one'
-
The Book Report: Washington Post critic Ron Charles (March 9)
The "Sunday Morning" book reviewer offers his picks for the best new titles among fiction and non-fiction releases.CBS News - Mar. 9 -
F1 swearing ban: Why can’t drivers swear over team radio and will they be suspended from races?
The controversial new rules have irked a number of drivers after Max Verstappen’s penalty last yearYahoo Sports - 14h -
Annual report reveals most polluted cities around the world
The countries with the worst air quality included Bangladesh and India, according to an annual report from IQAir.CBS News - 5d -
New restrictions on helicopters near DC following midair collision
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced changes to air space rules around Washington’s DCA airport following a preliminary report from the NTSB on the midair collision over the Potomac ...NBC News - 4d -
Motorsports Isn’t Just a Man’s World Anymore
Driving history is littered with sons of famous fathers following in dad’s footsteps. Now F1 Academy driver Lia Block is making a name for herself.The New York Times - Mar. 9 -
Reporter Notebook: What does curiosity sound like?
Science fiction writer Isaac Asimov said, "The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' but 'That's funny...'" John Dickerson explains how ...CBS News - 5d -
Ducks, once a conservation bright spot, are now declining in the US, new report shows
A new report says at least 112 North American bird species have lost more than half their populations in the past 50 yearsABC News - 3d -
‘A computer’s joke, on us’: writers respond to the short story written by AI
Sam Altman, the OpenAI boss, has declared its new model ‘good at creative writing’. We asked writers including Tracy Chevalier, Kamila Shamsie and David Baddiel if they agree. This week has seen ...The Guardian - 2d -
From sleeping in doorways to reporting on homelessness: the journalist chronicling an American crisis
Kevin Fagan, who spent decades at the San Francisco Chronicle, argues in a new book that ‘atrociously unforgivable’ US poverty must be addressed. The veteran journalist Kevin Fagan spent decades ...The Guardian - 3d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Nets vs. Hawks betting preview: Prediction, point spread, odds
Here is the betting preview of the Brooklyn Nets' matchup against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Running back Ronnie Rivers, defensive lineman Larrell Murchison returning to Rams on 1-year deals
Running back Ronnie Rivers and defensive lineman Larrell Murchison have agreed to one-year contracts to return to the Los Angeles Rams, the team announced Sunday. Rivers has played in 34 games ...Yahoo Sports - 14m -
UFC Fight Night 254 video: Every finish from Las Vegas, including multiple history-makers
UFC Fight Night 254 on Saturday was one of the most unheralded events of the year so far going in. There are metrics that are easy to see publicly, and ones that are behind the scenes, that made ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Arsenal squeeze past Chelsea’s £220m midfield of malice in bad-tempered derby
There were times when this felt more like a fouling contest than a football match. A day for petty squabbling rather than pretty passing. In the end, then, it was probably fair that the team that ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Matt Richtman is 1st American man to win Los Angeles Marathon in 31 years
Yahoo Sports - 16m
More in Sports
-
Hanshin Tigers sweep Cubs, Dodgers in shutouts
The Hanshin Tigers capped a two-game sweep over MLB clubs with a 3-0 win over the Dodgers, following a matching victory over the Cubs the day before.ESPN - 7m -
Memphis vs. UAB prediction, odds, start time: 2025 AAC Tournament championship picks from proven model
SportsLine's model simulated UAB vs. Memphis in the 2025 AAC Tournament championship matchup on Sunday 10,000 timesCBS Sports - 9m -
Joey Gallo teases transition to pitching after being released by White Sox: 'It's been fun, outfield'
Gallo was a two-time All-Star as a sluggerCBS Sports - 10m -
Lakers vs. Suns odds, line, prediction, start time: 2025 NBA picks, March 16 best bets from proven model
SportsLine's model simulated Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers 10,000 times and revealed its NBA picks for SundayCBS Sports - 12m -
2025 MLB Opening Day starter tracker: Paul Skenes gets call for Pirates, Astros go with Framber Valdez again
The regular season is almost upon us and managers are getting their ducks (and rotations) in a rowCBS Sports - 13m