F1 writer's journey from 'fake' reports to new book

Nate Saunders (left) laughs while holding up a microphone. Mercedes F1 driver George Russell (right) also laughs while holding a microphone. — Saunders said it felt like a "special time" to be covering the sport, with races becoming closer between the teams [NATE SAUNDERS]

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.

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."

Nate Saunders smiles while holding a book with the title 'Forza Ferrari'. He appears to be standing in a pub or restaurant, with an emerald green painted wall behind him. — Nate Saunders spoke to key figures for the book, including F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali [NATE SAUNDERS]

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.

Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari branded red shirt, with various other sponsors and branding on the t-shirt. He is smiling and wearing a beaded necklace. — Nate Saunders says Ferrari stand a chance of winning the drivers' championship with Lewis Hamilton at the wheel [PA Media]

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".

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