Get Your Free Audiobook
-
How Not to Be a Professional Racing Driver
- Narrated by: Jason Plato
- Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Sports
Non-member price: $39.50
People who bought this also bought...
-
How to Be an F1 Driver
- By: Jenson Button
- Narrated by: Jack Hawkins, Jenson Button
- Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In his 17 years as a Formula 1 driver, Jenson Button has picked up a thing or two about how to do the job properly. Sure, you need to be able to drive a car fast - and Jenson is on hand to pass on a few tricks of the trade here - but you also need to know the real rules for making it to the top. Like, how to tell a multiple F1 champion they need to check their blind spot. What the difference is between a helmet and a hat, and indeed a 'helmet-hat'. How to practise your champagne spray ahead of the big day.
-
-
Not as good as the other one
- By Vik on 27-06-2020
-
How to Build a Car
- By: Adrian Newey
- Narrated by: Richard Trinder
- Length: 12 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The world's foremost designer in Formula One, Adrian Newey OBE is arguably one of Britain's greatest engineers and this is his fascinating, powerful memoir. How to Build a Car explores the story of Adrian's unrivalled 35-year career in Formula One through the prism of the cars he has designed, the drivers he has worked alongside and the races in which he's been involved.
-
-
Great Book for F1 Fans
- By Vik on 08-01-2020
-
Watching the Wheels
- My Autobiography
- By: Damon Hill
- Narrated by: Paul Panting
- Length: 14 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The year 2016 marks the 20th anniversary of Damon Hill's coronation as Formula One world champion. For the first time ever, he tells the story of his journey through the last golden era of the sport, when he took on the greats, including Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, and emerged victorious as world champion in 1996, stepping out of the shadow of his legendary father, Graham Hill.
-
-
Thoroughly enjoyable, raw and emotional
- By Anonymous User on 09-10-2020
-
The Mechanic
- The Secret World of the F1 Pitlane
- By: Marc 'Elvis' Priestley
- Narrated by: Marc 'Elvis' Priestley
- Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Random House presents the audiobook edition of The Mechanic written and read by Marc 'Elvis' Priestley. In the high-octane atmosphere of the Formula One pit lane, the spotlight is most often on the superstar drivers. And yet, without the technical knowledge, competitive determination and outright obsession from his garage of mechanics, no driver could possibly hope to claim a spot on the podium.
-
-
Great story
- By Vik on 21-12-2019
-
To Hell and Back
- My Autobiography
- By: Niki Lauda
- Narrated by: Ryan Wichert, Kevin Eason
- Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Niki Lauda drove a car for sport, but crossed the line between life and death and fought back to even greater glory. Even people who know nothing of Formula One have heard of his crash at Nurburgring in 1976, when he was dragged from the inferno of his Ferrari so badly injured he was given the last rites. Within 33 days, he was racing again at Monza. His wounds bled; he had no eyelids. He was terrified. A year later, he reclaimed his World Championship title.
-
-
Exceptional
- By Anonymous User on 22-07-2020
-
Aussie Grit
- By: Mark Webber
- Narrated by: Nicholas Osmond
- Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the high-stakes world of Formula One, only the fastest make it to the top. Few know this better than Australian Formula One legend Mark Webber. His career in F1 stretched an incredible 12 years, saw him earn 42 podium finishes and triumph in nine races, including twice-winning the crown jewel of F1, the Monaco Grand Prix. But the road to the top of F1 racing is long and full of deadly twists and strange turns. In his long-awaited Autobiography, Webber tells the incredible true story of the small town pizza delivery boy who climbed the apex of the world's most dangerous sport.
-
-
Great Book
- By Looshbaby on 20-12-2020
-
How to Be an F1 Driver
- By: Jenson Button
- Narrated by: Jack Hawkins, Jenson Button
- Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In his 17 years as a Formula 1 driver, Jenson Button has picked up a thing or two about how to do the job properly. Sure, you need to be able to drive a car fast - and Jenson is on hand to pass on a few tricks of the trade here - but you also need to know the real rules for making it to the top. Like, how to tell a multiple F1 champion they need to check their blind spot. What the difference is between a helmet and a hat, and indeed a 'helmet-hat'. How to practise your champagne spray ahead of the big day.
-
-
Not as good as the other one
- By Vik on 27-06-2020
-
How to Build a Car
- By: Adrian Newey
- Narrated by: Richard Trinder
- Length: 12 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The world's foremost designer in Formula One, Adrian Newey OBE is arguably one of Britain's greatest engineers and this is his fascinating, powerful memoir. How to Build a Car explores the story of Adrian's unrivalled 35-year career in Formula One through the prism of the cars he has designed, the drivers he has worked alongside and the races in which he's been involved.
-
-
Great Book for F1 Fans
- By Vik on 08-01-2020
-
Watching the Wheels
- My Autobiography
- By: Damon Hill
- Narrated by: Paul Panting
- Length: 14 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The year 2016 marks the 20th anniversary of Damon Hill's coronation as Formula One world champion. For the first time ever, he tells the story of his journey through the last golden era of the sport, when he took on the greats, including Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, and emerged victorious as world champion in 1996, stepping out of the shadow of his legendary father, Graham Hill.
-
-
Thoroughly enjoyable, raw and emotional
- By Anonymous User on 09-10-2020
-
The Mechanic
- The Secret World of the F1 Pitlane
- By: Marc 'Elvis' Priestley
- Narrated by: Marc 'Elvis' Priestley
- Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Random House presents the audiobook edition of The Mechanic written and read by Marc 'Elvis' Priestley. In the high-octane atmosphere of the Formula One pit lane, the spotlight is most often on the superstar drivers. And yet, without the technical knowledge, competitive determination and outright obsession from his garage of mechanics, no driver could possibly hope to claim a spot on the podium.
-
-
Great story
- By Vik on 21-12-2019
-
To Hell and Back
- My Autobiography
- By: Niki Lauda
- Narrated by: Ryan Wichert, Kevin Eason
- Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Niki Lauda drove a car for sport, but crossed the line between life and death and fought back to even greater glory. Even people who know nothing of Formula One have heard of his crash at Nurburgring in 1976, when he was dragged from the inferno of his Ferrari so badly injured he was given the last rites. Within 33 days, he was racing again at Monza. His wounds bled; he had no eyelids. He was terrified. A year later, he reclaimed his World Championship title.
-
-
Exceptional
- By Anonymous User on 22-07-2020
-
Aussie Grit
- By: Mark Webber
- Narrated by: Nicholas Osmond
- Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the high-stakes world of Formula One, only the fastest make it to the top. Few know this better than Australian Formula One legend Mark Webber. His career in F1 stretched an incredible 12 years, saw him earn 42 podium finishes and triumph in nine races, including twice-winning the crown jewel of F1, the Monaco Grand Prix. But the road to the top of F1 racing is long and full of deadly twists and strange turns. In his long-awaited Autobiography, Webber tells the incredible true story of the small town pizza delivery boy who climbed the apex of the world's most dangerous sport.
-
-
Great Book
- By Looshbaby on 20-12-2020
-
Total Competition
- Lessons in Strategy from Formula One
- By: Ross Brawn, Adam Parr
- Narrated by: Adam Parr, Peter Noble
- Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Total Competition is the most compelling, comprehensive and revealing insight into what it takes to get to the top in Formula One that has ever been published. Across four decades, Ross Brawn was one of the most innovative and successful technical directors and then team principals in Formula One. Leading Benetton, Ferrari, Honda, Brawn and Mercedes, he worked with drivers such as Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton to make them world champions.
-
-
Extended Podcast Book
- By Vik on 22-03-2020
-
The Man in the White Suit
- The Stig, Le Mans, The Fast Lane and Me
- By: Ben Collins
- Narrated by: Ben Collins
- Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Stig gets his kit off and reveals how he came to be Top Gear's iconic racing driver and so much more - including what it's like to thrash an Aston Martin DBS, train for the Army and face the terror of Jeremy Clarkson's underwear…When the Black Stig disappeared off the end of an aircraft carrier in 2003, we were introduced to The White Stig. Faster. Stranger. Harder to keep clean. And ever since, millions have wondered – who is The Man in the White Suit? They're about to find out.
-
-
So disappointing
- By Anonymous User on 13-09-2018
-
And on That Bombshell
- Inside the Madness and Genius of TOP GEAR
- By: Richard Porter
- Narrated by: Richard Porter, Ben Elliot
- Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For 13 years, 22 series and 175 shows, Richard Porter was script editor of Top Gear, from the first faltering pilot episode in 2002 until the very last show presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May in 2015. Along the way they destroyed cars, sparked diplomatic incidents, set fire to caravans, almost killed one of the presenters, and somehow transformed Top Gear from a shabby BBC Two motoring show into an Emmy-winning, record-breaking, planet-straddling behemoth.
-
-
Fantastic insight into my favourite show.
- By Anonymous User on 04-12-2020
-
How to Drive
- By: Ben Collins
- Narrated by: Ben Collins
- Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Former Top Gear Stig Ben Collins shares expert skills and wisdom refined over a 20-year career as one of the best drivers in the world - from Le Mans Series racing to NASCAR, piloting the Batmobile and dodging bullets with James Bond. Ben's philosophy of anticipation, smoothness and speed, honed over thousands of hours of elite-level performance, is really about economy of motion - which also gives you greater control, safety and fuel efficiency. How to Drive is about driving better, not faster.
-
-
Mandatory Listening for people with a licence
- By Brikpilot on 23-10-2020
-
Niki Lauda
- The Biography
- By: Maurice Hamilton
- Narrated by: Andrew Wincott
- Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1975, Lauda became world champion for the first time. Driving for Ferrari, he looked to retain his title in 1976 and was dominating the campaign ahead of James Hunt in his McLaren. Then, on 1 August, he was involved in a horrendous crash at the Nurburgring and was badly burned; in hospital he was given the last rites, so severe were his injuries. Remarkably, six weeks later, he was back racing again, determined to show he could still compete.
-
-
Solid
- By Looshbaby on 20-05-2020
-
Jenson Button
- Life to the Limit
- By: Jenson Button
- Narrated by: Jack Hawkins
- Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The full-length, in-depth and intimate autobiography from Jenson Button, one of the greatest racing drivers of his generation. His 17 years in Formula One have seen him experience everything the sport has to offer, from nursing duff cars round the track to winning world championships and everything in between. Here, Jenson tells his full story for the first time in his own honest, intelligent and eloquent style.
-
-
JB sounds like a wonderful person
- By Vik on 08-01-2020
Publisher's Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
Two-time championship-winning and record-breaking racing driver Jason Plato is a living, breathing example of what you shouldn't do if you want to become a professional racing driver:
Do not:
- Almost kill Bernie Ecclestone
- Give Prince Charles the finger on the M42
- Choose fags and booze over the gym
- Steal a JCB in Monaco and end up in prison there - twice
- Make enemies with a 6' 6" rival who is a black belt in everything.
Since joining the Williams Touring Car team in 1997 it's no coincidence that he has had more race wins than Lewis Hamilton and Stirling Moss, competed in more races than Jenson Button and set the largest number of fastest laps ever. But it's also no coincidence that he once spent several days in prison in Monaco for stealing a JCB. He's a rule breaker who has had more than his fair share of near-death experiences, drunken escapades and more. Yet he's still racing.
There is nothing sensible, predictable or considered about Jason, but this is how he became a racing legend.
What listeners say about How Not to Be a Professional Racing Driver
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 31-07-2020
What can I say, I loved it.
Firstly, I must say having Jason read the book added to the experience, as he was telling his own stories you could hear the expression in his voice. It was a balls n all & at times cheeky tell all, filled with much comedy, and good hard racing stories. This book would appeal to any fan of Motorsport.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Looshbaby
- 01-10-2019
An absolute hoot.
Tastefully irreverent, hilarious from start to finish. One of the best motor racing biographies put out there.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Matt Chapman
- 31-01-2020
If you love racing and a good laugh
Admittedly, I did not know who Jason Plato was before downloading this book. I've never seen an episode of Fifth Gear and the British Touring Car series doesn't get any coverage stateside. I was headed to the Rolex 24 race in Daytona and wanted to get myself in the racing mood, so to speak. The reviews (which turned out to be true) pushed me over the edge. This audiobook is delightfully entertaining. Jason's delivery is spot on, and he knows how to keep his audience engaged throughout. From party tricks with Michael Schumacher to run-ins with the Monaco police, there are many memorable stories that had me rolling on the floor laughing. 5/5 and don't tell me otherwise.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- 匿名
- 16-01-2020
excellent story, from the beginning to the end
absolutely great stuff, excellent story, have since listened to it three times so far...what a life , cheers mate..💯🇬🇧😁
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- B. Wenners
- 09-12-2019
Wish it was longer
I'm already a racing fan. Knew the name but don't get to see JP here in the states much (damn TV). Loved the stories! And I also feel I know more British "slang" (no, it's not a foreign language JP is speaking) and general words. I came away from this book wanting more JP.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- MsLadyAlice
- 10-11-2019
worth the listen for sure!
Love this book and even better being read my Plato himself! For anyone into racing this is a must
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Pavlo
- 20-09-2019
The funniest book about racing out there.
I had a lot of laughs listening to it, especially since it’s read by JP himself. Plato is an absolute legend on and, as I just learned, off track as well. What a trooper of a driver, drinker, and story teller. I was a big fan of him as a driver before, now I am just a fan of him. Legend.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Scott Woodwiss
- 19-09-2019
Brilliantly entertaining and funny!
I've been looking forward to this book, and boy was it worth the wait. I've always been a fan of Jason and his book was everything it set out to be. Some great anecdotes, facts I never knew and some incredibly funny moments. Have to say it's one of the only audiobooks I've laughed out loud at. His impressions of Frank Williams, Colin McRae and others are hilarious and I've already finished the entire book in one day. Definitely won't be the first time I listen to it. Bravo, Mr Plato! 😂👍🏁
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- bdr
- 08-05-2020
Best book I have listened to
Great stories and funny throughout. Narration kept you interested. Listened to a number of books this is my favourite
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 26-04-2020
A proper good giggle
Been a fan of JP since I was a kid and when I heard he was working on a book I was really excited and waited eagerly for its release. I was not disappointed and absolutely loved his outrageously hilarious stories both before and during his racing career.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- The i-MC
- 17-11-2019
'PL-J'
First off; I have a confession to make: I shared some quality time with this boy - secondly I am also good friends with his nemesis Matt-y Neal, but this is a brilliant story - and fantastically well told. Especially if you know 'PL-J'. The man has an incredible energy, and I'm always glad to see him. We worked together for years, such funny times. Racing was a common thread that bound all of us together - and I wouldn't have missed it for anything. He made his dreams come true through talent and sheer 'suss' - is one of the finest hustlers the sport has ever seen, and is great, irreverent company. It's an epic story, and it's still being written. This is Plate-Job: I'm in my car, 1.30AM in the morning, heading from Silverstone to Exeter, long way, dead tired. I get a phone call on my mobile hands-free. At 1.30AM ... ? I play in a covers band. The caller doesn't know I'm on the road; I could be in bed. It's a slightly geordie-sounding 'Simon Cowell', apparently he wants to book me for 'Pop Idol'? We have a hysterical half hour conversation. Only Jason Plato. I love the man. Read the book. It's the real deal - and so is he #hardcoreracer
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Tony Turner
- 29-12-2020
What a book!
What a book, what a life, what a man. For myself grinning all the way through. Excellent can’t recommend it enough. Thank you Jason.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Dh1991
- 27-12-2020
Great read from a fantastic driver
As one of my lesser liked drivers, I bought intrigued to hear Jason's story. I really enjoyed it, the stories were great and a nice insight into what it takes to be a racing driver.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- A. Goodwin
- 07-12-2020
Great stories and narration.
Good insight into Jason's history - racing and otherwise - with some laugh out loud moments that made me wake my wife up! Being a presenter, Jason is naturally a great narrator and does a great Sir Frank...
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mr Richard Ashley-Davies
- 23-11-2020
Brilliant, entertaining, more please Jason!
I can't fault this book in any way. Written and read by the author himself, it stands out as a crowd pleaser. Very entertaining stories and tales, a wonderful insight into Jason's career and how he's managed to achieve what he has... with amusing anecdotes at every turn. Excellent!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kieran Hensby
- 04-11-2020
"A must read for any racing fan"
Having grown up watching touring cars&fifth gear, this book was a no brainer. It has the perfect blend of what happens behind the scenes when racing, amazing stories and tremendous humour throughout. I've been listening to JP tell me about his life while commuting to work&back, and his care free philosophy to life combined with outrageous antics do not dissappoint, I'm just gutted it's over. I can't recommend highly enough, thouroughly enjoyed it.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Paul layden
- 03-11-2020
Great and very entertaining well read !
loved it great narration an interesting insight in Jason's career highly recommended definitely worth buying and listening to
16 Best Audiobooks by Aboriginal Authors
Across genres, there’s no shortage of brilliant titles from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers of Australia.



25 Best Celebrity Audiobooks
It’s always a pleasant surprise to pick up a familiar story and find an unexpected famous friend in the narrator’s booth.



Best Audiobooks of 2020
We've crunched the numbers, heard from our listeners and gotten expert opinions to round up the best listens of 2020.


