After three lengthy months of break, the first race of the 2026 Formula One season is almost here! But with two new teams, different regulations, and shifting driver lineups, fans can expect several changes to the sport they know and love.
From year to year, the one part of Formula One that stays constant is its popularity in fiction novels. Books set in the intense world of racing are a great way to stay connected in between seasons, especially for readers who love exhilarating, high-stakes stories.
So whether you’re an avid fan or completely new to Formula One, these five books are sure to get you prepared for the first race in March!
Downforce by Hannah Lily
Downforce is a sports romance following Jonah Scott, a driver trying to live up to his family’s racing legacy, and Olivia Fraser, a reporter who’s determined to prove herself in the male-dominated world of Formula One. When the pair publicly clash one too many times, they must repair their images via a road trip across Europe. On the way, they discover that they may have more in common—and more chemistry—than they originally thought.
Jonah’s character will resonate with fans of McLaren driver Lando Norris. After years of racing for their respective teams, both drivers faced immense performance pressure from the media and fans alike. However, Norris’s long journey to becoming World Champion finally culminated in a much-anticipated win last season. For every Formula One fan who supported him, Jonah’s attempts to overcome his own critics will be just as emotionally gratifying.
The book also boasts a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers storyline that will have every romance lover swooning. Set against Europe’s picturesque atmosphere, Jonah and Olivia’s blossoming relationship will engage readers from the very beginning. Even if you aren’t familiar with Formula One, you will adore every witty, heartfelt moment this story offers.
Chasing Daisy by Paige Toon
Chasing Daisy is a classic Formula One championship story that follows Daisy Rogers, a catering assistant, as she joins the world of racing. Along the way, she meets teammates Will and Luis, who are fierce rivals in the championship fight. As the season progresses, Daisy and her newfound companions must contend with tense relationships, complicated love stories, and heartbreaking tragedy.
Ferrari fans will absolutely adore Will. His wholehearted dedication to the sport perfectly mirrors that of Charles Leclerc and recent teammate Lewis Hamilton. A Ferrari driver since 2019, Leclerc has yet to win a championship, but he has remained steadfastly loyal to his team. Seven-time World Champion Hamilton struggled last year with his move from Mercedes to Ferrari and has expressed a similar resolve to win again in a Ferrari.
You definitely don’t have to be a Formula One fan to fall in love with this book. Daisy’s mysterious past will immediately pique your interest, and each character’s complexity will leave you wanting to know more. From beginning to end, every chapter of Chasing Daisy is filled with more than enough drama, excitement, and adventure to keep you hooked.
Offtrack by Esha Patel
Offtrack follows the Formula One rookie season of Diana Zahrani, the first female driver in decades. Every race, she must navigate an intense on-track relationship with fellow driver and championship favorite Miguel de la Fuente. But off-track, the pair discovers a completely different side to their relationship. As the season progresses, they realize they’ll have to choose between their careers and their blossoming feelings for each other.
Miguel’s hyper-focus on racing—and winning—is reminiscent of Red-bull driver Max Verstappen’s early Formula One career. Prior to his first World Championship win, Verstappen was notorious for his aggressive driving style and controversial, uncompromising maneuvers. For fans who remember the era of “Mad Max” fondly, Miguel will provide a nostalgically familiar determination.
This book was made for readers who love strong female main characters. As a woman in a male-dominated sport, Diana faces realistic criticism and must constantly work to prove herself. Patel also includes often-unspoken concepts like internalized misogyny, a choice that makes the book an incredibly emotional story. Readers can’t help but root both for Diana’s success and for her happy ending.
Crash Test by Amy James
Crash Test is the story of Travis Keeping, a Formula One driver who is well on his way to winning a World Championship. But in the middle of the season, a crash occurs in a lower racing division, leaving driver Jacob Nichols with serious injuries. And what Travis’s team doesn’t know is that he’s been dating Jacob for a year, despite the risks their relationship poses to their careers. So when Travis’s performance begins to slip, he must figure out how to keep racing when the man he loves is alone and hurting on the other side of the world.
Any Formula One lover who tuned into the 2025 season will find Travis’s story incredibly familiar. McLaren driver Oscar Piastri spent the first half of the year racking up championship points and quickly established a comfortable lead. Yet, in later races, Piastri hit a huge and seemingly unexplainable slump, eventually finishing third in the championship. For every fan still lamenting last year’s results, Travis’s story will provide another opportunity for a much-needed comeback.
The book also offers a heartfelt found-family trope that readers will adore. Travis moves from a virtually non-existent social life to a loving friend group, and his journey to self-discovery will tug at readers’ heartstrings. Through every celebratory, heartbreaking, and anger-filled moment, you’ll be rooting for a happy ending for Travis and Jacob alike.
Slipstream by Madge Maril
Slipstream is a sports romance centered around Lilah Graywood, a documentarian unwillingly thrust into the world of Formula One by her now ex-boyfriend. While spending her summer trackside, Lilah meets Arthur Bianco, a charismatic reserve driver with dreams of winning a championship. Soon, the pair forms a mutually beneficial alliance to help Lilah secure revenge and to support Arthur’s struggling career. But as their relationship develops off-track, both Lilah and Arthur will have to face the chemistry they’ve been trying so hard to deny.
Arthur’s career is very reminiscent of former driver Daniel Ricciardo’s, who remains a fan favorite even after retirement. Like Arthur, the Australian driver had a tumultuous and often uncertain career, especially after he left Red-Bull in 2018. For every Formula One fan still mourning the loss of Ricciardo’s irreplaceably cheerful presence, Arthur’s racing comeback will provide a fresh opportunity for redemption.
This book also boasts a slow-burn, fake-dating storyline that romance lovers will relish. Even if you don’t follow Formula One, you’ll love the book’s seamless blend of humor and sentiment.
Ready, set, read!
Hopefully, one of these books will draw you into the exhilarating world of Formula One!
Although books and racing don’t seem very compatible, novels set on the track enable casual engagement with Formula One. The stories can be enjoyed by everyone, whether you’re a diehard fan or a novice in the Formula One world!
And if you’re looking for more book recommendations, there are countless promising new releases in 2026 to look out for!
So get ready, buckle up, and enjoy some amazing books!
