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Watching the Wheels: My Autobiography Hardcover – 8 Sept. 2016

by Damon Hill (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,877 ratings
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2016 marks the twentieth 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.

Away from the grid, Watching the Wheels: The Autobiography is an astonishingly candid account of what it was like to grow up as the son of one of the country's most famous racing drivers. It also tells the unflinching story of dealing with the grief and chaos that followed his father's tragically early death in an aircraft accident in 1975, when Damon was 15 years old.

Formula One drivers have always been aware of their mortality, and the rush that comes with the danger of racing was as intoxicating for Hill as it had been for his father's generation, until he came face-to-face with catastrophe when his team-mate, Ayrton Senna, was killed in 1994. The swirling emotions that Hill was faced with in light of the death of Senna was a defining moment for his generation of drivers and for the first time ever Hill talks candidly about the impact that Senna had on his life, even as he watched his own son step into motor racing.

Courageously honest, and hugely rewarding, Watching the Wheels is a return to the last golden era of F1 racing, whose image still burns ferociously for those who love the sport for what it reveals about human skill in the face or near certain death.

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  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Macmillan
  4. Publication date
    8 Sept. 2016
  5. Reading age
    18 years and up
  6. Dimensions
    16.2 x 3.5 x 24.2 cm
  7. ISBN-10
    1509831908
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1509831906
  9. See all details
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Product description

Review

The afterlife of this particular world champion has not always been easy, thanks to the fight against depression and a couple of unsatisfactory business ventures, but the upside includes a decision to resume the educational path he left almost 40 years ago . . . That may have encouraged him to tell a remarkable story in his own words, and to do so with eloquence, directness and insight. (Richard Williams Guardian) --Guardian

About the Author

Damon Hill is a former Formula One World Champion who raced against some of the legends of the sport from Ayrton Senna to Michael Schumacher. The son of racing legend Graham Hill, Damon entered Formula One in 1992, racing for Brabhams and then Williams and took over as team leader when Senna died in 1994. Having lost the 1994 World Championship to Schumacher by a single point, Hill was crowned World Champion in 1996. He is also the author of his autobiography, which was a Sunday Times number one bestseller.

After retiring in 1999, Hill pursued various business ventures as well as becoming president of the British Racing Driver's Club in 2006. He now works as a commentator on Sky Sports' award-winning coverage of Formula 1.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Macmillan; Main Market edition (8 Sept. 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1509831908
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1509831906
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 16.2 x 3.5 x 24.2 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,877 ratings

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Damon Hill

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,877 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the character traits interesting and self-deprecating. They also appreciate the political content as a pretty good insight into the mind of an enigmatic driver. Readers describe the reading experience as great and the content as surprising and honest. They praise the writing style as well-written, funny, and easy to read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Reading experiencePolitical contentContentWriting styleCharacter traitsStoryline
123 customers mention ‘Reading experience’123 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a great read, that becomes more fluid and fascinating as they read on. They also say it's perfectly laid out and well-thought out.

"...This excellent book is an amazing story of triumph, against the odds, over this tragedy and demonstrates that however long it might take you can..." Read more

"...anecdotes about his childhood, but it becomes more fluid and fascinating as you read on: The most revealing parts I found were Damon's account on..." Read more

"...since childhood; every single page is perfectly laid out and well-thought out...." Read more

"...Damon, well done on everything you've done in your life, the book is great, you deserve the title of being a former F1 World Champion; and good luck..." Read more

76 customers mention ‘Political content’76 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides an insight into the mind of an enigmatic driver striving to uphold the Hill. They also say it provides a true reflection of family life and is refreshingly grounded. Customers also say the book dispels myths about Damon's character and reveals behind the scenes politics that they were not aware of at the time.

"...A great guy, family man, brave, determined and deservedly successful, Mr Hill I salute you." Read more

"...for grammar/punctuation mistakes, but all-in-all this is a deeply fascinating - and at many times very witty - read. A splendid book." Read more

"...The book is a really really good read, great insights..." Read more

"...Don't give up!It's easy to recognise and empathise with the human element in this story...." Read more

32 customers mention ‘Content’28 positive4 negative

Customers find the content surprising and honest. They also say it's an honest account of Damon's life, warts and all.

"This is a great book. Interesting, enjoyable and honest...." Read more

"...I couldn't put this book down. It seems to be searingly honest and yes, is self-effacing, hugely thoughtful and engrossing...." Read more

"A refreshingly honest autobiography from Damon, with almost forensic like analysis of his own psyche which can't have been easy to pen...." Read more

"...Set against the back drop of those events the book is a fascinating, honest, insightful, warm and often light hearted tale of life's struggles which..." Read more

30 customers mention ‘Writing style’30 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style honest, refreshingly self-effacing, and clever. They also describe the author as very nice, funny, and an easy read.

"...but all-in-all this is a deeply fascinating - and at many times very witty - read. A splendid book." Read more

"...Now he has, and my goodness it was worth the wait. Excellent writing, structured brilliantly and no subject left off the table, Damon tells his..." Read more

"...The best motor racing autobiography since Niki Lauda's 'To Hell and Back.'..." Read more

"...Overall it is well written in an honest and refreshingly self-effacing way that draws you into the book as the ups and downs of his life are recalled..." Read more

24 customers mention ‘Character traits’24 positive0 negative

Customers find the character traits in the book fascinating, admirable, and honest. They also appreciate the passion, commitment, and honesty of the author.

"...not only gives us a complete and comprehensive life story but is totally honest and open about so much more, including very personal accounts of..." Read more

"A great insightful autobiography from a very honest world champion...." Read more

"...decent man and in this book he has been very frank and not afraid to admit his shortcomings...." Read more

"...Clearly written by Damon himself and very honest. He's not afraid to say it how it is...." Read more

14 customers mention ‘Storyline’14 positive0 negative

Customers find the storyline fascinating, engrossing, and gripping. They also say it keeps them hooked throughout.

"...Damon not only gives us a complete and comprehensive life story but is totally honest and open about so much more, including very personal accounts..." Read more

"...which is good seeing as he's done so much in his life - and keeps you hooked throughout...." Read more

"...aside this is more than a book about motor racing, it’s a fascinating journey through Hill’s psyche." Read more

"...I found this book fascinating, but as an F1 fan and someone who followed Damon's career, I guess I was keen to find out a bit more about him and his..." Read more

Really disappointed as I bought this for a gift
3 out of 5 stars

Really disappointed as I bought this for a gift

Really disappointed as I bought this for a gift. The dust jacket is really creased on top edge and looks unsightly, there is also a crease to the middle of the dust jacket, not sure I will be able to give it as a gift now, unless I do some explaining at the same time. Think with books in future I will purchase from a book store, where I can see what I'm getting.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

MickyD
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly inspirational
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 September 2019
Verified Purchase
This is a great book. Interesting, enjoyable and honest. Damon not only gives us a complete and comprehensive life story but is totally honest and open about so much more, including very personal accounts of depression and emotional baggage that he carried for so many years following the tragic death of his father in 1975 when Damon was just 15 years old and the subsequent legal and financial repercussions caused by reasons he explains with great candour. That he rose to become a Formula One world champion himself is an amazing and inspirational story. That he still had unresolved deeply emotional issues even during the heady years of his F1 career was very revealing but it is how he has dealt with these and through much grit, courage and determination effectively rescued his family, especially his mother, from the awful aftermath of his fathers accident. I am exactly the same age as Damon and met his father 2-3 times in 1975, one of which was to do an interview with him to the crowd at Brands Hatch and remember later seeing the sheer pressure in his face as he watched his team work on the Embassy Hill F1 car which really struck me, even as a 14 year old. I also remember like yesterday seeing the same TV newsflash as Damon on the evening of 29 November 1975 and reading Damon's memories was quite emotional even for me and this part of the book makes me only begin to understand just how catastrophic this awful night was to be for the family, for so long. Damon handles this difficult subject with honesty, sensitivity and emotion. This excellent book is an amazing story of triumph, against the odds, over this tragedy and demonstrates that however long it might take you can prevail. There is no ghost writer here, These are Damon's words and those who read his articles in a specialist F1 magazine already know what a fine writer he has, and everyone will see the same skills in this book. A great guy, family man, brave, determined and deservedly successful, Mr Hill I salute you.
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R. Ellis
4.0 out of 5 stars A witty and honest read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 October 2016
Verified Purchase
A great insightful autobiography from a very honest world champion. The start of the book is a little clunky, with various anecdotes about his childhood, but it becomes more fluid and fascinating as you read on: The most revealing parts I found were Damon's account on his father & the infamous plane crash in 1975 with its ensuing aftermath, along with his roller-coaster time in F1 - including the up-and-down work-relationship with Frank Williams and Patrick Head. Damon's thoughts on Senna, aswell as his conclusion's on the Brazilian's accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix are especially interesting. I have read many interviews with Damon in the press before this book was published, and so I thought I knew more than the average bear in regards to his Formula One career, but I was surprised to learn new insights as to how he lost his drive with Williams in 1996. The most startling revelation of all though was his own inner-personal battles following his motor racing career, this is recorded in the Introduction of the book. It needed a bit more proof reading for grammar/punctuation mistakes, but all-in-all this is a deeply fascinating - and at many times very witty - read. A splendid book.
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Craig Curtis
5.0 out of 5 stars 20 years in the making, but worth the wait!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 June 2017
Verified Purchase
I started watching F1 during the 1992 season when I was 9 years old. Watching Mansell and Senna go toe to toe around the streets of Monte Carlo gave me a buzz I hadn't experienced before and I was hooked, but I hadn't yet had a favourite driver as I hadn't watched enough of it. However, in 1993 Mansell had retired and was replaced by another Englishman by the name of Damon Hill. My F1 knowledge was literally non-existent, but I liked Damon's smooth driving style out on track and those white stripes on that dark blue helmet. So that was it. The Williams number '0' was now my favourite car and driver and the next seven years of my life would be filled with absolute joy and painful despair. I started buying everything related to Damon: books, model cars, videos, caps and even his famous 'eyes' T-shirt! Even though he had written his book on his 1996 Championship, I always wondered whether Damon would ever write his official autobiography. As time passed, I thought it would never happen. Now he has, and my goodness it was worth the wait. Excellent writing, structured brilliantly and no subject left off the table, Damon tells his story almost like a confession. Even by the halfway stage of the book, he hasn't got into F1 yet - that's how much of his early life he pours out on paper. The reasoning behind his getting into a racing car, his open admissions that he started out too late and was never a naturally-gifted driver (just like his dad), his battles with his demons which have festered since childhood; every single page is perfectly laid out and well-thought out. He doesn't dwell on things too much - which is good seeing as he's done so much in his life - and keeps you hooked throughout. I thought I knew everything there was on Damon Hill, but how wrong I was. I am now more of a fan than ever; even for the non-F1 person it's an astonishing read about a child who lost his famous father, and then did everything he could to match his achievements and to close a chapter that his dad had left open for over two decades. An absolutely brilliant book. 10/10
7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Kaushik
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for all F1 fans
Reviewed in India on 12 December 2019
Verified Purchase
One of my favourite drivers. Brings back some good f1 memories .. a really amazing insight into the mind of a champion driver. Awesome read!
One person found this helpful
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Igor
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for F1 and Williams fans
Reviewed in Germany on 15 October 2017
Verified Purchase
If you are Formula 1 fan or specifically Williams then this is book that you'll find interesting.

Damon is explaining his personal life and how that influenced his Formula 1 career. How he got there,
what where the challenges and what he had to face with. There is a lot of things about his
personal life and his family.

I have been Williams fan for more then 20 years and this was very interesting to read, to see how the things worked
on the inside of the Formula 1 world, what was happening behind the curtain. Plus value is added to the book that is
written personally from Damon Hill with help from Maurice Hamilton.
One person found this helpful
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Buckwheat
5.0 out of 5 stars Best F1 bio written to date
Reviewed in Canada on 6 January 2017
Verified Purchase
One of the best F1 biographies written to date. Very open and honest about his struggles with depression; learning more about his father's untimely death and his eldest sons Downs Syndrome, it is not a book about self pity or woe is me. He writes with a clarity equally found in Niki Lauda's books. The nice thing was that he doesn't openly character assassinate as did Mark Webber in his book, but he is respectful of others even if the relationship didn't go well. He comes across and very sensitive and caring which is the antithesis of an F1 driver. I had the chance to briefly meet Damon and his wife many years ago in Montreal when he started with Williams and he was a well mannered, respectful person.
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E. Woontner
5.0 out of 5 stars A dream come true for me
Reviewed in the United States on 29 December 2016
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Being a Damon Hill longtime fan, this book was a surprise and an absolute a joy to read. I remember most of the races and the sweet and sour events that dotted the racing career of this great champion, ethical sportsman, with a personality and interests that go way beyond his public image. On one side, he is son of his father, with all the need for speed, competence, and will to carry the Hill torch into another generation (his son Josh seemed interested in continuing, but he changed his mind.). For better and for worse, Damon's life has been marked by that sad day in November 1975 when Graham passed away in an air accident with his entire racing team. It is also very interesting to see many great names and characters very familiar to F1 lovers through his eyes - in many cases, the impression was mutual :)
On the other hand, Damon has been giving back thanks to his charity work that helps people better understand the needs and the lives of kids and adults with Down syndrome - his son, Oliver, lives a happy life thanks to a program promoted by his family and other great people.
But the book is also about Damon and his love for music, his dive into depression and his dissatisfaction with the racing world, eventually overcome by maturity and a good dose of detachment from the environment. Last, but not least, an amazing page where he describes what can only be called a peek into enlightenment. Well written and superbly researched, I'd love to thank Damon for this book and for being a real Champion on the racing track and in life.
3 people found this helpful
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giovanni canessa
5.0 out of 5 stars watching the wheels: my autobiography
Reviewed in Italy on 16 December 2016
Verified Purchase
Il libro mi è arrivato in ritardo, ma a causa delle poste italiane, ci vorrebbe il tracking, il venditore è sempre stato sollecito nelle risposte riguardo
l'ordine. Per quanto riguarda il libro, nonostante il mio inglese a livello scolastico l'ho trovato molto interessante. Soltanto Damon Hill, poteva
scrivere un libro così avendo vissuto la formula 1 dagli anni 60 tramite il papà Graham formidabile pilota e campione del mondo e aver
frequentato campioni del calibro di Jim Clark, Stewart e tanti altri. Un libro per appassionati di corse, andrebbe tradotto in tante lingue.
2 people found this helpful
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