Bonnier bags books from Button and Woffinden in motor sport double

Bonnier Books UK has scooped books by Formula One star Jenson Button and speedway world champion Tai Woffinden in a sporting double.

Matt Phillips, publishing director for non-fiction, acquired world all language rights from David Luxton Associates for How To Be An F1 Driver from Button. The book will be released in hardback on 19th October under the Blink Publishing imprint.

The book will take readers behind the wheel of an F1 car revealing what goes on behind the scenes. “The people, the places, the weird rituals, the motorhomes, the media, the cars, the perks and the disasters, this is the perfect book for any petrol-head and F1 fans,” its synopsis states.

It is Button’s second title with Bonnier Books UK after his 2017 autobiography Life To The Limit, which was shortlisted for the 2017 Sports Book Awards. It racked up UK hardback sales of 111,448 copies and another 22,966 copies in paperback through Nielsen, outselling every book in the 2017 sports category.

He said: “I'm delighted to be teaming up with Bonnier Books UK again. Putting Life to the Limit together was an amazing experience and I'm excited to be embarking on a new challenge by putting the reader in the paddock, behind the wheel and behind the scenes of the show that never ends which is Formula One.”

Phillips added: “Jenson’s second book takes us into the paddock, unlocks the doors of the motorhomes, and seats us on top of these 1,000 horsepower machines. It is packed full of exclusive insights and unknown stories and never-before heard anecdotes, making it appealing to F1 fans and the perfect gift at Christmas. It’s a joy to work with JB and his team again in what feels like a natural succession to Life To The Limit.”

In a separate deal, Toby Buchan, executive editor at Bonnier Books UK, acquired world all-language rights for Raw Speed by Woffinden. The official autobiography, written with journalist Peter Oakes, will be released in hardback on 19th September under the John Blake Publishing imprint.

Woffinden is a triple speedway world champion, becoming the youngest ever at the age of 23, and captain of the Great Britain team.

He said: “I recently broke my neck in a crash in the race in Poland and while recuperating I’ve been putting the final touches to my book, which is a true reflection on my life and career. My story should grab the attention of anyone interested in speedway, motorsports and the life of a sportsman. I am excited that Raw Speed is to be published by Bonnier Books UK.”

Buchan said: “Anyone who has never been to a speedway race has missed one of life’s great spectacles. And no one conveys the noise, speed, colour, drama, skill, courage and danger better than Tai - a highly articulate ambassador for a sport that makes F1 look like a gentle tour around a supermarket car park.”