Racing Green

Racing Green is the story of how motorsport science has become smarter and more environmentally friendly, and how these developments on the track are changing the world.

Motor racing is the most scientifically demanding sport in the world: a combination of peak physical and mental skill, world-class mechanical nous, and technological innovation. Ideas first pioneered during races—such as ABS brakes and crash helmets—have been incorporated into car designs globally to improve racing safety. Additionally, cleaner technologies first trialled and refined in modern racing are influencing the designs of everyday vehicles, such as better electric cars and more efficient fuels and tyres.

Racing Green chronicles how motorsport science has transformed the world, facilitating smarter and more environmentally friendly advances. From the radical safety improvements of the 1970s to innovations like the lithium-ion battery, this book delves into the science that has transitioned from racing to the road. It examines the history of motor racing, celebrating its glories and acknowledging its tragedies, illustrating how these pivotal moments have led to significant modern advancements in car design. It also explores how motor racing is at the forefront of modern engineering, as well as human psychology and physiology, both vital in creating a winning car and driver.

Author Kit Chapman, a lifelong motorsports enthusiast, has collaborated with Virgin Racing’s Formula E team to investigate the chemistry and material science of their racing cars. Leveraging his extensive network of industry contacts, he provides an insider's view of current breakthroughs, projecting where motorsport might lead us in the future. Among the extraordinary tales, he highlights the maverick designer Warren Mosler, who created a car so fast it was prohibited from racing.

Racing Green is a blend of travelogue and historical retrospective, combining visits to experts and scientific discussions with gripping accounts of real-life incidents that mark milestones in the evolution of modern cars.