Total Competition

Lessons in Strategy from Formula One

By: Ross Brawn, Adam Parr

Narrated by: Adam Parr, Peter Noble

'A must-have insight into the awe-inspiring career of a true motor racing great' Daily Express

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. In 2017, he was appointed F1's managing director, motor sports, by the sport's new owners Liberty Media. Now, in this fascinating book written with Adam Parr (who was CEO and then chairman of Williams for five years), he looks back over his career and methods to assess how he did it, and where occasionally he got things wrong.

Total Competition is a definitive portrait of modern motorsport. In the book, Brawn and Parr explore the unique pressures of Formula One, their battles with Bernie Ecclestone, and the cut-throat world they inhabited, where coming second is never good enough. This book will appeal not only to the millions of Formula One fans who want to understand how Brawn operates, it will also provide many lessons in how to achieve your own business goals.

Critic reviews

‘A fascinating insight’ (Giles Richards)

'It has widespread appeal as well as offering a unique insight into F1...this is a must-read.' (Edd Straw)

'Eccentric but brilliant...some theories from within could be applied to other professions and indeed personal lives.'

'Offers valuable lessons on how to succeed in pressurised environments and forge working relationships with difficult colleagues. And for those in love with the sport, it is a must-have insight into the awe-inspiring career of a true motor racing great.'

'Frank, fearless and original... I hung on every word' (Murray Walker)

'The closest thing there is to a certificable genius'

Definitely worth the credit.

A great conversation from two legends in F1. Love the insights. Wakes you to the realities of being in a F1 team.

Well done!!!

Total Competition is intelligent, insightful, and well written! This book takes you on a journey into motorsports and life! Ross Brawn is the Godfather of Formula1!!!

F1 Insider Info + Applicable Strategic Principles

Having only gotten into F1 in the last four years, I was excited to hear the experiences and the way great team principals operate. Ross and Adam not only deliver a behind the scenes look into the technical, economic and political strategies that make F1 go round, but also delve into how those strategies map to Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. Reflecting on their decades in the sport, Ross and Adam deliver lessons in history, business, engineering and politics that entertain and educate curious minds.

Excellent study into the complex world of F1.

Great performance and content. Changed much of my perspective on what I thought I knew. good lessons for approaching many challenges in technical management.

Intellectual and brilliant.

I have followed f1 all my life so that is why I bought the book. The lessons here go way beyond f1.