Grand Prix Guide: Pioneering Statistics in F1

Former Formula 1 commentator Jacques Deschenaux is the author of the Grand Prix Guide, a reference book for automotive professionals that compiles statistics from every season since the sport's inception.

When the lights go out at a Grand Prix, most fans see the flash of speed, but behind the scenes, a thick pocket-sized bible quietly shapes the commentary we hear on television. Jacques Deschenaux, a former F1 commentator, has turned this hidden tool into an annual publication that has become indispensable for broadcasters, journalists, and even sponsors. Jacques Deschenaux's idea was born in Le Castellet during the French Grand Prix, when Philip Morris, owner of the Marlboro brand, asked him for his opinion on the company's statistical reports. “It was enough for the Nice-Matin press, but professionals needed more,” he recalls. This conversation led him to draw inspiration from a ski season guide he had used in the past, which compiled all the results and statistics from the previous year. “I proposed a similar concept for Formula 1,” he explains. The first Marlboro Grand Prix Guide, covering the years 1950 to 1979, was released in 1980, long before the internet made data easily accessible. Compiling the guide was a monumental task. With no online archives, Mr. Deschenaux had to seek information from the FIA and other rare sources. The result is a 1,750-page volume that, despite its pocket-sized format, is now almost as wide as it is tall. Each of the more than 1,100 Grand Prix races has its own section, listing the race distance, number of laps, winners, front row qualifiers, and top six finishers, among other details. Separate chapters cover drivers, manufacturers, and engine builders, offering quick reference sheets on careers such as that of Richie Ginther in the 1960s. The book also groups statistics by theme (consecutive podium finishes, engine failure streaks, and other similar records), making it an indispensable resource for commentators who need information at a moment's notice.

The guide's influence extends beyond commentary. Last year in Bahrain, a Sky Sports UK commentator asked Mr. Deschenaux when the new edition would be published, underscoring the publication's status as the definitive source of accurate F1 data. Orders are taken directly on Mr. Deschenaux's website at the start of each season, and the book is printed in several languages.However, the future of the guide is uncertain. Rolex is the main sponsor, but its contract with Liberty Media is up for renewal and the brand is currently in talks with LVMH for a new partnership. “If another sponsor comes forward, I will continue the project,” said Mr. Deschenaux, stressing that the 2025 edition remains uncertain until funding is secured.