Blog readers will know that during race weekends there tend to be fewer posts after qualifying is over. This is because I am busy working on a product called GrandPrix+. This is an electronic magazine that one gets in PDF format on one’s own computer, between three and six hours after the race. It is around 80 pages and is filled with great photography which is maximised because GP+ uses a landscape format (which fits a computer screen), rather than the portrait (upright) page style that one sees in most racing magazines. We have a full race and qualifying reports, written by experienced F1 writers who are at all the races. If you add up the experience of the four major contributors you get to the rather terrifying figure of around 1,800 Grands Prix.
For the serious fans we have some amazing data available, so that those who really want to understand what happened can analyse the race at home that very evening.
We also have a range of features which cover not only the modern personalities and news stories, but also historical stories, technical features, and even occasional non-F1 stories (which is what the + is GrandPrix+ really stands for).
All you have to do is to log-in on a Sunday night and you can download the magazine. You can even set things up so that you get a reminder when the magazine is ready.
It is a bargain too, because you can get all of this year’s magazines and the entire 2011 season as well, for the grand total of just £29.99. This means you get 45 magazines (previews and reviews included) in total, and you can buy previous seasons as well at very reasonable prices. It means that you can have an entire library of F1 events since 2007 in your computer, wherever you happen to be in the world. Subscriptions run for each calendar year.
For more information about this prize-winning product, why not go to www.grandprixplus.com and take a look.
Also the only magazine with entertainingly obscure references in qualifying and race reports – for example, from the Valencia race report – Buffalo Girls.
Ah yes, the verb “To Buffalo Girl” means to go around the outside… Just as “To Zonta” means to be have two people (or cars) pass on either side of you at the same time, as in “Oh my, I’ve just been zonta-ed!”
Joe, you might attract a younger audience for your magazine if you switched ‘Buffalo Girl’ with ‘Trailer Park Girl’, as both seem to go ’round the outside. But then I don’t assume that you’re a fan of Marshall Mathers AKA The Real Slim Shady. Keep up the good work.
> “Oh my, I’ve just been zonta-ed!”
Wonderful!
Highly recommended!
Hm, that screenshot fired up my interest (i.e. it served its purpose
), so I’m heading over to the site to look at the subscription offers.
Generally, what’s really missing in the F1 world is, if you are an avid fan, just like me, following the sport since 1988, there’s very little to surprise you = nothing that can make you buy either magazine or any type of paid publication.
You always want more, for example, different view on certain topic, some technical insights, good photo – something that others can’t offer – not just yet-another-interpretation of the facts.
So, the tires info and pit stop times is very useful piece of information, congratulations.
A good read and great photos as well. Certainly recommended, although Joe there were a few typos in the last issue. Speed versus complete accuracy I guess, but it’s only a small gripe. It’s good quality writing.
Speed is not really he problem. It is fatigue…
Fair enough. Keep up the good work. It is appreciated
Excellent value, can we have some tech stuff as well please Joe. Not everyone would read it but then I skip some bits now too.
Mike Doodson’s articles are always interesting and amusing but he is never credited. Ok he does not maybe go to all races any more but obviously earned the right to be here over many years.
Joe,
Been a subscriber for over a year now. Thanks to all who contribute as it’s a very enjoyable magazine – and works great on the iPad, unlike other magazines whose text appears far too small…
I never realized but that is indeed a lot of information – especially when you consider the FIA only release their timing data for a very short few days before the next race and it disappears again. I suppose if one has accreditation, one can access it later?
http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/f1_media/Pages/event-information.aspx
Yes, that is indeed my source. It’s typically available until the Tuesday before the next race…
Having become a subscriber only last year, I am now a fan. However, I am not at all sure that a 7 page article on the singer, Alistair Griffin, has a place in a GP magazine. I would much rather read an article tapping into Joe’s extensive knowledge of the history of motor racing. Having recently read Charles Jarrott’s 10 years of Motors and Motor racing, I have realised how much I have missed by concentrating on the 1930′s onwards. CJ retired in 1904 because the sport had become too commercial – plus ça change etc. A very interesting and amusing book for all those who like motor racing.
Wilson
Joe/Wilson
I too had trouble understanding why a singer was worth a 7-page article, although I take note of your comments about the “+” elsewhere. Does Griffin do any racing? It’s not mentioned in the article
Musicians who have raced might be more interesting. How about Nick Mason, Rowan Atkinson, Mark Knoepfler, ….?
But most of all, I would like to read about the stars of the twenties, can I suggest Bordino, Ascari, Campari, Borzacchini to start you off please?
Otherwise, GP+ is excellent value.
Martin
Joe,
Me 2 but I also said in the survey that the Plus articel do not make sense to me.
The rest is great and will make great re-reading over the summer break.
Steve
I have subscribed for two years and I will do so until they pry my ipad from my cold dead fingers. Joe, you are the Chris Economaki of F1 and there is no higher praise, imho
I am a little younger than Chris!! By a mere 40 years. I believe Chris is now in his nineties!
he’s 91, according to Wikipedia. Funnily enough i first became aware of him thanks to a series of cheesy US 80s promo videos for the VW Scirocco
Sorry for straying off topic here, but have you had any thoughts about a possible Audience / Evening with Joe in Austin?
I hope to have one!
Workin on it…
Highly recommended. Especially for those of you with an iPad / tablet.
Joe…
FYI
Christopher “Chris” Constantine Economaki (born October 15, 1920)
I’m enjoying mine quite a bit.
May I suggest you do one free copy for an upcoming race and promote it a bit? I ask as a possible subscriber!
There is also the option of supporting a subscription through iOS (I’m an iOS developer myself although I’ve not looked into the full details of selling magazine content – feel free to ask me to do so).
Meanwhile, keep up the good work on the blog!
There is already an example on the http://www.grandprixplus.com website
Great publication. Gets passed round the Newey household regularly.
Not copied I hope. That would be illegal.
Just think of the multiple sales opportunities Joe: If Newey was spotted reading GP+ soon every other F1 team would be reading it too.
According to the graphic Pastor Maldonado had a pitlane time faster than Jenson Button. Assuming McLaren’s actual tire-change was actually faster, how did Williams manage to get him in and out faster? Is this a benefit of their garage location in the pit-lane, did MAL speed in the pits (I can’t recall him being penalized) or did he maximize his exit? Any idea guys?