I also have to clarify that one tasted with special intensity war stories of "grandfather onion" that are only capable of transmitting us professionals of the stature of the Carlos Castello, Javier of the arch or similar. And it is not just a question of age, but experiences. In the case of Merlos, I close the book with the clear understanding that the resulting gasoline and burned rubber smell of its more than 30 years in the world of the enginemust have inevitably attached to their skin. There is nothing.
The book begins playing the fiber, how could it be otherwise when one goes back to the origins of a passion. If the narrative of this first time in which the author saw pass before his eyes a formula --and also on Montjuic, nothing less - not you, it is that there is really no passion behind your interest in the sport (which also is a valid and respectable option)(, eye). Envy always - healthy - the magic that surrounds the unforgettable moment of witnessing for the first time an F1 when they explain, but if it is in a circuit of my city that I will never see a formula 1 racethen you do not want to not count
But that's only the story that gives the go-ahead to a host of very first hand experiences that have accompanied the long and early career around a journalistic guru of this engine such as Josep Lluis Merlos. I would like to stress at this point about guru. I notice a certain resentment at various points in the book by the sudden of zillions specialists of formula one appearance. I justified and I join the resentment. I would add that even some of these "newcomers" boast of being of those who know most of formula 1 around the country. Seems a real mockery to the race of people that has been on this since formula one was a residual boredom, and who doubt this statement does not have more than read the book of Merlos, to see how when Fernando Alonso was still a tadpolethe author and few others already made a living of circuit in circuit.
Don't want to lose me, however in this type of side effects gives very well analysed in the Alonsomania book that has changed, wait for long time, the journalism of the motorsport in our country. The chapters in which speaks of Pedro De La Rosa, Marc Gene, the own Fernando Alonso or Jaime Alguersuari, they have found me most interesting. Why? As because explain me things which for the most part did not know, and that they photograph these pilots from some angles from which normally shoot anyone.
The analysis is also especially fascinating from the dual standpoint of a professional of the engine and turn the world of kartingdriver father. All its good qualities, and, of course not, all their wickedness and perversions. No half-truths. As the chapters detailing the birth of the Circuit de Catalunya, the end of Montjuic, the stories of television rights, and each and every one of the chapters from the book are also very interesting.
However, for me what value is this book is the clarity, strength and courage with which Merlos are all matters that involve F1 and its parallel worlds. It is appreciated that it not simply to explain the facts as if it were a historian, but is involved and is wet in everything that want you to do so. That does not price coming from someone with good sense and so many adventures behind him.
Finally, the book explains me one of the television episodes for those who still didn't answer: his departure of TV3. I remember well as in the first Grand Prix held at the Circuit de Catalunya after the "disappearance" of Merlos, a banner read a "TV3, where is Merlos?". That question has finally found an answer. And luckily, since a couple of seasons ago, it has also found redemption. And it lasts.
PS: For the moment, the book is only available in Catalan, and without forecasts that translates into Spanish. I think someone should make an effort for any fan to formula one in any Spain loss how much that is said in this interesting book. And if not, then tirare classic: Catalan is understood easily, so if you are interested in the subject, that the language isn't a barrier!
