In 2025, Apple released the film ‘F1,’ starring Brad Pitt, but before then, we had the legendary Grand Prix (1966). And now, nearly sixty years later, the book Grand Prix 1966 opens the vault, with a peek behind the cinematography.
This hardbound stunner showcases the unseen work of photographer Luis Delgado, captured during the making of John Frankenheimer’s 1966 masterpiece starring James Garner. These are not publicity stills or recycled studio shots. These are intimate, in-the-moment images taken by a man who lived inside the production, travelled with the cast, and stood shoulder to shoulder with F1 drivers, crews, and cameras that redefined realism in motorsport cinema.
If you’re already keen to get your hands on a copy, head to their website to order.
A front-row pass to racing history
Luis Delgado was not just another photographer on set. He was an actor, a stand-in, and James Garner’s closest friend. When Grand Prix went to Europe, Delgado went with it. Between bit roles in the film, he shot hundreds of Kodachrome slides that have never been seen outside the Delgado family, until now.
The result is a visual time capsule of a pivotal moment in F1 history, captured at full speed in 1966. Real cars. Real circuits. Real danger. Real people doing extraordinary things with zero CGI and no safety net.
What’s inside the book
This book does not skim the surface. It dives straight into the heart of the production.
You get behind-the-scenes access to:
- On-set photography from Monaco, Spa-Francorchamps, Clermont-Ferrand, Monza, Silverstone, and Le Mans.
- The drivers of the era, both real and fictional, captured between takes and at speed
- The groundbreaking Super Panavision 70 camera setups that put viewers inside the cockpit.
- James Garner, unfiltered, relaxed, focused, and fully immersed in the role that defined racing cinema.
- The atmosphere of a 1966 Formula 1 paddock before corporate polish took over the sport.
The table of contents alone reads like a greatest hits list of motorsport history. From Monte Carlo to Maranello, from drivers to directors, this book documents how Grand Prix was made with the same intensity as the racing it portrayed.
The F1 Drivers of the Film
Much of Grand Prix’s realism stems from its filming at and around actual Grand Prix races, featuring professional drivers. While Jim did drive in many of his shots, the other main actors, such as Yves Montand (Jean-Pierre Sarti), Brian Bedford (Scott Stoddard), and Antonio Sabato (Nino Barlini), had professional drivers represent them in the driving sequences.
The group is like a who’s-who from 1960s open-wheel racing in Europe and the United States. Here’s a list of drivers, many of whom were photographed by Luis in 1966:
| Driver | Driver | Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Amon | Richie Ginther | Peter Revson |
| Lorenzo Bandini | Dan Gurney | Jochen Rindt |
| Jean-Pierre Beltoise | Graham Hill | Jim Russell |
| Bob Bondurant | Phil Hill | Ludovico Scarfiotti |
| Jo Bonnier | Denny Hulme | Jo Schlesser |
| Jack Brabham | Tony Lanfranchi | Skip Scott |
| Jim Clark | Guy Ligier | Jo Siffert |
| Ken Costello | Bruce McLaren | Mike Spence |
| Juan Manuel Fangio | Michael Parkes | Jackie Stewart |
| Giuseppe Farina | Andre Pilette | |
| Paul Frere | Teddy Pilette |
A landmark film deserves a landmark book
Grand Prix was shot during real Formula 1 race weekends in 1966. Frankenheimer hired actual drivers. Real Ferraris and BRMs were used. Cameras were mounted where no one had dared to put them before. Cinematographer Lionel Lindon’s work still looks visceral today because it was real.
This book captures that authenticity perfectly. Every image reinforces why Grand Prix remains the gold standard for racing films—no digital tricks. No shortcuts. Just courage, ingenuity, and a love for the sport.
The book itself
This is not a coffee-table afterthought. It is built like a collector’s piece. It’s hardbound, 11 x 8.5 inches, with a case-laminated cover that wraps 234 full-colour pages. It feels substantial in your hands, just like the era it documents.
From the family archive, at last
The story behind the book is just as compelling as the images themselves. Formula One History spoke to the author of the book, Blake Delgado. Here’s what he said:
“I am the son of Luis Delgado, James Garner’s closest friend and personal stand-in for more than fifty years. My dad spent his career working alongside Jim on the 1966 film Grand Prix and virtually every production he made. Straight out of high school, I followed in his footsteps, serving as a stand-in on The Rockford Files and every James Garner project for six years before leaving the entertainment industry to pursue a career in real estate.
After decades of safeguarding the behind-the-scenes materials I inherited, I met writer and longtime James Garner fan Jim Bunte in 2021. After seeing the collection, Jim encouraged me to allow him to finally share it with the world. Grand Prix 1966 represents the long-awaited unveiling of a deeply personal family legacy and offers a rare, intimate look into one of Hollywood’s most beloved productions”.
Final Verdict
Grand Prix 1966 is not just a book. It is a time machine. If you love Formula 1 history, classic cinema, James Garner, or the raw, dangerous beauty of racing before it was made safer, this belongs on your coffee table or shelf. These images have waited nearly six decades to be seen. The wait was worth it.
Heard enough? Want to get your hands on a copy? Head to their website to order.
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