New Book Revisits Formula 3000 Roots of Webber, Skaife and Lowndes

summary: Former Autosport journalist James Newbold’s Formula 3000: Where Legends Are Made chronicles the 20‑year saga of the series that launched drivers like Mark Webber and Craig Lowndes, using over 100 interviews and rich photography to revive a forgotten era.

content:

The debut of Formula 3000: Where Legends Are Made marks the first full‑length history of the series that acted as the final rung before Formula 1. Former Autosport journalist James Newbold spans the championship’s 20‑year run (1985‑2004), weaving more than 100 interviews—including 15 of the 20 champions—into a year‑by‑year narrative supported by extensive colour photography.

Why it matters:

Formula 3000 was more than a feeder series; it forged the drivers, engineers and team structures that dominate today’s F1 grid. By surfacing forgotten stories—Webber’s rapid ascent, Lowndes’ brief stint, and the early days of Jordan and Stewart—Newbold restores a pivotal chapter that informs the sport’s current dynamics.

The details:

• Covers each season chronologically, highlighting key races, technical changes and championship battles.
• Features interviews with over 100 participants: drivers, team principals, engineers and mechanics.
• Includes first‑hand recollections from 15 of the 20 F3000 champions, such as Mark Webber, Justin Wilson and Ricardo Rosset.
• Presents more than 200 colour photographs of iconic cars, circuits and behind‑the‑scenes moments.
• Published by Evro Publishing, the 350‑page volume is available in print and digital formats.

What's next:

Newbold hopes the book will reignite interest in a series that quietly shaped modern F1 talent and team DNA. Fans and historians can now explore the eclectic calendar—from classic tracks to off‑beat venues like Albacete—and appreciate the legacy that still echoes in today’s paddock.

categories: Motorsport, History, Books