From the perspective of the cockpit of his sleek and powerful West McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 car David provides vivid descriptions of heart-stopping wheel-to-wheel battles with all the famous drivers competing at the pinnacle of motorsport. As the man to beat he had to endure the sometimes desperate cut-and-thrust tactics of rivals who tried to separate him from his goal. Other obstacles were thrown in his path. There were occasions when he struggled with the dilemma of having to sacrifice his own ambitions for those of his team. There were times when mechanical problems threatened to impede his progress. Decisions that would have profound implications had to be made in split-seconds. The fight to keep his car on the road and his championship quest on track - was constant. There was no time for reflection. That would come later... in his diary.

David’s diary includes intimate revelations of how it feels to have to perform in the spotlight in this most merciless of sporting environments, where the constant pressure to excel is fraught with difficulty and danger. Behind all the glamour and the glory enjoyed by the Formula 1 superstar are the harsh realities of the racing life. The 1998 season brought memorable moments of heartsoaring elation and of gut-wrenching disappointment. David was moved to laughter and to tears, sometimes both, even when he stood on the top step of the victory podium. Ultimately, the frustration, anger and despair that his profession inevitably brings were offset by experiencing its highest rewards: the supreme pleasure of winning and the deep satisfaction of a job well done.

This book also provides fascinating insights into the exotic lifestyle of the international celebrity he has become. While having gained access to the many privileges and pleasures afforded a Formula 1 hero David remains refreshingly unspoiled by success. His honesty, essential decency and self-deprecating sense of humour are among the delights of this book.