Since the first Grand Prix held in France in 1906 there have been many fatal accidents and serious injuries on the race track. In 1994 the sport was rocked by the tragic death of super-hero Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian driver, in the San Marino race. Since then more safety features have been added to the cars and to the rules of the race. But at speeds of over 200 miles per hour, and cars vying for position on the track, Formula 1 will never be a safe sport. There is always the possibility of death. Sports writer, Phil Shirley, probes the thoughts and feelings of the men who live with extreme danger. Some of them have witnessed fatal accidents; they are well aware of the risks they face and speak candidly about their approach to life and death, about their beliefs and superstitions, about prayer and their view of God. Interviews include: Damo n Hill, Mika Hakkinen, Michael Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve, and Martin Brundle.

Phil Shirley is a sports journalist who has written for many popular newspapers and sports magazines, including the New York Times and The News of the World . He is the author of several successful books published by HarperCollins.