Elizabeth Blackstock: Motorsport Journalist, Historian and Author Exploring the Stories Behind Racing
- Belinda Guy
- Jul 20
- 4 min read
Elizabeth Blackstock is a motorsport journalist, historian and author whose work focuses on the stories behind racing. From Formula 1 and motorsport media to forgotten moments in racing history, Elizabeth has built a career exploring the people, events and experiences that have shaped the sport.
As part of the Belinda Automotive: The Road is Ours series, I sat down with Elizabeth to discuss her journey into motorsport journalism, her passion for preserving racing history, life inside the Formula 1 paddock and why storytelling remains such an important part of motorsport.
Elizabeth is also the creator and host of Deadly Passions, Terrible Joys, a podcast that explores the forgotten tragedies, scandals and human stories from motorsport history. In 2025, the podcast received the E. P. Ingersoll Award from the Society of Motorsport Historians for Best Non-Print Presentation of Automotive History, recognising her dedication to sharing these important stories with a wider audience.
Elizabeth Blackstock’s journey into motorsport journalism
Like many people working in motorsport, Elizabeth’s path into the industry was shaped by a curiosity to understand the stories behind the sport.
Her career has taken her through journalism, historical research and storytelling, allowing her to explore different areas of motorsport and develop a unique perspective on the industry. Rather than focusing solely on race results and statistics, Elizabeth looks at the bigger picture. Her work examines the people involved, the challenges they faced and the circumstances that shaped their careers.
This approach has helped her stand out in a busy motorsport media landscape, where storytelling can sometimes be overlooked in favour of immediate news and analysis.
Working as a motorsport journalist in the Formula 1 paddock
For many motorsport fans, working inside the Formula 1 paddock feels like a dream opportunity.
During our conversation, Elizabeth shared what life is really like as a media member covering Formula 1, including the fast pace of race weekends, the responsibility of telling accurate stories and the challenges journalists face in a constantly changing media environment.
The role of a motorsport journalist goes far beyond attending races. It involves research, building relationships, understanding the wider context and finding the stories that connect with audiences.
Elizabeth also discussed how motorsport media has evolved, particularly with the growth of digital platforms, social media and new ways for fans to engage with racing.
The story behind Deadly Passions, Terrible Joys
One of Elizabeth’s biggest projects is her podcast Deadly Passions, Terrible Joys, which explores the lesser-known stories from motorsport history.
The podcast looks at the tragedies, controversies and human experiences behind some of racing’s most significant moments, and trust me, you'll be hooked. Through detailed research and thoughtful storytelling, Elizabeth brings forgotten stories back into the spotlight.
In 2025, Deadly Passions, Terrible Joys received the E. P. Ingersoll Award from the Society of Motorsport Historians for Best Non-Print Presentation of Automotive History.
The recognition highlighted the importance of preserving motorsport history and finding new ways to share these stories with modern audiences.
Why motorsport history matters
Motorsport history is not just about race winners, championship statistics or famous cars, but it is about understanding the people and circumstances that shaped the sport.
Elizabeth’s work demonstrates why historical context is so important. Looking back at motorsport’s past helps us understand how the industry has evolved, the challenges people have faced and the lessons that can be learned today. It also highlights the recurring history we see and the infuriating decisions made in the past, further adding an important context to her storytelling.
From technological innovation to social change, motorsport has always reflected the wider world around it.
Women in motorsport: challenges, progress and the future
During our conversation, we also discussed the experiences of women in motorsport and the importance of recognising their contributions throughout history. Women have always played a role in racing, from drivers and engineers to journalists, team members and leaders. However, many of their stories have not received the recognition they deserve. You can see where we might have spent a lot of our time chatting!
Elizabeth shared her thoughts on the challenges women have faced within the industry, the progress that has been made and why creating greater representation remains important for the future of motorsport. Ultimately, a more inclusive motorsport community benefits everyone by bringing different perspectives, experiences and ideas into the sport.
The importance of storytelling in motorsport
A key theme throughout our conversation was the power of storytelling. While motorsport is built around competition and performance, the stories behind those achievements are what really draw in the fans. Whether it is a driver overcoming adversity, an engineer developing groundbreaking technology or someone challenging expectations within the industry, these personal journeys are what make motorsport so compelling.
Elizabeth’s work shows that preserving these stories is essential, ensuring that important moments and people are not forgotten.
Elizabeth Blackstock’s contribution to motorsport media
Through her journalism, historical research, podcast and content creation, Elizabeth continues to bring a different perspective to motorsport coverage. Her work highlights the importance of looking beyond the surface and exploring the people, experiences and events that make racing what it is today.
My conversation with Elizabeth was a reminder that motorsport is not only about what happens on the track, but also about the stories that surround it and the people who dedicate themselves to preserving them.
You can watch the full conversation with Elizabeth Blackstock as part of Belinda Automotive: The Road is Ours.
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