Reddit reviews Life At The Limit: Triumph and Tragedy in Formula One

Some great suggestions here already, so how about some podcasts ? some great interviews in the motorsport magazine back catalog http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/multimedia/audio-podcasts/

Grand Prix: The Killer Years http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x14el38_grand-prix-the-killer-years-documentary_auto

There are lots of books, if you only buy one, make sure its this : http://www.amazon.com/Life-At-Limit-Triumph-Tragedy-ebook/dp/B00BQF6RBO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413668870&sr=1-1&keywords=life+at+the+limit

Also available as an e-book on various formats.

I really enjoy reading up on the experiences people had with Sid. I've been reading his book, 'Life on the Limit' and it's really brilliant if you would like a behind the scenes look at how Formula 1 operated during his tenure. There are some brilliant stories about some of the more prominent figures in Formula 1 including Bernie and Balestre. This sport has certainly had its fair share of characters that's for sure.

Please note none of these are affiliate links. Just trying to be a good dude and help a brother out!

There's a great book called "Tales from the Toolbox" which is stories from mechanics etc... from that era. That's a really fun read. https://www.amazon.ca/Tales-toolbox-Michael-Oliver-ebook/dp/B009RUC638/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1550261258&sr=8-1&keywords=tales+from+the+toolbox

There's also "The Last Road Race" which is a fascinating read. https://www.amazon.ca/Last-Road-Race-Williams-2004-03-01/dp/B01K144S6Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1550261297&sr=8-1&keywords=pescara+last+road+race

I really enjoyed "The Limit: Life and Death on the 1961 Grand Prix Circuit" even though if you know your racing history you know how it's going to end. https://www.amazon.ca/Limit-Life-Death-Grand-Circuit/dp/0446554731/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1550261323&sr=8-1&keywords=the+limit

The best though for me was "Cars at Speed" by Robert Daley. At a time when racing was very romanticized and the carnage and loss of life was glossed over, he covered the sport honestly. It's harsh reading in spots but captures the era beautifully. https://www.amazon.ca/CARS-AT-SPEED-Grand-Golden-ebook/dp/B0091XMXJI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1550261411&sr=8-1&keywords=cars+at+speed+robert+daley

And if you want something a little different, "Go Like Hell" is about Ferrari vs Ford at Le Mans, and that's a great read as well. https://www.amazon.ca/Go-Like-Hell-Ferrari-Battle-ebook/dp/B003K16PBY/ref=pd_sim_351_6/132-9271315-8602668?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B003K16PBY&pd_rd_r=b3ff6727-315d-11e9-acf9-71fc83dc301e&pd_rd_w=GnFre&pd_rd_wg=bQUij&pf_rd_p=29a85b27-a36a-4f8d-94ca-61aa962c5f39&pf_rd_r=R7RP2WR2JFDKZGV00V91&psc=1&refRID=R7RP2WR2JFDKZGV00V91

And Sid Watkins (former F1 doctor who is a big part of why the death rate dropped in F1) has a great autobiography. https://www.amazon.ca/Life-At-Limit-Triumph-Tragedy-ebook/dp/B00BQF6RBO/ref=pd_sim_351_4/132-9271315-8602668?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00BQF6RBO&pd_rd_r=b3ff6727-315d-11e9-acf9-71fc83dc301e&pd_rd_w=GnFre&pd_rd_wg=bQUij&pf_rd_p=29a85b27-a36a-4f8d-94ca-61aa962c5f39&pf_rd_r=R7RP2WR2JFDKZGV00V91&psc=1&refRID=R7RP2WR2JFDKZGV00V91

Hope this helps you out. I've read all these and they're all great. (Actually I did The Limit via audiobook. It's on Audible.)

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I think you're right about the seatbelt, it makes sense that by the time the car has been loaded the belts have been pushed backwards.

I think the elevated head position even when slumped paired with the race suit would have reduced bleeding until, as you say, he was placed on the ground while Sid did his best. It's some comfort to know that at least the bleeding wound from the suspension debris occurred after the base skull fracture so he wouldn't had suffered from the wound.

I highly recommend Sid Watkins book(s), it's a real eye opener into the sorts neurological injuries which were (and still are though less frequently thanks to Sid and others) commonplace in motorsport. Insights into drivers and the business of the sport too.

Edit; This one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00BQF6RBO/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481926025&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=sid+watkins