Racing with Rich Energy

Formula One has long maintained a glitzy aura that masks dark and strange goings-on in the background. But with the 2019 season came a force louder than Formula One could dream of muffling: William Storey, the founder of British energy drink startup Rich Energy. Storey became a multimillion-dollar sponsor of the Haas Formula One team a year after records showed Rich Energy having a mere $770 in the bank. He equated his doubters to moon-landing truthers and publicly mocked both the Haas team and the entities winning legal disputes against him. But where were actual cans of Rich Energy, and did the supposed sponsorship funds exist? In the six months between Storey’s first race as a Formula One sponsor and his very public exit, he stole the spotlight with a loud mouth and an active Twitter account. Haas team boss Guenther Steiner once described the Rich Energy news cycle as: “I’m getting sick of answering these stupid fucking questions on a race weekend. I’ve never seen any fucking thing like this.” No one else had, either. This book uncovers the complete, bizarre story.

Elizabeth Blackstock is a novelist and motorsport journalist.

Alanis King is an automotive and motorsport journalist.

Elizabeth Blackstock and Alanis King

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 292
Bibliographic Info: 4 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2022
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8880-0
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4792-0
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments vii
Preface 1
1. As the Storey Goes 3
2. Bad Genes 17
3. Dubious Energy 48
4. A Formula for Disaster 73
5. Whyte Collar Crime 105
6. A Pain in the Haas 122
7. When You Mess with the Bull 138
8. A Volt of Hope 160
9. The Richest Part 184
Appendix A—Questions for William Storey 197
Appendix B—Questions for Haas F1 Team 209
Chapter Notes 213
Bibliography 251
Index 279

• “A well-reported and often hilarious romp through the twists and turns of the Rich Energy sage in Formula 1, Racing with Rich Energy is a tale that’s so ridiculous it’s hard to believe it’s not fiction…Whether you’re a long time F1 fan or just got into the sport because of ‘Drive to Survive,’ the book is an excellent companion piece for even the most casual fan.”—The Autopian

• “Their style of writing will keep you riveted to this disaster unfolding like being unable to turn away from a train wreck…fun…a very worthwhile read”—Deep Throttle

• “Blackstock and King take their audience to a world where technology, hard work, and money are necessary for success…As long as motorsports attract ne’er-do-wells, there will be a need for books like Racing with Rich Energy.”—H-Net Reviews