In the Roaring Sixties, British drivers seize power in Formula 1 with six world titles, spread across four drivers. These are tough men with diverse characters, but with one common denominator: their boundless passion for motorsport. Today, we present a portrait of: John Surtees.
In the sixties of the twentieth century, the British national anthem is increasingly heard after a Grand Prix. For a long time, Alfa, Ferrari, and Maserati have dominated Formula 1, but more and more British constructors are starting to build faster racing cars. Cooper, Aston Martin, BRM, Lotus. From Down Under, Brabham and McLaren join the ranks.
‘Garage men,’ scoffs Ferrari. Tinkerers who don’t even build their own engines. Yet, he has to watch as they gradually take over power, with British drivers behind the wheel. Six times a British driver becomes the Formula 1 world champion in the Sixties. But it is also a dangerous time…
John Surtees, also known as Fearless John
John Surtees, born in 1934, remains to this day the only driver to have become world champion on both two and four wheels. As the son of a motorcycle dealer, he already made a name for himself in the fifties, with seven world titles on motorcycles. His Formula 1 debut in 1960 with Lotus is promising. In his second race, he finishes second. In the third, he takes pole position.
However, Surtees is not one to be easily swayed and is known for his stubbornness. Just as he would marry three times, he frequently changes teams. It is not until 1963 that he finds his place at Ferrari. He wins the German Grand Prix on the infamous Nürburgring. In 1964, he even competes for the title. After Hill is eliminated by Bandini, Clark seems to be on course for the title for a long time. That is until a oil line in his Lotus ruptures in the final stages. Ferrari quickly has Surtees and Bandini switch positions, allowing Surtees to become world champion with a one-point lead over Hill.
A year later, Surtees’ career is almost over. In a horrific crash with a Lola Sportscar at Mosport in Canada, his body is nearly torn in two. But ‘Fearless John’ returns at the beginning of 1966. They are tough guys indeed.
With the introduction of the new three-liter engine regulation, Ferrari is one of the few teams with a good engine. Surtees wins the rain race at Spa. But – what’s new? – Ferrari’s management throws a spanner in the works. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Surtees has a dispute with team manager Dragoni, who favors the Italian drivers. When Ferrari himself does not support him, Surtees leaves immediately.
Jack Brabham then wins four Grands Prix in a row and the world title. Surtees wins more Grands Prix for Cooper and Honda, but he never competes for a title again. Dissatisfied with the cars he is given, he starts his own Formula 1 team in 1970. He retires from racing in 1972. Team Surtees lasts until 1978, but achieves little success. Surtees was known as a difficult team boss: very critical but also stingy. He passed away in 2017.
