John Surtees

John Surtees was born in Tatsfield, England on the 11th of February 1934. Surtees started the racing life by riding motorbikes and had won almost 200 races by the time he reached 21. He became World Champion seven times in four years! He also won the Isle of Mann TT on six occasions.

Johns first year in F1 was with Lotus in 1960 and he had quite a successful year but in 1961 he signed with Yeoman credit cooper with whom he had a disappointing year.

Off he went then to Lola and had some success with a few points finishes. Enter Ferrari, it was with Ferrari that he would have his most productive drive. Being able to speak Italian must have been a great help because it was largely down to him that Ferrari were transformed.

He drove for Ferrari for three years and in 1964 he won the World Championship and the team won the constructors championship. In 1966 Surtees fell out with the director and walked out of the team and in to Cooper Masserati to get a second place in the World Championship.

Honda and Lola were the next stop where he managed a few podiums but after the death of Jo Shlesser Honda withdrew from racing in 1968. After a bad season with BRM, he created an organisation in 1970 and team Surtees was born. Although he had himself a good little team he never won the World Championship with it and his last win was in 1971 with the Oulton park gold cup.

Fans of John can see him strutting his stuff at the Goodwood festivals of speed.