John Surtees, born on 11th February 1934, is a former British professional motorcycle racer and race car driver. He is the only person to have won the World Championships in both motorcycle and car racing and is regarded by many as one of the greatest motorsport drivers of all time.
Surtees’ career spanned more than a decade and saw him competing in some of the most iconic races and events in motorsport, including the Monaco Grand Prix, the Le Mans 24 Hours, and the Isle of Man TT. He holds the record for the most solo wins at the Isle of Man TT Races, with six in total.
His career also produced numerous podium finishes and championship titles, including the Formula 1 World Championship in 1964 and the World Championships in both 500cc and 350cc Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing in 1956, 1958, 1959, and 1960 respectively.
John Surtees was born in Kensington, West London, and was raised in the Staffordshire town of Uttoxeter. He began racing motorcycles at the age of 14, initially on the local dirt tracks. By the age of 17, he was running motor racing schools with his father, who had himself been a motorcycle racer in the 1930s. A move to Norton motorcycles in 1953 proved a successful one, with Surtees winning the Isle of Man Junior TT in his first race for the company.
This began a professional racing career that lasted until 1972, during which time he won seven motorcycle World Championships. Over time, Surtees started to make a name for himself in international motorsport circles and was eventually offered a drive with the famous BRM Formula 1 team.
He made his Formula 1 debut at the Monaco Grand Prix in 1960, and by the end of the season, he had earned a podium finish and a Formula 1 World Championship point. Surtees went on to win the prestigious Formula 1 World Championship title in 1964, making him the first British driver to do so.
Surtees retired from racing in 1972 and founded the Surtees Racing Organisation, a motor racing team that went on to become one of the most successful in history. The team went on to win numerous championships and races in various categories, including Formula 1, Formula Two, and Formula 5000.
Throughout his career, John Surtees was highly decorated for his achievements on and off the race track. He was awarded numerous accolades, including the CBE in 2008 and the Commendatore dell’Ordine de Merit de la Repubblica Italiana in 1977.
John Surtees is thought to have a net worth of 3.2 million pounds. This includes any earnings from his racing career, as well as from his various business interests. John Surtees is now 86 years old and still runs the Surtees Organisation, which was founded by his late son, Henry. He is also an avid collector of classic cars. He has an interest in horse racing and is often seen cheering on his daughter, former amateur champion horse rider Karina Surtees-Clark.
John Surtees is 5ft 7in tall and currently lives in Hampshire with his wife. He has two sons, Henry and Leon, from his first marriage and two daughters from his current marriage, Tamara and Karina. John Surtees is remembered as a legend in the motorsport world and is highly regarded as one of the greatest drivers of all time. His record of seven World Championships and overall career achievements speak for themselves and continue to inspire generations of racing drivers. His contribution to the sport will always be remembered.
What type of racing did John Surtees compete in?
John Surtees competed in motor racing, primarily in Formula One and motorcycling. He also competed in Formula Two and Formula 5000.
What championships did John Surtees win?
John Surtees won seven World Championships in his career; four in the 500cc class of the Motorcycle Grand Prix (1956, 1958, 1959, and 1960) and three in Formula One (1964, 1967, and 1972).
What vehicles did John Surtees win championships in?
John Surtees won championship titles in both cars and motorcycles, becoming the only person ever to win world championships on both two and four-wheels. He won the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship in 1964, driving a Ferrari, and seven Motorcycle Grand Prix World Championships between 1956 and 1960.
