John Surtees was born on February 11, 1934, in Tatsfield, Surrey, England. He developed a passion for motorcycles at a young age, influenced by his father who was a motorcycle dealer. Surtees began racing motorcycles competitively at the age of 15, and by the time he was 18, he had won numerous national titles.
In 1952, Surtees started competing in international motorcycle racing events and caught the attention of the Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta. He joined their team in 1955, and his career took off. Surtees became the youngest 500cc World Champion in 1956, a title he would win an impressive four times in a row from 1958 to 1960. He also won three 350cc world championships during this period.
In 1960, Surtees made the transition from motorcycles to cars and signed with the Lotus team to compete in Formula 1. He proved his talent by winning the championship in his debut year, becoming the first and only person to win world championships on both two and four wheels.
Throughout his Formula 1 career, Surtees competed for a number of teams, including Ferrari, Honda, and Team Lotus. He achieved six victories and gained a strong reputation as a skilled and determined driver. His final Formula 1 race was in 1972.
After retiring from Formula 1, Surtees founded his own motor racing team and competed in various racing series. He won the Can-Am Championship in 1972, becoming the first and only person to win the World Championship on two and four wheels as well as a major international car racing championship.
In addition to his racing career, Surtees made notable contributions to motorsport safety. Following a serious accident that ended his career in 1965, he became an advocate for improved safety standards in motorsport. Surtees played a crucial role in the development of helmets and protective gear, as well as safer race circuits.
Surtees received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career. In 1959, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to motorsport. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1996 and the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in 2007.
Surtees’ influence on motorsport and his achievements have had a lasting impact on the industry. He inspired many young racers to pursue their dreams and pushed for greater safety measures, ultimately saving lives. Surtees passed away on March 10, 2017, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest racers in the history of motorsport. He will always be remembered for his skill, versatility, and remarkable achievements on both two and four wheels.
