British · Surrey, England · Born 11 February 1934 · Died 2017-03-10British racing driver who uniquely won world championships on both two wheels and four wheels, Formula 1 World Champion in 1964 with Ferrari
John Surtees was born on 11 February 1934 in Tatsfield, England, the eldest of three children of Jack Surtees, a three-time British motorcycle sidecar champion who owned a motorcycle shop in south London. By 11, John had his own bike, and at 16 he left school to become an apprentice engineer at the Vincent motorcycle factory, winning his first solo race within a year. Surtees became the first man to win the Isle of Man TT three years in a row and the first to average over 100mph in winning the race, dominating motorcycle racing so thoroughly that he won 32 of 39 races across his final three seasons, claiming four 500cc world championships and three 350cc titles between 1956 and 1960. With no further peaks to climb on two wheels, Surtees switched to Formula One, signing to partner Jim Clark at Team Lotus and finishing second in only his second Grand Prix. He joined Ferrari in 1963, winning the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, and claimed the 1964 World Championship in a dramatic season-ending battle with fellow Britons Graham Hill and Clark, becoming the only man in history to win world titles on both two wheels and four. Surtees founded his own Formula One team in 1970, competing for nine seasons before folding due to financial pressures. He established the Henry Surtees Foundation in memory of his son, who was killed in a 2009 Formula Two race at Brands Hatch, and was appointed CBE in 2016. Surtees died on 10 March 2017, at age 83.
Only person to win world championships on both two wheels and four wheels
How They Played
Precise, calculated driving style with exceptional bike racing background
Lasting Impact
Unique achievement of winning world titles in both motorcycle racing and Formula 1
Career Honours
- Formula 1 World Champion 1964 (Ferrari)
- 500cc Motorcycle World Champion 1956
- 500cc Motorcycle World Champion 1958
- 500cc Motorcycle World Champion 1959
- 500cc Motorcycle World Champion 1960
- 350cc Motorcycle World Champion 1958
- 350cc Motorcycle World Champion 1959
- 350cc Motorcycle World Champion 1960
- German Grand Prix Winner 1963 (Ferrari)
- German Grand Prix Winner 1964 (Ferrari)
- Italian Grand Prix Winner 1964 (Ferrari)
- Syracuse Grand Prix Winner 1963 (Ferrari)
- BBC Sports Personality of the Year 1959
- Only person in history to win World Championships on both two and four wheels
| Constructor | Season(s) | Races |
|---|---|---|
| Team Lotus | 1960 | — |
| Yeoman Credit Racing Team (Cooper) | 1961 | — |
| Bowmaker Racing Team (Lola) | 1962 | — |
| Scuderia Ferrari | 1963–1966 | — |
| Cooper-Maserati | 1966 | — |
| Honda | 1967–1968 | — |
| BRM | 1969 | — |
| McLaren (customer) | 1970 | — |
| Surtees Racing Organisation | 1970–1972 | — |
| Career Total | — | 0 |
British Athletes