John Watson, born on May 4, 1946, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, started out on his racing career in the late 1960s. He advanced through different racing series before making his Formula One debut in 1973 with Goldie Hexagon Racing in a non-Championship event: the World Championship Victory Race at Brands Hatch. Watson’s first World Championship event came at the 1973 British Grand Prix.
| Nationality | British |
|---|---|
| Born | John Marshall Watson 4 May 1946 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
Initially, Watson faced numerous challenges in F1, but over time, he started making a significant impact. His breakthrough came when he clinched his first F1 win at the 1976 Austrian Grand Prix, racing for Penske. Throughout his career, Watson accumulated a total of six wins, notably including a memorable 1981 British Grand Prix, where he fought in an intense battle with his friend and competitor, Gilles Villeneuve.
Watson’s extraordinary win at the 1982 Monaco Grand Prix is particularly notable. Starting 17th, he navigated the wet track, making several daring overtakes to secure the win, cementing his reputation with one of F1’s most impressive performances.
Off of the racetrack, Watson was known for his sharp wit and charismatic personality. After retiring as a driver, he remained in Formula One as a commentator and analyst for F1 broadcasts and mentoring upcoming drivers.
John Watson Formula One World Championship career
| F1 Career | 1973–1983, 1985 |
|---|---|
| Teams | Brabham, Surtees, Lotus, Penske, McLaren |
| Entries | 154 (152 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 5 |
| Podiums | 20 |
| Career points | 169 |
| Pole positions | 2 |
| Fastest laps | 5 |
| First entry | 1973 British Grand Prix |
| First win | 1976 Austrian Grand Prix |
| Last win | 1983 United States Grand Prix West |
| Last entry | 1985 European Grand Prix |
Sources: Wikipedia.com
