In The News

British driver who made Formula One history passes away

British driver who made Formula One history passes away

THE death has taken place of Peter Gethin who made Formula One history in  the early 1970s. He was 71.

Mr. Gethin had begun his driving career in the 1960s competing in Formula Three where he enjoyed great success against massive competition.

He went on to win the inaugural British Fomula 5000 championship in 1969 at the wheel of a McLaren M10A.

His breakthrough into Formula One came in 1970 when he was drafted into the McLaren team after Bruce McLaren was killed while testing at Goodwood.

But following a disagreement, Mr. Gethin switched to the BRM team mid-way through the 1971 F1 season.

So it was in a BRM P160 that he was to make Formula One history in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza (see below).

He secured victory in the race by what was at that time the closest margin recorded in Formula One.

Mr. Gethin took top-spot after beating Ronnie Peterson from the March team by one-hundredth of a second after setting an average speed over the circuit of 151.634 mph.

But this was to prove the only grand prix win in 30 races as a Formula One driver. 

He went on to compete in F5000 and Can-Am races in the United States before retiring from driving and returning to live in England.

To view film footage of Peter Gethin winning the 1971 Italian Grand Prix at Monza click here.

 

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