John Watson 2019 Beyond the Grid interview
He may not be as well-known as James Hunt or Nigel Mansell, but for a good period in the late Seventies and early Eighties, after the former had retired and before the latter..
Name | John Watson |
Country | United Kingdom |
Height | 1.80 meter / 5 feet 11 inch |
Place of Birth | Belfast |
Date of Birth | May 4th 1946 - 78 years old |
Season Entries | 12 |
Car Number | 1 |
First Race | 1973 British F1 GP |
Last Race | 1985 European F1 GP |
First Pole | 1977 Monaco F1 GP |
Last Pole | 1978 French F1 GP |
First Win | 1976 Austrian F1 GP |
Last Win | 1983 USA West F1 GP |
F1 Teams History | Brabham (1973-1974, 1977-1978) Surtees (1975) Team Lotus (1975) Penske (1975-1976) McLaren (1979-1983, 1985) |
John Watson F1 Stats | |
Grand Prix Entries | 154 |
Grand Prix Starts | 152 |
Total Points | 169.00 |
Avg. Points per GP | 1.10 |
Grand Prix Wins | 5 (3,2%) |
Pole Positions | 2 (1,3%) |
Front Row Starts | 11 (7,1%) |
Avg. GP Grid | 11.7 |
GP Podiums | 20 (13,0%) |
GP Fastest Laps | 5 (3,2%) |
GP Points Finish | 47 (30,5%) |
Avg. GP Position | 6.6 |
GP Retirements | 66 (42,9%) |
GP DNF's | 56 (36,4%) |
Total GP Laps | 7.388 |
John Watson was born on May 4, 1946, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He began his racing career in the late 1960s, working his way up through various formulae before making his Formula One debut in 1973 with the Goldie Hexagon Racing team.
Watson's early F1 career was a struggle, with few results to speak of, but he gradually began to make his mark in the sport. In 1976, he scored his first F1 victory at the Austrian Grand Prix, driving for the Penske team. He would go on to win five more races in his career, including the 1981 British Grand Prix in a thrilling duel with his friend and rival, Gilles Villeneuve.
Watson is perhaps best remembered for his remarkable victory at the 1982 Monaco Grand Prix. Starting from 17th on the grid, he battled his way through the field in treacherous wet conditions to take the win, pulling off one of the greatest drives in F1 history.
Off the track, Watson was known for his quick wit and engaging personality, and he remained active in the sport long after his retirement as a driver. He has worked as a commentator and analyst for various F1 broadcasts, and has also served as a mentor to young drivers.
Today, John Watson's legacy in the sport of Formula One is secure. He was a fierce competitor on the track and a beloved figure off it, and his remarkable achievements continue to inspire F1 fans around the world.
1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
23rd | 15th | 38th | 8th | 13th | 6th | 9th | 12th | 6th | 3rd |
1983 | 1985 | ||||||||
7th | 22nd |
Year | Team | Engine | GP | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Pod | Pole | Laps | FL | Avg Pts | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1985 | McLaren | TAG | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 73 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
1983 |
McLaren McLaren |
TAG Ford | 14 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 608 | 1 | 1.57 | 22 |
1982 | McLaren | Ford | 15 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 821 | 1 | 2.60 | 39 |
1981 | McLaren | Ford | 15 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 809 | 1 | 1.80 | 27 |
1980 | McLaren | Ford | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 618 | 0 | 0.46 | 6 |
1979 | McLaren | Ford | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 788 | 0 | 1.00 | 15 |
1978 | Brabham | Alfa Romeo | 16 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 752 | 0 | 1.56 | 25 |
1977 | Brabham | Alfa Romeo | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 659 | 2 | 0.53 | 9 |
1976 | Penske | Ford | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 811 | 0 | 1.25 | 20 |
1975 |
Penske Surtees Team Lotus |
Ford Ford Ford | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 509 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
1974 | Brabham | Ford | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 897 | 0 | 0.40 | 6 |
1973 | Brabham | Ford | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
1st | 5 Times |
2nd | 6 Times |
3rd | 9 Times |
4th | 9 Times |
5th | 7 Times |
6th | 11 Times |
7th | 10 Times |
8th | 6 Times |
9th | 6 Times |
10th | 6 Times |
11th | 9 Times |
12th | 2 Times |
13th | 2 Times |
16th | 2 Times |
DNF | 56 Times |
DSQ | 3 Times |
NC | 3 Times |
DNQ | 2 Times |
Year | Race | No | Team | Engine | Grid | Pos | Retired | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | 1983 | 1983 USA West F1 GP | 7 | McLaren | Ford | 22 | 1 | 9 | |
4 | 1982 | 1982 Detroit F1 GP | 7 | McLaren | Ford | 17 | 1 | 9 | |
3 | 1982 | 1982 Belgian F1 GP | 7 | McLaren | Ford | 10 | 1 | 9 | |
2 | 1981 | 1981 British F1 GP | 7 | McLaren | Ford | 5 | 1 | 9 | |
1 | 1976 | 1976 Austrian F1 GP | 28 | Penske | Ford | 2 | 1 | 9 |
Year | Race | No | Team | Engine | Grid | Pos | Retired | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 1978 | 1978 French F1 GP | 2 | Brabham | Alfa Romeo | 1 | 4 | 3 | |
1 | 1977 | 1977 Monaco F1 GP | 7 | Brabham | Alfa Romeo | 1 | DNF | Gearbox | 0 |
Year | Team | Team Mate | Best Pos | Points | Wins | Poles | Pos | Quali | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1973 | Brabham | Andrea de Adamich | 16 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Carlos Reutemann | 16 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Wilson Fittipaldi | 16 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
1974 | Brabham | Carlo Facetti | 7 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Carlos Pace | 4 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 | ||
Carlos Reutemann | 4 | 1 | 6 | 32 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 14 | ||
Eppie Wietzes | 20 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
Gérard Larrousse | 11 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
Helmuth Koinigg | 4 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
Ian Ashley | 5 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
Lella Lombardi | 11 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
Richard Robarts | 12 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||
Rikky von Opel | 6 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 | ||
Teddy Pilette | 11 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
1975 | Surtees | Dave Morgan | 11 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Team Lotus | Ronnie Peterson | 21 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
1976 | Penske | Boy Hayje | 19 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
1977 | Brabham | Carlos Pace | 6 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Giorgio Francia | 24 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
Hans Joachim Stuck | 2 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 11 | 3 | ||
1978 | Brabham | Nelson Piquet | 19 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Niki Lauda | 2 | 1 | 25 | 44 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 11 | ||
1979 | McLaren | Patrick Tambay | 3 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 13 | 2 |
1980 | McLaren | Alain Prost | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 8 |
Stephen South | 4 | 27 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
1981 | McLaren | Andrea de Cesaris | 1 | 6 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 14 | 1 |
1982 | McLaren | Niki Lauda | 1 | 1 | 39 | 30 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 10 |
1983 | McLaren | Niki Lauda | 1 | 2 | 22 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 11 |
1985 | McLaren | Alain Prost | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
He may not be as well-known as James Hunt or Nigel Mansell, but for a good period in the late Seventies and early Eighties, after the former had retired and before the latter..
John Watson, a former F1 driver who said Niki Lauda was his life-long friend, has slammed Lewis Hamilton for his behaviour in Monaco. After the Mercedes team chairman died late on..
Villeneuve sheds new light on the Formula 1 legend through 48 illuminating interviews with his contemporaries and a stunning array of photographs, many previously unseen...
Mercedes should ban Lewis Hamilton's dog from the paddock, according to former F1 driver John Watson. While the 2008 world champion insists he is enjoying his new freedoms after..
Read more John Watson News »
Latest Comments