The World Championship drivers — Where are they now?
by Richard Jenkins
| See also |
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Formula 3000 drivers Indy 500 drivers North American Racers World Championship team bosses |
This information is compiled by Richard Jenkins with help from many sources, but worthy of particular mention are the regulars at The Nostalgia Forums at Autosport.com and Trackforum, and also the Yahoo Racing History discussion group. See his full introduction here.
Updates and corrections are always welcomed - please join the debate here.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
| Name | Born | Died | Nat | Grands Prix | Biography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Abecassis |
21 Mar 1913 Walton-on-Thames, Surrey |
18 Dec 1991 Ibstone, nr. High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire |
GB |
2 (1951-1952) |
Alphabetically, the first of all the GP drivers, George was involved in the car industry in various means for a good number of years. He died, peacefully, in retirement, at his home in Ibstone. George also won a DFC during the war. (Last updated 24 Jan 2003) |
| Jay Abney |
26 Aug 1931 Anaheim, California |
10 Jun 1958 Sutter, California |
USA |
0 (1956) |
|
| Kenneth Acheson |
27 Nov 1957 Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland |
|
GB |
3 (1983-1985) |
Kenny became a hugely successful sportscar driver, latterly, with the Newcastle Lister squad, until a huge crash at Daytona in 1996, in which he suffered injuries saw him announce his retirement from driving swiftly afterwards. Now lives in Bradford-upon-Avon, where he runs a successful toiletries company with his wife, Fiona. (Last updated 8 Jan 2005) |
| Philippe Adams |
19 Nov 1969 Mouscron |
|
B |
3 (1994) |
Successful lower formulae driver who had a tough time with Lotus in 1994. He raced in touring cars, procars, minis and sportscars for some years afterwards, but is now retired. He now works as a sales manager for SEAT in Tournai, Belgium and lives in Wattrelos, France. (Last updated 12 Mar 2008) |
| Walt Ader |
15 Dec 1912 Long Valley, New Jersey |
25 Nov 1982 Califon, New Jersey |
USA |
1 (1950) |
(Last updated 21 Feb 2004) |
| Kurt Adolff |
05 Nov 1921 Stuttgart |
|
D |
1 (1953) |
Is still alive and well. He lives in Achenkirch, Austria, not far from the German border. He has long since retired from driving, due to his business interests, however he still watches the sport to this day. (Last updated 16 May 2004) |
| Freddie Agabashian |
21 Aug 1913 Modesto, California |
13 Oct 1989 Alamo, California |
USA |
8 (1950-1957) |
Son of a mathematics genius, his sisters also became professional singers. Freddie carried on the tradition of success in his family by being a hugely successful driver. He later became a radio and TV announcer for the Indy 500, as well as advising countless drivers. (Last updated 24 Jan 2003) |
| Kurt Ahrens Jr. |
19 Apr 1940 Braunschweig, nr. Hanover |
|
D |
4 (1966-1969) |
Decent driver who retired from racing in the 1970's. Now often seen around the historic events scene in his homeland. For years he was involved in the scrap industry and ran a dealership. (Last updated 26 Nov 2002) |
| Christijan Albers |
16 Apr 1979 Eindhoven |
|
NL |
45 (2005-2007) |
After a spell in the DTM, Albers was in F1, but was dropped by Spyker in 2007. Now back in the DTM. (Last updated 12 Mar 2008) |
| Michele Alboreto |
23 Dec 1956 Milan |
25 Apr 2001 Lausitz Circuit, nr. Dresden, Germany |
I |
194 (1981-1994) |
Michele became one of the world's top sportscar stars after a long F1 career and won Le Mans in 1997. After a win at Sebring, he was tipped for 2nd Le Mans win in 2001, but a puncture at 200mph, testing his Audi, saw him crash into the barriers, killing him instantly. Motorsport lost one of its most likeable sons. |
| Jean Alesi |
11 Jun 1964 Montfavet nr. Avignon, Vaucluse |
|
F |
201 (1989-2001) |
Recently retired from F1 and has since been in touring cars, initially in Germany, but now in Asia. Also works as a consultant to Direxiv, has his own vineyard and acts as a consultant to the FFSA. (Last updated 13 Dec 2002) |
| Philippe Alliot |
27 Jul 1953 Voves nr. Chartres, Eure-et-Loir |
|
F |
109 (1984-1994) |
Still drives periodically, mostly in GT's, although he has also dabbled in motorcycling and the Paris-Dakar rally! Looks much older now after ditching the black hair dye he used towards the end of his GP career so he could keep his seat in F1. Now has his own endurance team and runs a kart track. (Last updated 11 Jan 2006) |
| Cliff Allison |
08 Feb 1932 Brough, Westmorland |
07 Apr 2005 Brough, Cumbria |
GB |
16 (1958-1961) |
Forced to retire with leg injuries after a crash at the 1961 Belgian GP, which affected him all his life. Cliff lived virtually his whole life in Brough, where he also drove the local bus. He was also a popular visitor to historic festivals in the last decade of his life. (Last updated 19 Apr 2005) |
| Fernando Alonso |
29 Jul 1981 Oviedo |
|
E |
104 (2001- ) |
Became the youngest ever World Champion in 2005, and won the title again in 2006. Still in F1, back at Renault after a torrid spell at McLaren. (Last updated 16 Dec 2007) |
| Giovanna Amati |
20 Jul 1959 Rome |
|
I |
0 (1992) |
Still racing, in special events and Italian endurance races. Also works as an expert on Italian TV. |
| George Amick |
24 Oct 1924 Vernonia, Oregon |
04 Apr 1959 Daytona Beach, Florida |
USA |
1 (1958) |
Killed in the Daytona race. (Last updated 28 May 2003) |
| Richard Amick |
19 Jan 1929 Kansas City, Missouri |
16 May 1995 Crystal River, Florida |
USA |
2 (1959-1960) |
Ran a truck stop nr. Muncie, Indiana before retiring to Florida. (Last updated 25 Mar 2004) |
| Chris Amon |
20 Jul 1943 Bulls |
|
NZ |
95 (1963-1976) |
Quit F1 in 1977 to tend the family farm, where he still lives, although he has scaled down his workload recently. Also developed suspensions for a while for Toyota. (Last updated 26 Nov 2002) |
| Bob Anderson |
19 May 1931 Hendon, London |
14 Aug 1967 Northampton |
GB |
25 (1963-1967) |
Talented privateer who died in hospital after a testing accident at Silverstone. |
| Conny Andersson |
28 Dec 1939 Alingsas |
|
S |
1 (1976-1977) |
Lives in Nol and has taken over his father's garage in nearby Nodinge. (Last updated 1 Jan 2003) |
| Emil Andres |
22 Jul 1911 Tinley Park, Illinois |
20 Jul 1999 South Holland, Illinois |
USA |
0 (1950) |
Retained his links with the Indy 500 Oldtimers association right up until his death, being honorary chairman. He became a USAC and Champ Car official and in 1968, moved to Flossmoor where he farmed in his spare time. A qualifier in pre-war Indy's, he died after a fall at his home. |
| Mario Andretti |
28 Feb 1940 Montona, Italy |
|
USA |
128 (1968-1982) |
1978 World Champion who raced for years in CART and retired at 55 as one of the top drivers, despite his age. He now largely attends races as a spectator/consultant although he still drives occasionally in sportscars, although his dream of winning Le Mans seems to have been abandoned. Also has numerous business interests, both racing and non-racing related, including car dealerships, gas stations and books. (Last updated 24 Jan 2003) |
| Michael Andretti |
05 Oct 1962 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania |
|
USA |
13 (1993) |
A legend in CART, he drove in the series before and after his unhappy F1 sojourn. Now runs his own IRL team, which runs his son Marco. Michael also made a racing return for the 1st time in 3 years in the 2006 Indy 500. After the 2007 event, he retired from driving for good. (Last updated 17 Jun 2007) |
| Keith Andrews |
15 Jun 1920 Denver, Colorado |
15 May 1957 Indianapolis, Indiana |
USA |
2 (1955-1956) |
Killed in practice for the Indy 500. |
| Marco Apicella |
07 Oct 1965 Sasso Marconi, nr. Bologna |
|
I |
1 (1993) |
His one F1 race lasted just 250 yards. Won the Japanese F3000 title and then looked set for a surprise return to F1 via the stillborn DOME project. He made a shock return to F3000 after that, but is now in sportscars and GT's, mainly in Japan. (Last updated 11 Apr 2003) |
| Frank Armi |
12 Oct 1918 Portland, Oregon |
28 Nov 1992 Hanford, California |
USA |
1 (1954) |
Later became a sound technician for TV and film, operating a boom microphone in many productions. Raced on until the mid '60's. (Last updated 25 Mar 2004) |
| Chuck Arnold |
30 May 1926 Stamford, Connecticut |
04 Sep 1997 Santa Ana, California |
USA |
1 (1959) |
|
| Rene Arnoux |
04 Jul 1948 Pontcharra, nr. Grenoble |
|
F |
149 (1978-1989) |
Had seemed more or less retired from full-time driving, bar some French Supertourisme races, before a high-profile return to racing in the GP Masters series. He has also recently tested a modern F1 car as well. He has also worked as a driver consultant, notably to Pedro Diniz and also as a TV summariser for Italian TV. Also owns and runs four karting tracks. Read interview. (Last updated 27 Sep 2005) |
| Peter Arundell |
08 Nov 1933 Ilford, Essex |
|
GB |
11 (1963-1966) |
Injuries led to an early retirement after a promising start. Retired from driving in 1969, and later emigrated to Florida, where he ran a software business. He continued to make a few visits to historic events, but is now back living in the UK, as he has been in poor health recently. (Last updated 20 Oct 2007) |
| Alberto Ascari |
13 Jul 1918 Milan |
26 May 1955 Monza Circuit |
I |
32 (1950-1955) |
One of the greatest Grand Prix drivers, sadly, largely forgotten now. Killed in a practice crash at Monza, just days after surviving a crash into Monaco harbour. |
| Peter Ashdown |
16 Oct 1934 Danbury, nr. Chelmsford, Essex |
|
GB |
1 (1959) |
Recently moved to the South of France. When he lived in England, he was involved in many projects, including, his "Candy Apple" garage/racing concern. Also has a home in the US and has recently bought a property in the UK to keep links there. (Last updated 26 Nov 2005) |
| Ian Ashley |
26 Oct 1947 Wuppertal, Germany |
|
GB |
4 (1974-1977) |
Became a pilot after a big crash led to F1 retirement. He made a racing return to the British Touring Car series in 1993, then into sidecars. In 1999, he quit as a pilot and raced in the TVR Tuscan series - he also tried fencing and polo! Still involved in motor racing, although he tends to do more work as a mechanic now, but has recently done some club racing. (Last updated 20 Oct 2007) |
| Gerry Ashmore |
25 Jul 1936 West Bromwich, Staffordshire |
|
GB |
3 (1961-1962) |
Now retired and living in France. His racing involvement is largely restricted to his regular attendance of historic festivals and reunions. (Last updated 28 May 2003) |
| Bill Aston |
29 Mar 1900 Hopton, Staffordshire |
04 Mar 1974 Lingfield, Surrey |
GB |
1 (1952) |
(Last updated 26 Apr 2003) |
| Richard Attwood |
04 Apr 1940 Wolverhampton, Staffordshire |
|
GB |
17 (1964-1969) |
Now a regular (and successful) historic racer, but has also done some development and testing work for Vauxhall in the past. Lives in Staffordshire. |
| Manuel Ayulo |
20 Oct 1921 Burbank, California |
16 May 1955 Indianapolis, Indiana |
USA |
4 (1951-1954) |
Killed in practice for the Indy 500. |
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