The World Championship drivers — Where are they now?
by Richard Jenkins
Sections
I have endeavoured to try and provide as up-to-date and accurate information as possible for everyone featured on this site, and I am always indebted to the many contributors who help with the information on this site and sadly, space doesn't allow for me to thank everyone here. However, I would like to dedicate the ongoing work, progress and achievements on this site to those contributors who are sadly no longer with us but helped aide this project so much: Len Calinoff, Phil Harms, Gene Heeter, Earl Ma, Don Radbruch, Roscoe H Rann and Barry Lake.
Updates and corrections are always welcomed — please either join the debate here or feel free to contact me on with any information you might have.
This part of the site is also dedicated to the memory of Tony Marsh, as it was his post-Grand Prix life that served as the initial inspiration for "Where Are They Now" back in 1998 For more about what this part of the site is trying to achieve, please read my full introduction.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos Pace | 06 Oct 1944 Sao Paulo |
18 Mar 1977 Mairipora, nr. Sao Paulo |
BR | 72 (1972-1977) |
Killed in an aeroplane crash. The Brazillian GP circuit is named in his memory. A debonair man, he was hugely popular in Sao Paulo, even more so than fellow Paulista and World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi. One of Bernie Ecclestone's all-time favourites, he surely would've won more races but for his untimely death. (Last updated 11 Nov 2012) |
| Jim Packard | 23 Dec 1931 Hendersonville, North Carolina |
01 Oct 1960 Fairfield, Illinois |
USA | 0 (1959-1960) |
Killed in a midget race, just after his first Champ Car win. Highly rated, varied driver who had many wins in sprint cars. Served in the Korean War. His widow, Betty, later worked in F1 and at Indianapolis, and she is still involved in the sport as she publishes the Ladies 500, a who's who of females in the sport. (Last updated 28 Jan 2012) |
| Nello Pagani | 11 Oct 1911 Milan |
19 Oct 2003 Miazzina |
I | 1 (1950) |
A legend in the bike world, he made appearances at historic events until very recently, when he started to suffer ill-health. Died recently, just after his 92nd birthday. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Riccardo Paletti | 15 Jun 1958 Milan |
13 Jun 1982 Montreal, Canada |
I | 2 (1982) |
Killed in a nasty accident in the 1982 Canadian GP. Credible F2 racer who struggled to get results in F1, a track at Varano de Melegrani, nr. Parma is named in his honour. (Last updated 11 Nov 2012) |
| Torsten Palm | 23 Jul 1947 Kristinehamn |
S | 1 (1975) |
Last raced in 1995, now runs a garage in Sweden. (Last updated 11 Nov 2012) | |
| Jonathan Palmer | 07 Nov 1956 Lewisham, London |
GB | 83 (1983-1989) |
Formed his own racing series, after working for the BBC - the Formula Palmer Audi series. It's first champion was Justin Wilson and Palmer became his manager. In 2004, Palmer and his two business partners became the new owners of 4 UK circuits - Cadwell Park, Oulton Park, Brands Hatch and Snetterton and they now have a pivotal role to play in the future of UK motorsport. Palmer also ran the revived, albeit shortlived, F2 series. Son Jolyon is now racing. (Last updated 8 Dec 2012) | |
| Olivier Panis | 02 Sep 1966 Oullins, Lyon |
F | 157 (1994-2004) |
When he left F1, he worked as a test driver and then eased back into the sport through ice-racing, before becoming a sportscar and GT driver. From the start of 2012, he is only racing in French GT's (partly) and the Andros Trophy, after deciding to retire from all other racing. (Last updated 15 Dec 2012) | |
| Giorgio Pantano | 04 Feb 1979 Conselve, Padua |
I | 14 (2004) |
Very successful in F3000/GP2, finally winning the title in 2008, less so with Jordan in F1. A F1 drive didn't materialise straight after his GP2 win and so Pantano went into the Auto GP series, amongst other one-off drive in various series, including the IRL (both in 2011 and 2012), but finding a full drive has been very difficult since then. In 2013, Giorgio will spend a whole season racing in the Karting World Championship as well as driving in the GT Open Series. (Last updated 26 Apr 2013) | |
| Massimiliano Papis | 03 Oct 1969 Como |
I | 7 (1995) |
Was in ASCAR briefly, now back in the US, firstly in CART, then in ALMS and now in Grand-Am and NASCAR Nationwide series. Also appears at the Indy 500. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) | |
| Michael Parkes | 24 Sep 1931 Richmond, Surrey |
28 Aug 1977 Riva Presso Chieri, nr. Turin, Italy |
GB | 6 (1959-1967) |
Became involved with management with Ferrari, whilst continuing to race from time to time, before his sad death in a road accident near Turin where his car collided with a lorry. |
| Reg Parnell | 02 Jul 1911 Derby |
07 Jan 1964 Derby |
GB | 6 (1950-1954) |
Team owner up until his death from peritonitis after a routine appendix operation. |
| Tim Parnell | 25 Jun 1932 Derby |
GB | 2 (1959-1963) |
Took over his father Reg's teams on his death in 1964. Although a director of both the BRDC and Derby County FC, he is mostly now retired, still living in Derbyshire. Often attends reunions. (Last updated 11 Nov 2012) | |
| Johnnie Parsons | 04 Jul 1918 Los Angeles, California |
08 Sep 1984 Van Nuys, California |
USA | 9 (1950-1958) |
Winner of the rain-hit 1950 race, Parsons later became Chief Steward for the USAC midget division on the West Coast in the early 1970's. |
| Riccardo Patrese | 17 Apr 1954 Padua |
I | 256 (1977-1993) |
Now more or less retired, works in PR and kept fit playing tennis and by taking part in show jumping and skiing! This came in handy when it meant a surprise return to racing, in the Grand Prix Masters series and a F1 test with Honda in 2008. Also works in TV and visits and drives in historic events. (Last updated 11 Nov 2012) | |
| Al Pease | 15 Oct 1921 Darlington, Yorkshire (Now Durham), England |
CDN | 2 (1967-1969) |
Still very much alive, he is retired and living in Tennessee, and although he suffered a stroke in 2011, is making a good recovery. Mainly does car restoring in his spare time. Still follows the sport closely on television and still appears at historic events. Not only born in Britain, but lived there until he served abroad, for the British Army, in India, Rhodesia and Egypt. Because of these tours, he didn't return to the UK, and emigrated to the USA, and then Canada and initially became an illustrator, before moving into the car and racing businesses. (Last updated 19 Apr 2012) | |
| Roger Penske | 20 Feb 1937 Shaker Heights, Ohio |
USA | 2 (1961-1962) |
Still runs his legendary Penske outfit but now in the IRL and ALMS. He also has interests in NASCAR. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) | |
| Cesare Perdisa | 21 Oct 1932 Bologna |
10 May 1998 Bologna |
I | 7 (1955-1957) |
Became a businessman after his early retirement form racing. |
| Sergio Perez | 26 Dec 1989 Guadalajara |
MEX | 38 (2011- ) |
GP2 championship runner-up in 2010 who moved up to F1 with Sauber in 2011, and stayed there in 2012, doing so well, that he moved to McLaren in 2013. (Last updated 13 May 2013) | |
| Luis Perez Sala | 15 May 1959 Barcelona |
E | 26 (1988-1989) |
Was team principal to the HRT F1 team, until they collapsed, after a spell as an advisor. Is a team management consultant, but is also closely involved with young driver programmes. Now retired from a long racing career which included GT and touring car racing. Lives in Barcelona. (Last updated 8 Dec 2012) | |
| Larry Perkins | 18 Mar 1950 Murrayville, Victoria |
AUS | 11 (1974-1977) |
Retired as a driver in 2003, but still owns, runs and is senior engineer of Perkins Engineering. Also restores vintage farm tractors and runs a museum dedicated to them. (Last updated 11 Nov 2012) | |
| Xavier Perrot | 01 Feb 1932 Zurich |
08 Dec 2008 Zurich |
CH | 1 (1969) |
Died after a long period of ill-health. Ran a garage for a while and was a huge help to Peter Sauber when he set up his team. Retired from racing after marrying, but still followed the sport until his death. (Last updated 11 Nov 2012) |
| Henri Pescarolo | 25 Sep 1942 Montfermeil, nr. Paris |
F | 57 (1968-1976) |
Involved with ELF - now a young driver tutor and mentor. Continued racing until around 2005, then concentrated on his successful, title-winning endurance team recently. Since 2010, finance has caused a number of hiatuses from the sport, and the team was liquidated in 2013. Henri is likely to stay in sportscars in some capacity, even as a consultant for the time being. (Last updated 9 Jan 2013) | |
| Alessandro Pesenti-Rossi | 31 Aug 1942 Bergamo |
I | 3 (1976) |
Still alive, living near Gerosa. Private entrant, who was capable in F2 but F1 was a step too far. Retired from racing in 1978. (Last updated 11 Nov 2012) | |
| Jiggs Peters | 28 Sep 1920 Metuchen, New Jersey |
25 Dec 1993 Pittstown, New Jersey |
USA | 0 (1955) |
Real name Fred, he has been unusually active since death, as his ashes have been taken by a friend to parties and for a ride in a midget car! (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Josef Peters | 16 Sep 1914 Dusseldorf |
24 Apr 2001 Dusseldorf |
D | 1 (1952) |
Solid but unspectacular sports car stalwart of the 1950's. |
| Ronnie Peterson | 14 Feb 1944 Orebro |
11 Sep 1978 Milan, Italy |
S | 123 (1970-1978) |
Died of injuries sustained in a start-line crash in the Italian GP at Monza. Hugely pouplar, this fast and spectacular driver was brilliant in F2, before leaving us with many top ballsy drives in F1 to remember him by. (Last updated 11 Nov 2012) |
| Vitaly Petrov | 08 Sep 1984 Vyborg, nr. St Petersburg |
RUS | 53 (2010- 2012) |
Currently out of a drive after spells with Renault and Caterham. (Last updated 13 Apr 2013) | |
| Alfredo Pian | 21 Oct 1912 Las Rosas, Santa Fe |
25 Jul 1990 Las Rosas, Santa Fe |
RA | 0 (1950) |
Decent and veteran endurance and road racer in his native land, his one GP attempt was, rather unusually at Monaco, rather than locally. |
| Charles Pic | 15 Feb 1990 Montelimar |
F | 22 (2012- ) |
New F1 driver for Marussia (Last updated 13 May 2013) | |
| Francois Picard | 26 Apr 1921 Villefranche-sur-Saone |
29 Apr 1996 Nice |
F | 1 (1958) |
Mainly in privately entered Ferrari sportscars, with many class wins. His career was ended by a crash at the Moroccan GP and he then retired to live in Monaco. |
| Ernie Pieterse | 04 Jul 1938 Parow, Bellville |
ZA | 2 (1962-1965) |
Useful national racer. Largely keeps a low profile, but is a visitor to historic events in his home country. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) | |
| Paul Pietsch | 20 Jun 1911 Freiburg im Breisgau |
31 May 2012 Karlsruhe |
D | 3 (1950-1952) |
Pre-war starlet, who at the age of 100 at death, was the last surviving pre-war Grand Prix driver and the first ever Grand Prix driver to reach 100. He was well enough to celebrate his centenary at a host of special events to mark the occasion. The founder of Das Auto and Motor Presse publishing concerns, the latter of which arranged a special rally in his honour, the Paul Pietsch Classic. (Last updated 15 Jul 2012) |
| Marvin Pifer | 13 Mar 1928 Adrian, Michigan |
04 May 1974 Adrian, Michigan |
USA | 0 (1952) |
Marvin''s son, of the same name, competed in the same machinery - sprint cars! Marvin himself ran a jeep and Triumph dealership in Adrian, but was diagnosed with MS in 1963. By 1968, he was in a wheelchair, 4 years later he sold his business and 2 years after that, the illness had killed him. Started racing under his brother Aldon''s name. Fought in Korea, and as well as his dealerships, also ran an automotive repair business. (Last updated 4 Oct 2010) |
| Andre Pilette | 06 Oct 1918 Paris, France |
27 Dec 1993 Etterbeek |
B | 9 (1951-1964) |
Ran a racing school at Zolder until the late 1980's. |
| Teddy Pilette | 26 Jul 1942 Brussels |
B | 1 (1974-1977) |
Later a constructor in the sport. He appears nowadays at many historic meetings and also has a role in his late father's racing school. He also has many links on the web to historic motorsport. (Last updated 6 Apr 2010) | |
| Luigi Piotti | 27 Oct 1913 Milan |
19 Apr 1971 Godiasco |
I | 6 (1955-1958) |
Businessman and amateur driver who was mainly in sportscars. Won the Hyeres 12 hours in 1954 with Trintignant. |
| David Piper | 02 Dec 1930 Edgware, Middlesex |
GB | 2 (1959-1960) |
Despite having part of his leg amputated after a crash in 1970, David still races and appears at historic events. Also runs a Ferrari garage near his home in Surrey. He is also involved in historic racing administration. (Last updated 11 Nov 2012) | |
| Nelsinho Piquet | 25 Jul 1985 Heidelberg, Germany |
BR | 28 (2008-2009) |
Son of Nelson. Promoted to the Renault F1 drive in 2008 and stayed there in 2009, but when he was dropped, he revealed that he crashed deliberately in the Singapore GP of 2008. He agreed a deal with the FIA that he wouldn''t be punished for cheating, but has found that much of F1 snubbed him anyway and is now in the US, racing first in NASCAR trucks and now in the NASCAR sprint series itself. (Last updated 23 Feb 2013) | |
| Nelson Piquet | 17 Aug 1952 Rio de Janeiro |
BR | 204 (1978-1991) |
His racing career came to a virtual halt in 1992 after a big crash at Indianapolis and he still suffers slightly from the crash injuries. Now a grandfather, he is a successful businessman with a satellite tracking company in Brazil. He also keenly follows and guides his son, Nelson Angelo. Piquet Sr ran the GP2 team which featured his son, but sold it after Nelsinho's progression, but still acts as a consultant. Has now retired, his las race being a win at the Mille Mihila with his son, Bouchut and Castroneves in 2006. Nelson's youngest son Pedro has also started racing! (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) | |
| Renato Pirocchi | 23 Jun 1933 Notaresco, Teramo |
29 Jul 2002 Chieti |
I | 1 (1961) |
After retirement, Renato became President of the Automobile Club in Pescara and helped re-launch the Svolte di Popoli annual festival. He died in 2002, after suffering kidney problems. (Last updated 8 Mar 2013) |
| Didier Pironi | 26 Mar 1952 Villecresnes, nr. Paris |
23 Aug 1987 off the Isle of Wight, England |
F | 70 (1978-1982) |
Forced to retire from F1 due to leg injuries, Pironi moved to powerboating but perished in a crash in 1987. (Last updated 11 Nov 2012) |
| Emanuele Pirro | 12 Jan 1962 Rome |
I | 37 (1989-1991) |
One of sportscars and touring cars modern legends. He won Sebring in 2000 and took a hat-trick of Le Mans wins between 2000-2002. This is on top of touring car titles, a career he eked after leaving F1 and he also won the ALMS title in 2005. He won his 5th Le Mans in 2007. Raced in ALMS in 2008 but dropped in 2009, he is in Italian endurance events. Continues in this, plus some Le Mans series events in 2011 and some ALMS events in 2012. He also works in TV and in a more ambassadorial role in future and still keeps visiting historic events, as well as being a driver coach and mentor to the Kolles Audi team. (Last updated 11 Nov 2012) | |
| Antonio Pizzonia | 11 Sep 1980 Manaus |
BR | 20 (2003-2005) |
After missing out on a permanent drive in F1, he went to Champ Cars, then returned to Europe and GP2. Dropped midway through the season, he is racing in endurance events and touring cars in his homeland, as well as Grand-Am and the WEC. Also completes in triathlons. (Last updated 31 Mar 2013) | |
| Jacques Pollet | 02 Jul 1922 Roubaix |
16 Aug 1997 Paris |
F | 5 (1954-1955) |
Was Gordini's test driver who was promoted to race driver in sports cars and GP's after some strong performances. He also had a Le Mans class win to his credit during his career. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Ben Pon | 09 Dec 1936 Leiden |
NL | 1 (1962) |
Now owns and runs a hugely successful winery and lodge in California, USA. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) | |
| Dennis Poore | 19 Aug 1916 Paddington, London |
12 Feb 1987 Kensington, London |
GB | 2 (1952) |
A pivotal name behind the motoring magazine, Autosport, funding it due to his wealth. This came from his many business ventures. |
| Sam Posey | 26 May 1944 New York City, New York |
USA | 2 (1971-1972) |
Worked for Speedvision (commentated for over 10 years), and still occasionally on TV and also writes, paints and is a railroad expert, but has sadly been in ill-health recently. (Last updated 8 Dec 2012) | |
| Charles Pozzi | 27 Aug 1909 Paris |
28 Feb 2001 Levallois-Perret |
F | 1 (1950) |
Ran a huge Ferrari dealership, which ran advertising on the F1 cars in the late 70's. He was still involved in French motor sport, in one way or another until his recent death. |
| Ralph Pratt | 17 Mar 1910 Portage, Ohio |
15 Dec 1981 Fayetteville, Pennsylvania |
USA | 0 (1950) |
Midget legend who was Roger Penske's boyhood hero. Perhaps the greatest of them all, he took a colossal 142 wins in 4 years and even won, in the same day, three different races at different tracks in Ohio! (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Jackie Pretorius | 22 Nov 1934 Potchefstroom, Transvaal |
30 Mar 2009 Johannesburg |
ZA | 3 (1965-1973) |
A very popular man, he was a regular at historics and worked for many years for Wynn Oil. Sadly, robbers broke into his house twice - the first time the attack killed his wife and injured Jackie. Despite this, he still attended historic events and stayed upbeat, but when the 2nd attack happened, Jackie was badly injured, and after a spell in a coma, he died, leaving the whole South African motor racing world aghast and in mourning over his murder. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Ernesto Prinoth | 15 Apr 1923 Ortisei, Bolzano |
26 Nov 1981 Innsbruck, Austria |
I | 0 (1962) |
Became a successful manufacturer of snow-grooming vehicles. Died of a heart-attack whilst at work at the Innsbruck ski resort in Austria. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| David Prophet | 09 Oct 1937 Hong Kong |
29 Mar 1981 Silverstone, Northamptonshire |
GB | 2 (1963-1965) |
Killed in a helicopter crash, just after attending a race meeting in Silverstone. A Midlands based motor trader, he was decent in sportscars and club racing. |
| Alain Prost | 24 Feb 1955 Lorette, Saint-Chamond, nr. St. Etienne |
F | 199 (1980-1993) |
Took on the running of the Ligier team, renaming it Prost and started very well. But Panis' injury in 1997 led to a downfall in fortunes and Prost announced bankruptcy in 2002. After a well-deserved rest, he's back and indeed racing and winning, in the annual ice racing tournaments (Champion in 2007 and 2008, no less) and in French GT racing. Also works as a motorsport advisor and helps his son who is now racing. (Last updated 11 Nov 2012) | |
| Tom Pryce | 11 Jun 1949 Ruthin, Denbighshire, North Wales |
05 Mar 1977 Kyalami Circuit, South Africa |
GB | 42 (1974-1977) |
Killed in a horrific accident in the South African GP. Wales' greatest ever driver, this shy modest driver was extremely fast. Welsh speaking, he also worked at a garage and could've been a World Champion but for his death. (Last updated 11 Nov 2012) |
| David Purley | 26 Jan 1945 Bognor Regis, Sussex |
02 Jul 1985 off the coast, nr. Bognor Regis, Sussex |
GB | 7 (1973-1977) |
Heir to the Lec refrigeration company, this amazing man survived a whole lot of scrapes before his death in a biplane whilst performing aerobatics off the Sussex coast. (Last updated 11 Nov 2012) |
| Clive Puzey | 11 Jul 1941 Bulawayo |
RSR | 0 (1961) |
A major player in the main opposition movement in Zimbabwe to Robert Mugabe, Puzey ran a garage in Harare which was attacked in the first Zimbabwean uprising in 2000. Clive was shaken but unhurt, but has since emigrated to Australia. (Last updated 7 Jul 2010) |
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