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 |
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 and Roscoe H Rann.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nino Vaccarella |
04 Mar 1933 Palermo, Sicily |
|
I |
4 (1961-1965) |
A living legend in Sicily. He is now retired. A qualified, but not practising lawyer, he is now often seen at historic events. |
| Charles van Acker |
14 Mar 1912 Brussels |
31 May 1998 South Bend, Indiana, USA |
B |
0 (1950) |
Later became a mechanic after his successful driving career ended. Mainly based in the US, he built and later ran the speedway track in South Bend. |
| Eric van de Poele |
30 Sep 1961 Verviers, nr. Spa |
|
B |
5 (1991-1992) |
Still in sportscars and was also in the Grand Prix Masters. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Andre van der Lof |
23 Aug 1919 Emmen |
24 May 1990 Enschede |
NL |
1 (1952) |
Wealthy businessman who manufactured electrical cable. Later owned an extensive classic car collection. Raced on until the 1980's in historics, but raced in rallies around the time of his F1 spell. |
| Gijs van Lennep |
16 Mar 1942 Bloemendaal |
|
NL |
8 (1971-1975) |
Now teaches at an Audi racing school, he also does occasional media and PR work and attends historic events. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Basil van Rooyen |
19 Apr 1939 Johannesburg |
|
ZA |
2 (1968-1969) |
Lives in New South Wales, Australia, but still has links and a farm in South Africa. Started off as an engineer and motorcyclist before becoming a fine driver in sports and touring cars. His racing career was ended by a huge F1 crash and the deaths, shortly after, of McLaren and Courage. He then ran a performance company and a package manufacturing business. He emigrated to Australia in 1987 to set up a manufacturing business and retired in 2005. He has since patented a pool cleaning device, now in production and still follows the sport and plays tennis. He gave oldracingcars.com an interview, which can be found at www.oldracingcars.info/interviews/basil_van_rooyen Read interview. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Bob Veith |
01 Nov 1924 Tulare, California |
29 Mar 2006 Santa Rosa, California |
USA |
5 (1956-1960) |
Died recently. Before the onset of ill-health, Veith went round America giving road safety talks. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Jos Verstappen |
04 Mar 1972 Montfoort |
|
NL |
107 (1994-2003) |
Was in A1 GP for the Netherlands, now occasionally in endurance events. Also has a number of businesses, including a travel firm and a heavy involvement in his father's karting circuit to take up his time. He also races in karts in Belgium and Holland, as does his son, Max, and runs a kart team as well. (Last updated 6 Apr 2010) |
| Sebastian Vettel |
03 Jul 1987 Heppenheim |
|
D |
51 (2007- ) |
BMW's young test and reserve driver, who subbing for the injured Kubica, became the youngest ever points scorer in F1's history. Later moved to Toro Rosso, where he became the sport's youngest ever winner. From 2009 onwards, he races for Red Bull. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Gilles Villeneuve |
18 Jan 1950 Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Chambly, Quebec |
08 May 1982 Louvain, Belgium |
CDN |
67 (1977-1982) |
A true Grand Prix legend, Gilles was killed in a horrific crash in qualifying for the Belgian GP at Zolder. |
| Jacques Villeneuve |
09 Apr 1971 Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Chambly, Quebec |
|
CDN |
163 (1996-2006) |
Dropped by the BAR team in 2003, Villeneuve took a long sabbatical in 2004, but returned to F1, first via Renault, then, permamently, with Sauber, in 2005. Stayed with them, in their new guise as BMW, in 2006, but he was again dropped, and left F1. After spending time with his family and appearing in Le Mans, Asian Speedcars, NASCAR and the Craftsmen Truck Series, Jacques is currently without a drive, although he has had a few attempts in sportscars. He is also has his music and restaurant business interests and runs a driving academy in Quebec. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Jacques Villeneuve Sr. |
04 Nov 1953 Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Chambly, Quebec |
|
CDN |
0 (1981-1983) |
Raced on until 1993. For the past 9 years has successfully been racing snowmobiles, but in 2008, he was badly injured in a snowmobiling accident, which saw him break his pelvis and rule him out of racing for a year. However, he recovered and returned to racing, only to be injured in another crash in 2009. That wasn't so bad injury wise and he is still racing in snow racing events. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Luigi Villoresi |
16 May 1909 Milan |
24 Aug 1997 Modena |
I |
31 (1950-1956) |
Great man and driver, sadly ill and financially bereft in his final years. Despite this, he tried to play an active part in historic meetings, right up to the mid '90's. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Ottorino Volonterio |
07 Dec 1917 Orselina |
10 Mar 2003 Lugano |
CH |
3 (1954-1957) |
Was a lawyer for many years. A nobleman, he was an enthusiastic, popular but quite slow amateur. He carried on racing until as late as 1973. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Rikky von Opel |
14 Oct 1947 New York, USA |
|
FL |
10 (1973-1974) |
Was in New York with his Opel family firm, but now retired and enjoying a peaceful life in Thailand. |
| Jo Vonlanthen |
31 May 1942 St. Ursen |
|
CH |
1 (1975) |
Was a garage owner when he entered F1 - he still is today! His base is near Locarno. He also organises F1 racing exhibitions and has a large private F1 collection. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Bill Vukovich |
13 Dec 1918 Alameda, California |
30 May 1955 Indianapolis, Indiana |
USA |
5 (1951-1955) |
Killed in the 1955 Indy 500, whilst on course for his 3rd successive win. His son and grandson have followed him into racing. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
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