Surtees Racing, known officially as Surtees Racing Organisation, holds a unique and unforgettable place in Formula One history. Founded by John Surtees, the only man to ever win world championships on both motorcycles and in Formula One cars, this small team dared to take on the giants of the sport in the early 1970s. This is a story about a team that didn’t just enter the race; it poured heart and soul into every lap, every turn, and every challenge.
The Start of a Dream
John Surtees wasn’t just any racer; he was a legend on both two wheels and four. After clinching the Formula One World Championship with Ferrari in 1964, Surtees decided to embark on a new adventure. In 1970, he created Surtees Racing Organisation. This wasn’t just a business venture for him; it was a passion project, a way to stay connected to the sport he loved, but on his own terms.
Taking the First Lap
Surtees Racing made its debut at the British Grand Prix in 1970. Their first car, the Surtees TS7, hit the track powered by a Cosworth DFV V8 engine. The team didn’t have the biggest budget or the most resources, but they had grit. John Surtees himself drove the car in that first season, scoring points and showing the world that this new team had something to offer. It wasn’t an easy road, but every point earned felt like a victory.
Racing Against the Odds
The early 1970s in Formula One were a time of rapid change. Teams were experimenting with all kinds of engine setups—V6s, V8s, V12s—each one trying to find that magic combination. For Surtees Racing, keeping up with these changes was like running a marathon with a sprinter’s speed. The team had the technical know-how, but with limited funds, every innovation came with a price. Yet, they kept fighting, kept pushing forward, because giving up just wasn’t in their DNA.
Nurturing Talent
One of the things that set Surtees Racing apart was its ability to spot and nurture talent. In 1976, a young driver named Alan Jones joined the team. Jones wasn’t yet the star he would become, but his time with Surtees Racing was a crucial part of his journey. He put in some remarkable performances, and while the car might not have been the fastest on the grid, Jones’s skill shone through. For him, and for Surtees Racing, it was about more than just the results; it was about the love of racing.
A Diverse Era in Formula One
The time when Surtees Racing competed was also a period of growing diversity in Formula One. Drivers from all backgrounds were making their mark on the sport. Jewish drivers like Jody Scheckter and François Cevert were proving that the sport belonged to everyone, regardless of where they came from. Although Surtees Racing didn’t have any Jewish drivers, the team was part of a Formula One scene that was becoming richer and more inclusive. This diversity added another layer of depth to a sport that was already full of passion and drama.
Moments of Triumph and Struggle
Surtees Racing had its moments in the spotlight. The team’s best year was 1972 when they finished fifth in the Constructors’ Championship. The TS9B car they used that season was competitive, and they racked up points in several races. For a small team like Surtees, finishing in the top five was a big deal. But as the years went on, the challenges mounted. Sponsorship was hard to secure, and the costs of competing kept rising. By the mid-1970s, it became clear that staying in the race was getting tougher.
The late 1970s brought even more challenges. Ground effect aerodynamics and turbocharged engines were changing the game, and only the teams with the deepest pockets could afford to stay ahead. Surtees Racing, always battling financial constraints, struggled to keep up. By 1978, after years of hard work and dedication, John Surtees made the heartbreaking decision to close the team’s Formula One operations. It was the end of an era, but not the end of the story.
The Legacy of Surtees Racing
Surtees Racing might not have a trophy cabinet filled with championships, but its legacy is about much more than just winning. It’s about a team that gave everything it had, day in and day out, fueled by a love of racing. John Surtees, who had already reached the pinnacle of success as a driver, brought the same determination to his role as a team owner. He wasn’t just running a team; he was building a dream, one race at a time.
The team provided a stepping stone for drivers like Alan Jones, who went on to achieve great things in the sport. It also stood as a reminder that in Formula One, it’s not just the winners who make history. It’s the fighters, the underdogs, the teams who keep going when the odds are stacked against them.