Surtees started his motorcycling career in 1952 scoring his first point in his debut race. Then in 1956, winning his first 500cc title with MV Agusta. Then took his next three 500cc titles in a row 1958 to 1960, which included winning three 350cc titles in a row between 1958 till 1960 and winning numerous times at the Isle of Man TT in that period.
While winning his fourth 500cc title in 1960, Surtees switched over to four wheels with Team Lotus, with his first Grand Prix at Monaco, then during his second Grand Prix at Siverstone, Surtees finished second in the British Grand Prix behind Sir Jack Brabham.
Then in 1963, Surtees moved to Ferrari, which includes winning his first Grand Prix in Germany at Nurburgring beating Jim Clark by over a minute. Then in 1964, Surtees won two more Grand Prixs wins at Nurburgring and Monza, to win his only F1 Drivers' title and Ferrari another F1 Constructors' Championship.
Then in 1967, Surtees moved to Honda winning Honda their first Formula 1 Grand Prix win at Monza and last for Surtees in Formula 1.
Then in 1970, Surtees started his own Grand Prix team called Team Surtees. Then in 1971, John Surtees retired from his Formula 1 career later that season with one Formula 1 World Drivers' Titles and six Grand Prix wins. Stayed in Formula 1 as team boss to his own team, till the end 1978 when the team folded to end his Formula 1 career for good.
Surtees had one son and two daughters, Henry his only son became involved in motorsport in the lower formula's. However, Henry was killed in a Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch in July 2009.
Motorsport's only person to have won World Championships on both two and four wheels has gone but not forgotten.
R.I.P. John Surtees
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