F1 - Surtees - Spark

John Surtees was a British motorsport legend who is best known for his achievements both in Formula 1 and motorcycle racing. He was the only person to have won World Championships in both Formula 1 and motorcycle racing—a rare feat in motorsport history.

Before entering Formula 1, John Surtees was already a legend in the motorcycle racing world, where he won seven World Championships (four in the 500cc class and three in the 350cc class) between 1956 and 1960.

Surtees transitioned to Formula 1 in the early 1960s and had a highly successful career, with notable achievements including winning the 1964 Formula 1 World Championship driving for Ferrari.

After his own successful driving career, John Surtees transitioned into a team owner role by founding the Surtees F1 Team in 1969. The team competed in Formula 1 for nearly a decade, from 1970 to 1978. Surtees created the team after securing funding and technical support, marking his entry into team ownership. The team used Surtees TS7 cars for its early campaigns.

The team debuted in Formula 1 during the 1970 season. Despite its relative newness and lack of experience compared to established teams, Surtees F1 managed to attract attention due to John Surtees’ name and legacy.

John Surtees continued to oversee the team until the end of the 1978 season. By then, the team had been hit by financial issues, and its performance had not improved sufficiently to remain competitive in the increasingly professional and expensive world of Formula 1. After 1978, the Surtees F1 Team was sold, and John Surtees left the world of Formula 1 team ownership.