Post 1945 Drivers

Mike Hailwood

English

Died: 1981

Best known as a nine-time motor­cycle world champion, and 12-time winner of the Isle of Man's Tourist Trophy, Mike moved to four­wheeled sport in 1963 in Formula Junior. He was invited to move to Formula One in 1964, driving an elderly Lotus for Reg Parnell. At the end of 1967 he decided to give up motorcycle racing and concentrate on cars, taking part in many sports car events, then winning in Formula 5000 in a car entered by another motorcycling world champion, John Surtees. Mike returned to Formula One in 1971, finishing fourth in the Italian Grand Prix after leading several times. Second place in the 1972 Italian Grand Prix was his best result. Mike's Formula One career was brought to an end when he crashed his McLaren in the 1974 German Grand Prix, breaking a leg. He dabbled with motorcycles until 1979, then retired. Tragically, he and his two children were killed in a road accident two years later.

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Author: ArchitectPage