John Surtees

John Surtees was born in Surrey, England, in 1934 and grew up around motorcycles through his father’s business. He became one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time, winning multiple world titles with MV Agusta before switching to cars. That move was extraordinary: few riders could even attempt such a transition, and Surtees proved very quickly that his talent could transfer to Formula 1. After racing for teams including Lotus, Cooper and Lola, Surtees joined Ferrari and won the Formula 1 World Championship in 1964. He remains the only person to win world championships on both two wheels and four. His driving was strong and precise, and his understanding of machinery made him especially valuable in an era when technical feedback could shape a car’s development. Surtees later ran his own team and remained active across motorsport as a driver, constructor and respected elder figure. He died in 2017. His legacy is unique: not simply an F1 champion or a motorcycle legend, but the only racer to stand at the top of both worlds. That achievement gives him one of the most distinctive careers in motorsport history.