In all of history it has happened only once. Only one man has ever won the World Championship in both motorcycle and auto racing– John Surtees. In 1956, at the wee age of 22 yrs old, he became the 500cc motorcycle World Champion. Then in 1960, he switched full-time to auto racing, and was crowned Formula One World Champion in 1964. At 26 yrs of age, he’d become the only man ever to win a World Championship on two wheels and four. There has been no one since, and perhaps nevermore.
Grand Prix motorcycle racing career | |
Active years | 1952 – 1960 |
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Teams | Norton, MV Agusta |
Grands Prix | 49 |
Championships | 350cc – 1958, 1959, 1960 500cc- 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960 |
Wins | 38 |
Podium finishes | 45 |
Pole positions | N/A |
Fastest laps | 34 |
First Grand Prix | 1952 500cc Ulster Grand Prix |
First win | 1955 250cc Ulster Grand Prix |
Last win | 1960 500cc Nations Grand Prix |
Last Grand Prix | 1960 500cc Nations Grand Prix |
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May 10, 1964 — Ferrari designer Mauro Forghieri (ITA) manages a yawn as driver John Surtees (GBR) prepares for practice to begin in the pits. Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo — Image by © Phipps/Sutton Images/Corbis
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Formula One World Championship career | |
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Active years | 1960 – 1972 |
Teams | Lotus, Cooper, Lola, Ferrari,Honda, BRM, McLaren, Surtees |
Races | 113 (111 starts) |
Championships | 1 (1964) |
Wins | 6 |
Podiums | 24 |
Career points | 180 |
Pole positions | 8 |
Fastest laps | 10 |
First race | 1960 Monaco Grand Prix |
First win | 1963 German Grand Prix |
Last win | 1967 Italian Grand Prix |
Last race | 1972 Italian Grand Prix |
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