Jack Wilson

Edinburgh, Scotland

**Sir Jack Wilson** is a British former racing driver and the current President of the FIA. He is the son of the four-time Formula One Champion Alexander Wilson.

Jack himself is a four-time Formula One champion, having won his first title in 1989 before defending it in 1990. He won his third championship in 1992 and remained competitive until winning his final title in 1997. He retired from Formula One at the end of the 1998 season, but stayed on with McLaren in an advisory role whilst also pushing for greater safety in the sport.

Wilson was inducted into the Motorsport Hall of Fame in 2005.

## Early Life

Jack Alexander Wilson was born on 1st December 1960 in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Alexander and Jane Wilson. His father was a racing driver who competed in Formula One and eventually went on to win four Formula One championships. Jane worked as a hairdresser.

Due to his father's career, Jack had a privileged upbringing and was educated at George Heriot's, a private school situated in the centre of Edinburgh. Although Jack excelled at school, he was often caught in trouble and was known to play pranks on the school teachers as well as other pupils.

Jack's father was involved in a heavy crash at the 1972 Monaco Grand Prix and he was pronounced dead by the time he reached the hospital. Jack was attending school at the time and was delivered the message of his father's passing by his history teacher after the end of class. Although he saw his father very little throughout the year due to his busy career and travelling schedule, Jack looked up to him and saw Alexander as his hero.

## Early Racing Career

After years of opposition from his mother following the death of Alexander Wilson, Jack started kart racing when he was 14. He initially strugged at racing and was involved in several heavy crashes before he found his feet, eventually going on to win his first title two years later, before challenging for the British Karting Championship in 1977. After a fierce championship fight with his rival John Daly, Wilson went on to win the Championship in his first year, before remaining in 1978 to defend his title. Jack was invited to the 1978 British Grand Prix by his father's old team boss Colin Chapman and this was his first taste of Grand Prix action.

Wilson graduated to Formula Ford in 1979, remaining there for two years. He finished 4th in the championship in 1979, before going on to win the title in 1980. He is known for being quiet and shy outside of the car but was exceptionally fast in almost anything he drove.

Jack competed British Formula Three for two years from 1982-1983, driving a Ralt RT3/81 with the John Mackintosh Racing team. He finished in 4th in his first season, before going on to win the championship in his second season with the team.

## Formula One

#### **Lotus (1984 - 1986)**

Lotus boss Peter Warr had spectated several of Wilson's Formula Three races and was impressed by his confidence and maturity at the circuit as well as his outright speed. He offered Wilson a test in a Lotus Formula One car late in 1983, which Jack gladly accepted. The test took place at Brands Hatch and despite much of the day being interrupted by heavy showers, Jack managed to record 64 laps, impressing Warr enough to offer Wilson a race seat for the upcoming season.

Wilson's first Formula One season was plagued by reliability issues and bad luck which cost him several high finishes. After retiring from the first two races of the season, Wilson took his first points at the Belgian Grand Prix. After qualifying in 6th at the Monaco Grand Prix, Jack made several bold overtakes and found himself in 4th before Vivaldo Margheriti crashed out of the race. Now in 3rd, he pushed up to the back of Renault's Skylar West but was unable to find a way past before the race finish. Wilson finished in 3rd (later 2nd after Renault's disqualification) and shedded tears on the podium, dedicating his podium appearance to his late father Alexander Wilson, who had passed away at the circuit after a crash during the 1972 Monaco Grand Prix. His first podium was the turning point of Wilson's season and he gained the upper hand on his teammate Bruce Kerrigan during the second half of the season. He finished the season in 10th in the championship.

## Personal Life

Wilson resides in Monaco in an apartment he purchased in 1985. He rarely gives interviews to the media about his private life and his relationship status was unknown for many years until the early 1990's when he was confirmed to be dating the British actress and model Alexa Evans. The relationship ended in 1993 and Wilson started a relationship with the fellow Formula One driver and champion Otto Makkinen. Makkinen became Wilson's teammate in 1996, creating a press frenzy. Wilson and Makkinen currently have an apartment together in Monaco, along with their several dogs: Timo, Rolph, and Seppo.

Jack helped to test and develop the McLaren F1 roadcar in the early 1990's and was gifted the 27th production car when its development was completed. Jack himself is an avid car collector, with a collection including his father's 1962 Jaguar E-type and a Ferrari F40.

Wilson released his autobiography after leaving in 2000, detailing several untold stories from his racing career as well as his personal life.

Wilson was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2009, recognising his services to motorsport and improving road safety.

## Racing Record

#### **Complete Formula One World Championship Results**

Parenthesis denote total points before the application of drop rounds.