John Watson

John Marshall Watson (born 4 May 1946) is a retired racing driver from Northern Ireland. He competed in F1.5 from 1973-1980, missing only the 1978 season. In his rookie year in 1974 he'd tie on points with James Hunt, though ultimately lose on countback, before going on to win two World Drivers' Championships outright in 1976 and 1979. His victory in 1979 would be the last for a British driver until Martin Brundle won the World Drivers' Championship with Ligier in 1993.

## Career

### Hexagon

Watson's debut came at the 1973 British Grand Prix piloting a Brabham BT37, entered officially by the works team but managed by privateers, Hexagon. For the final race of the year, at Watkins Glen, he'd get a shot driving the third works Brabham BT42, the same design that had taken Carlos Reutemann to three wins and the F1.5 Drivers' crown that season. Unfortunately neither race was particularly successful for John, as at Silverstone he ran out of fuel on the 36th lap and his engine failed only seven laps into the U.S Grand Prix.

For 1974, Watson and Hexagon would compete together full time using customer Brabham BT42's and BT44's. In his first full season of competition 'Wattie' definitely impressed, taking his first career win at Zandvoort, his first pole at Monza, three fastest laps, and six podium finishes, with all of it culminating come seasons end with Watson tied on points with eventual Drivers' Champion, James Hunt.

### Surtees

Despite decent success, the small Hexagon outfit pulled out of F1.5 at the end of 1974, looking to focus on British series instead of international competitions. This left Watson looking for a drive for 1975, and he'd find one as the sole, and therefore lead driver at Surtees. Good results would be minimal, despite occasionally having decent pace, such as was shown in Spain where a potential win slipped through his fingers. Battling with Mario Andretti's Parnelli for the overall race lead, Wattie would be forced to pit for a checkover after suffering vibrations, eventually coming home sixth, with Andretti dropping out at mid distance with a suspension issue. One podium would be all the fruit his time with Surtees would bare, although admittedly the non-championship Race of Champions, International Trophy, and Swiss Grand Prix events would all go fairly well for John, with him finishing 2nd, 2nd, and 3rd respectively out of the F1.5 runners.

For the German Grand Prix he'd partner Ronnie Peterson in the second JPS Lotus. Qualifying went well with Watson beating the Swede by over two seconds around the Nordschleife, but in the race typical Lotus fragility struck both cars with Peterson retiring on the first lap with clutch gremlins and Watson going out on the next with a suspension problem.

### Penske

During practice for the 1975 Austrian Grand Prix, American driver Mark Donohue of Penske, suffered a tyre failure at the Österreichring's first corner which sent him spearing through catch fencing and advertising billboards lining the circuit. One track marshal lost their life and another was injured, meanwhile Donohue, who initially seemed to only suffer minor injuries, would also pass away two days later from a brain hemorrhage. This meant the one car Penske team was in need of a driver, a role Watson would fill for the season-ending U.S Grand Prix. A fifth place finish got him signed on to lead the grieving team for 1976.

## Results

Key: **Bold** = Pole Position; *Italics* = Fastest Lap; (Brackets) = Result/score did not count towards championship total;

\*- Half points were awarded as less than 75% of the scheduled distance was completed.