#NoMatterWhat - Top 5 Ferrari drivers of all time

#2 John Surtees

Surtees’ versatility and talent made him a motorsport icon

Few motorsports icons are as ubiquitously legendary as the great John Surtees. The only F1 driver who also had multiple championships in MotoGP, Surtees’ speed could never be doubted - he is still the only driver to have won championships on two wheels and four.

He was MotoGP champion for three straight years - from 1958 to 1960, progressing to Formula One at the end of the year. He struggled in his initial years in the sport, but once he found his wings, Surtees quickly became one of the quickest men on the track.

Moving to the Scuderia in 1964, Surtees took his first F1 win in Germany that year, finishing with 3 podiums in total to conclude the season at 4th in the championships. The following year, he was closely locked in a battle for the championship with two other Britons - reigning champion Jim Clark and future champion Graham Hill.

Surtees finished only 6 of the 10 races that season - but in a demonstration of his absolute skill, ended each of those 6 on the podium. He is currently the oldest surviving Formula One World Champion, and continues to support motorsports from behind the scenes.

Tragically, although Surtees’ son Henry followed his iconic father into motorsport, progressing to Formula Two, the 18-year-old was hit by a wheel from the car of his competitor Jack Clarke, losing consciousness instantly. He would pass away in hospital later that day.

His father instituted an award in his honour the following year, In 2010, the Henry Surtees Award was launched, to be awarded annually for the most outstanding performance by a rising motor racer.