Formula 1 and MotoGP both have their own legends, but imagine being the only person to conquer the very top in both? Well, that’s exactly who John Surtees is, a name that deserves a lot more hype, because he did what nobody else could pull off, even today.
Who Was John Surtees?
John Surtees was a British motorsport ace, born in Tatsfield, Surrey, in 1934. He grew up surrounded by bikes thanks to his parents, who ran a motorcycle shop. That’s where his passion for racing kicked in. Before you knew it, John was riding, wrenching, and winning races, all while barely out of his teens.
The MotoGP King
John Surtees started out in motorcycle racing long before MotoGP even became a thing. Back then, it was called the 500cc Motorcycle World Championship, and John absolutely smashed it. He won his first world title in 1956, then dominated from 1958 to 1960, taking home the 350cc and 500cc championships three years in a row. By the time he was done with two wheels, Surtees was a seven-time motorcycle world champion, with legend status right there.
Switching To F1: The Big Move
Most riders would have just retired as a motorcycle hero, but Surtees wanted more. In 1960, he jumped straight into Formula 1. Guess what? He scored his first podium on just his second Grand Prix, which is basically unheard of. By 1963, Ferrari, the biggest name in motorsport, snapped him up. Just a year later, John Surtees won the F1 World Championship in 1964, making him the first and ONLY driver to become world champion on both two and four wheels.
The Ferrari Years and Beyond
Racing for Ferrari made Surtees a superstar. 1964 was especially wild; he clinched the title by just one point after a dramatic season finale. After Ferrari, he drove for teams like Honda and even started his own F1 team. He raced until 1972, then focused on running his team before stepping away from the sport. But no matter where he went, Surtees’ legacy as an all-round legend never faded.
Why Is Surtees’ Feat So Unique?
John Surtees did something that’s literally impossible today. F1 and MotoGP have their own specialists now, but back then, raw talent and guts let him master both. He was fast, fearless, and fully committed, whether he was on two wheels or four. If motorsport had a hall of legends, Surtees would have his own wing.
John Surtees passed away in 2017, but his story lives on as one of motorsport’s greatest. He proved that pushing boundaries and chasing new challenges is what truly sets legends apart.
So next time you hear about champions in F1 or MotoGP, remember John Surtees, the one and only king of both worlds.
Also Read: Remembering Anthoine Hubert: The Driver Who Makes Spa Special And Haunting
