Peter Gethin
Peter Gethin (21 February 1940 – 5 December 2011) was a British racing driver who participated in 31 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix from 1970 to 1974, achieving one victory in the 1971 Italian Grand Prix—the closest finish in F1 history by a margin of 0.01 seconds.[1][2] Born in Ewell, Surrey, as the son of prominent jockey Ken Gethin—who won major races like the 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes—he began his motorsport career in the late 1960s after working in a garage following school.[1][2] Gethin later transitioned into motorsport management, including roles as team manager for Toleman in 1984 and founder of Peter Gethin Racing, before establishing a driving school at Goodwood.[1][3] Gethin's early success came in junior formulae, where he won the British Formula 5000 championship in 1969 with a McLaren M10A for Church Farm Racing, repeating the title in 1970.[4][2] He progressed to Formula 2, securing a victory at the 1972 Pau Grand Prix, and entered F1 that year with McLaren following the death of team founder Bruce McLaren, driving the M14A in several races without points finishes.[4][3] Midway through 1971, he switched to BRM, where he claimed his iconic win at Monza's Italian Grand Prix in the P160, edging out Ronnie Peterson at an average speed of 150.754 mph amid a tight battle involving five cars within 0.61 seconds.[3][4] He also triumphed in non-championship events, including the 1971 World Championship Victory Race at Brands Hatch and the 1973 Race of Champions in Formula 5000.[1][2] Beyond F1, Gethin competed in series like the Canadian-American Challenge Cup, where he won races in 1973 and 1974, and the 1977 Can-Am event at Road America.[1] He also secured the 1974 Tasman Series Formula 5000 title.[1] In his later years, as Toleman team manager during Ayrton Senna's debut F1 season, he contributed to the sport's administrative side until founding his own Formula 3000 team in 1986.[3][2] Gethin, survived by his wife Robbie and son Nick, died in Haslemere, Surrey, at age 71 after a prolonged battle with glioblastoma multiforme.[3][5]Early life
Birth and family
Peter Kenneth Gethin was born on 21 February 1940 in Ewell, Surrey, England.[6][7][5] He was the son of Kenneth "Ken" Gethin, a successful flat racing jockey who rode at Epsom Downs Racecourse, and Alwen Gethin.[7][6] The family resided in the Epsom area during Peter's early years, with Ken's career influencing the household's connection to the local racing scene.[7] From around 1954 to the 1970s, the Gethins lived at Timber Hatch, 18 St Martin’s Avenue, in Epsom.[7] Peter had one sibling, a younger sister named Ann M. Gethin, born in 1944.[7] Gethin married Robbie, with whom he had a son, Nick.[3][6]Introduction to racing
Peter Gethin, born on 21 February 1940 in Ewell, Surrey, England, was the son of prominent flat racing jockey Ken Gethin, who had won prestigious events like the 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes. Despite his family's equestrian background, Gethin opted for a career in motor racing rather than horse racing, marking a departure from his father's path. After leaving school, he worked in a garage. His interest in automobiles led him to the sport in his early twenties, reflecting a growing enthusiasm for speed and competition in the burgeoning British motorsport scene of the post-war era.[8][9][3][7] Gethin's racing debut came in 1962, when he acquired a humble Lotus Seven, a lightweight club racing car known for its simplicity and agility. He competed in several novice-level events, primarily at the Brands Hatch circuit in Kent, where he honed his skills on the demanding 2.43-mile track. This initial foray into motorsport was self-funded and low-key, typical for aspiring drivers of the era seeking to build experience without major sponsorship. By 1963, Gethin had progressed to a Lotus 23 sports racer, which he campaigned independently, establishing himself as a competitive club-level driver through consistent finishes in regional races.[10][8] In 1964, Gethin's talent became evident as he secured victory in the Guards International Trophy Championship, a series limited to engines up to 1,100 cc, driving his Lotus 23. This success propelled him toward more structured competition, and by 1965, he entered single-seater racing in the British Formula Three category with the Charles Lucas team. There, he shared garage space and mentorship with fellow driver Piers Courage, racing a series of Lotus and Merlyn chassis over the next three years. These Formula Three outings, often on circuits like Silverstone and Oulton Park, provided Gethin with his first taste of open-wheel racing and helped him develop the precision required for higher formulas.[10][9]Racing career
Junior and sports car racing
Peter Gethin began his racing career in 1962, competing in club events with a Lotus Seven, primarily at Brands Hatch, where he quickly established himself as a promising talent.[9][10] In 1963, Gethin progressed to sports car racing, acquiring a Lotus 23 for personal entry, and achieved podium finishes at Oulton Park. The following year, 1964, marked a breakthrough in the category; driving the same Lotus 23, he secured multiple victories, including wins at Goodwood in March, Brands Hatch in May, and Mallory Park in August, all in the 1.2-liter class, contributing to his title in the Guards Championship for cars up to 1100cc.[10][11][12] Transitioning to single-seaters in 1965, Gethin entered junior Formula 3 with the newly formed Charles Lucas Engineering team, driving a Lotus 22-Ford and later a Brabham BT10-Ford alongside teammates Piers Courage and Jonathan Williams. He recorded competitive results, such as third place at Rouen-les-Essarts and fifth at the season-opening Brands Hatch event, while also claiming a sports car win in an Elva Mk VII at Oulton Park.[13][10][14] Gethin continued in British Formula 3 for 1966 and 1967 with Sports Motors Manchester, piloting a Brabham BT18-Ford and later a BT21-Ford under team principal Rodney Bloor. In 1966, he achieved two victories and finished sixth overall in the championship, highlighted by a win in the Holts Trophy at Crystal Palace. The 1967 season yielded several top-six finishes, solidifying his reputation in the junior ranks. Additionally, he won a Formula Libre race at Oulton Park in a Brabham BT18 that year.[15][16][11] By 1968, Gethin balanced Formula 3 and Formula 2 commitments with Frank Lythgoe Racing, driving a Brabham BT21B-Ford in F3 where he took second place in the Monaco Grand Prix support race, and a BT23C-Cosworth in F2 with a podium at Albi. He also competed in sports-prototype events, including a class win in a Chevron at Oulton Park. These efforts in junior and sports car racing laid the foundation for his ascent to higher formulas.[15][10][17]Formula 5000 achievements
Peter Gethin began his Formula 5000 career in 1969, entering the inaugural Guards European Formula 5000 Championship with a works-assisted McLaren M10A-Chevrolet V8 for the Church Farm Racing team. He dominated the season, securing the championship title with multiple victories, including at Silverstone and Brands Hatch, establishing himself as a leading talent in the category.[18][19] In 1970, Gethin retained the European F5000 crown, now under the Guards banner, driving a McLaren M10B-Chevrolet V8 and amassing 90 points across the season with eight race wins, outperforming rivals like Howden Ganley. His success in F5000 that year, including strong performances against Formula 1 machinery in non-championship events like the International Trophy at Silverstone, directly led to his promotion to the McLaren Formula 1 team.[20][21] Gethin's F1 commitments limited his F5000 participation in 1971, where he scored 7 points to finish 12th in the Rothmans European Formula 5000 Championship using a McLaren M18-Chevrolet V8. After his full-time F1 stint ended, he returned to F5000 in 1973 with a factory Chevron B24-Chevrolet V8, achieving a standout victory in the non-championship Race of Champions at Brands Hatch—the only F5000 car to win against Formula 1 opposition in that event.[22][23] By 1974, Gethin won the Tasman Cup Formula 5000 series in New Zealand and Australia with the Chevron B24, claiming two victories and 41 points to edge out Max Stewart, while finishing runner-up in the European Formula 5000 Championship. The following year, 1975, he placed second in the Shellsport Group 8 Formula 5000 Championship driving a Lola T400-Chevrolet V8 for Racing Team VDS, with three wins contributing to 143 points.[24][25] Gethin continued in F5000 through 1976, racing for the Racing Team VDS in the SCCA/USAC Championship with a mix of Lola T430 and Chevron B37 chassis, ending the season ninth overall. His final F5000 outings came in 1977, where he competed in the British series but without major accolades, marking the end of his driving career in the category before transitioning to management roles.[26][15]Formula One tenure
Peter Gethin made his Formula One debut in 1970 with the McLaren team, replacing founder Bruce McLaren following his fatal accident during a Goodwood test session earlier that year.[4] Driving the McLaren M14A, he contested four World Championship Grands Prix that season, starting with a retirement due to mechanical failure at the Dutch Grand Prix. His efforts yielded a single championship point from a sixth-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, marking his best result with the team amid ongoing reliability challenges. Gethin retained his McLaren seat at the start of 1971 but struggled in the opening four races, finishing outside the points and leading to his mid-season departure.[1] He joined BRM thereafter, stepping in after the death of Pedro Rodríguez, and debuted with the team at the British Grand Prix, where he secured sixth place and one point.[3] His tenure with BRM peaked at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where Gethin claimed his only Formula One victory in the BRM P160. The race concluded with the tightest margin in F1 history at the time—0.01 seconds ahead of Ronnie Peterson's March-Ford—while achieving an average speed of 151.634 mph, the fastest for any Grand Prix to that point.[27] He closed the year with a ninth-place finish at the United States Grand Prix.[28] Remaining with BRM through 1972, Gethin entered all 12 World Championship rounds, but the team's overstretched resources and mechanical issues limited his success.[3] He scored no championship points that season, with his best finish a seventh place at the Italian Grand Prix. Appearances dwindled afterward; he made a one-off start for BRM at the 1973 Canadian Grand Prix, retiring early due to accident damage, and concluded his full-time F1 involvement with a retirement in the 1974 British Grand Prix driving for Graham Hill's Lola team.[1] Across 31 World Championship entries from 1970 to 1974, Gethin amassed 11 points, with his Monza triumph standing as his signature achievement in the category.[3]Other racing endeavors
Beyond his primary commitments in Formula One and Formula 5000, Gethin ventured into the high-powered Canadian-American Challenge Cup (Can-Am) series on two occasions, showcasing his versatility in unrestricted sports-racing prototypes. In 1970, following Bruce McLaren's fatal testing accident, Gethin was drafted into the McLaren team for the Can-Am campaign, driving the potent M8D-Chevrolet. He achieved a notable victory at Road America on August 30, where he was initially classified second behind teammate Denny Hulme but promoted to first after Hulme's disqualification for refueling irregularities.[29] Other results included a second place at Brainerd International Raceway and a seventh at Road Atlanta, contributing to McLaren's strong season despite the tragedy.[30][31] Gethin returned to Can-Am in 1977 with the British Racing Team VDS, piloting the Lola T333CS-Chevrolet in what would be his final major racing season. He secured a dominant win at Road America on July 24, leading comfortably to victory by over a minute, marking his last major race triumph.[32] Additional podiums followed, including third places at Watkins Glen and Trois-Rivières, culminating in a runner-up championship finish behind Patrick Tambay.[33][34][35] In 1974, amid his European Formula 5000 efforts, Gethin made a brief foray into endurance sports car racing as part of the World Sportscar Championship. He partnered with Brian Redman in the factory-entered Chevron B26-Hart, nicknamed "Chocolate Drop," achieving a strong fourth overall at the Brands Hatch 1000 km on September 29—15 laps ahead of the next car in their two-litre class.[36] This result highlighted the B26's competitiveness in the smaller-capacity division, though the season was limited to select rounds.[37] Gethin also competed in non-championship Formula One events, winning the Rothmans World Championship Victory Race at Brands Hatch on October 24, 1971, in his BRM P160 after a rain-shortened contest.[38] His 1973 victory in the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch came aboard a Chevron B24 in a mixed Formula One and Formula 5000 field, underscoring his adaptability across categories.[23]Post-racing activities
Team ownership
After retiring from driving, Peter Gethin established his own team, Peter Gethin Racing, in 1986 to compete in the International Formula 3000 Championship.[39][8] The team utilized March 86B chassis powered by Cosworth engines and entered a roster of drivers including Spaniard Adrián Campos, who participated in the first seven rounds, as well as Cathy Muller, Alfonso de Vinuesa, and Dave Scott across the season.[40][41] Despite the team's entry into this competitive feeder series to Formula One, Peter Gethin Racing recorded limited success, with no podium finishes or points; the drivers achieved no competitive results.[42][43] The outfit's participation marked Gethin's transition from driver to team principal, though it operated for just that single season amid the challenges of funding and competition in the burgeoning F3000 landscape.[1][2]Motorsport administration
Following his retirement from active driving at the end of 1977, Peter Gethin shifted focus to motorsport management and administration. He initially managed drivers, including guiding Italian racer Beppe Gabbiani during his stint with the March Formula 2 works team in 1979.[44] In 1984, Gethin joined the Toleman Formula One team as team manager (also referred to as sporting director), overseeing operations during Ayrton Senna's rookie season, a pivotal year for the team as it navigated the competitive landscape of grand prix racing.[3][17] He also operated a racing school at Goodwood Circuit, training aspiring drivers in advanced techniques and vehicle handling.[17] In a broader administrative capacity, Gethin served as a director of the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) from 2005 to 2008, contributing to the organization's governance and support for professional drivers in the UK.[44] Additionally, he acted as an ambassador for Ferrari UK, promoting the brand within the British motorsport community and leveraging his racing pedigree to foster relationships.[17]Death and legacy
Final years and death
In his later years, Peter Gethin shifted his focus to motorsport education, running a successful high-performance driving school at Goodwood Circuit, where he offered corporate training and enthusiast programs to nurture the next generation of drivers.[1][8][40] He also served as an ambassador for Ferrari UK, leveraging his racing expertise to promote the brand and support driver development initiatives.[16] Despite battling a serious illness, Gethin maintained ties to the racing community, attending events and offering advice to drivers and teams whenever his health permitted.[5] Gethin died on 5 December 2011 at the age of 71, after a prolonged struggle with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer.[3][9][5] The British Racing Drivers' Club, where he was a life member and former director, announced his passing with deep regret, highlighting his enduring contributions to the sport.[44]Enduring impact
Peter Gethin's most enduring contribution to motorsport remains his victory in the 1971 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, which holds the record for the closest finish in Formula One history, with the top five drivers separated by just 0.61 seconds and Gethin edging Ronnie Peterson by a mere 0.01 seconds.[45] This high-speed slipstream battle, averaging over 150 mph, exemplified the raw excitement of 1970s F1 racing and continues to be celebrated as one of the sport's most thrilling races, influencing discussions on close competition and track design even in modern eras.[46] Beyond the track, Gethin's post-racing roles amplified his impact by nurturing emerging talent and shaping governance. As team manager for the Toleman Formula One team in 1984, he oversaw Ayrton Senna's rookie season, providing crucial support during the Brazilian's breakthrough performances, including a standout podium at Monaco.[1] He later founded Peter Gethin Racing in 1986, fielding a Formula 3000 team that competed with drivers such as Adrián Campos and Cathy Muller, contributing to the development of open-wheel racing pathways in Europe.[3] His tenure as a director of the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) from 2005 to 2008 further solidified his influence, where he advocated for drivers' interests and historic preservation as a life member.[44] In his later years, Gethin sustained motorsport's heritage through education and historic events, running a successful driving school at Goodwood that trained aspiring racers in high-performance techniques.[1] He remained active in British historic racing, participating in events that kept classic machinery and stories alive, inspiring a new generation—including his son Nick, who took up historic racing following a 2012 Silverstone Classic tribute to Gethin.[40] These efforts ensured his legacy as a bridge between F1's golden eras and contemporary appreciation of the sport's roots.Racing record
Formula One results
Peter Gethin entered 31 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix (30 starts) from 1970 to 1974, driving for McLaren, BRM, and Embassy Hill. Across these starts, he accumulated 11 championship points, with his career highlight being a victory at the 1971 Italian Grand Prix for BRM—the closest finish in F1 history by a margin of 0.01 seconds ahead of Ronnie Peterson. This win, achieved at an average speed of 242.615 km/h on Monza's high-speed layout without chicanes, marked his only podium and propelled him to 9th in the 1971 drivers' standings. Gethin had no pole positions or fastest laps but demonstrated consistency in midfield battles, often hampered by mechanical issues common to his era's machinery. His other point-scoring finishes included 6th places at the 1970 Canadian Grand Prix (McLaren) and the 1972 Italian Grand Prix (BRM), alongside a 6th at the non-championship 1971 Questor Grand Prix.[47][48] The following table summarizes his complete World Championship results, including qualifying position, finishing position (or status), and points scored per event. Points were awarded under the era's system: 9-6-4-3-2-1 for the top six finishers, with drivers' standings based on the best six results in 1970–1971 and best seven from 1972 onward.| Year | Grand Prix | Team/Entrant | Chassis/Engine | Qualifying | Finish/Status | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Netherlands | Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | McLaren M14A/Ford Cosworth DFV V8 | 11 | Ret (runway exit) | 0 |
| 1970 | Germany | Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | McLaren M14A/Ford Cosworth DFV V8 | 17 | Ret (throttle) | 0 |
| 1970 | Austria | Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | McLaren M14A/Ford Cosworth DFV V8 | 21 | 10th | 0 |
| 1970 | Italy | Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | McLaren M14A/Ford Cosworth DFV V8 | 16 | NC | 0 |
| 1970 | Canada | Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | McLaren M14A/Ford Cosworth DFV V8 | 11 | 6th | 1 |
| 1970 | United States | Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | McLaren M14A/Ford Cosworth DFV V8 | 21 | 14th | 0 |
| 1970 | Mexico | Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | McLaren M14A/Ford Cosworth DFV V8 | 10 | Ret (engine) | 0 |
| 1971 | South Africa | Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | McLaren M14A/Ford Cosworth DFV V8 | 11 | Ret (fuel leak) | 0 |
| 1971 | Spain | Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | McLaren M14A/Ford Cosworth DFV V8 | 7 | 8th | 0 |
| 1971 | Monaco | Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | McLaren M14A/Ford Cosworth DFV V8 | 14 | Ret (accident) | 0 |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | McLaren M19A/Ford Cosworth DFV V8 | 23 | NC | 0 |
| 1971 | France | Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | McLaren M19A/Ford Cosworth DFV V8 | 19 | 9th | 0 |
| 1971 | Great Britain | Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | McLaren M19A/Ford Cosworth DFV V8 | 14 | Ret (engine) | 0 |
| 1971 | Germany | Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | McLaren M19A/Ford Cosworth DFV V8 | 19 | Ret (accident) | 0 |
| 1971 | Austria | Yardley Team BRM | BRM P160/BRM V12 | 16 | 10th | 0 |
| 1971 | Italy | Yardley Team BRM | BRM P160/BRM V12 | 11 | 1st | 9 |
| 1971 | Canada | Yardley Team BRM | BRM P160/BRM V12 | 16 | 14th | 0 |
| 1971 | United States | Yardley Team BRM | BRM P160/BRM V12 | 21 | 9th | 0 |
| 1972 | Argentina | Marlboro BRM | BRM P160B/BRM V12 | 18 | Ret (oil line) | 0 |
| 1972 | South Africa | Marlboro BRM | BRM P160B/BRM V12 | 18 | NC | 0 |
| 1972 | Spain | Marlboro BRM | BRM P180/BRM V12 | 21 | Ret (engine) | 0 |
| 1972 | Monaco | Marlboro BRM | BRM P160B/BRM V12 | 5 | DSQ (wrong direction) | 0 |
| 1972 | Belgium | Marlboro BRM | BRM P160B/BRM V12 | 17 | Ret (fuel injection) | 0 |
| 1972 | Great Britain | Marlboro BRM | BRM P160B/BRM V12 | 16 | Ret (engine) | 0 |
| 1972 | Austria | Marlboro BRM | BRM P160C/BRM V12 | 16 | 13th | 0 |
| 1972 | Italy | Marlboro BRM | BRM P160C/BRM V12 | 12 | 6th | 1 |
| 1972 | Canada | Marlboro BRM | BRM P160C/BRM V12 | 12 | Ret (runway exit) | 0 |
| 1972 | United States | Marlboro BRM | BRM P160C/BRM V12 | 28 | Ret (engine) | 0 |
| 1973 | Canada | Marlboro BRM | BRM P160E/BRM V12 | 25 | Ret (oil pump) | 0 |
| 1974 | Great Britain | Embassy Racing with Graham Hill | Lola T370/Ford Cosworth DFV V8 | 21 | Withdrew | 0 |
Formula 5000 results
Gethin achieved significant success in Formula 5000, particularly in the late 1960s and early 1970s, where he secured two British championships before transitioning to Formula One, and later returned to the category with consistent top finishes.[5] His prowess in F5000 was highlighted by his ability to dominate with powerful Chevrolet V8-engined cars, often outperforming rivals on technical circuits due to superior torque delivery.[10]| Year | Series | Team | Car | Position | Points | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | British Formula 5000 | Church Farm Racing | McLaren M10A-Chevrolet | 1st | 2365 | 4 |
| 1970 | British Formula 5000 | Sid Taylor | McLaren M10B-Chevrolet | 1st | 90 | 8 |
| 1973 | Rothmans European Formula 5000 | Chevron Racing Team | Chevron B24-Chevrolet | 4th | 65 | 2 |
| 1974 | Rothmans European Formula 5000 | Racing Team VDS | Chevron B28-Chevrolet | 2nd | 186 | 4 |
| 1974 | Tasman Cup Series | Chevron Racing Team VDS | Chevron B24-Chevrolet | 1st | 41 | 2 |
| 1975 | Shellsport European Formula 5000 | Racing Team VDS | Lola T400-Chevrolet | 2nd | 143 | 3 |
| 1976 | SCCA/USAC Formula 5000 Championship | Racing Team VDS | Chevron B37-Chevrolet | 9th | 23 | 0 |