John Surtees became the first Formula 1 driver to win world championships on both two wheels and four wheels.
Surtees won the 500cc motorcycle world championship in 1956, 1958, 1959 and 1960. He then moved into Formula 1 and won the 1964 World Drivers’ Championship with Ferrari.
His achievement is unique because he remains the only person to become world champion in both the premier motorcycle and Formula 1 categories. His 1964 F1 title was decided at the season-ending Mexican Grand Prix, where he finished second.
Surtees is sometimes confused with Graham Hill, who achieved motorsport’s Triple Crown, or Jack Brabham, who won the F1 title in a car bearing his own name. Neither won a premier motorcycle world championship.