John Surtees is the only Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion who also won the 500cc motorcycle world championship. He achieved the two titles in different phases of an extraordinary racing career.
Surtees won the 500cc motorcycle championship in 1956, 1958, 1959 and 1960 while riding for MV Agusta. He then moved into cars and entered Formula 1 with Lotus in 1960 before joining Ferrari.
Driving a Ferrari 158, Surtees won the 1964 Formula 1 championship by a single point over Graham Hill. His title was secured at the Mexican Grand Prix, the final round of the season, after a closely contested campaign.
Other drivers have competed successfully in both motorcycles and cars, but Surtees is unique because he became the world champion in both disciplines. The motorcycle championship was later renamed the 500cc World Championship and ultimately became part of MotoGP history.