John Watson F1 Profile & Career Stats
Former Formula 1 Driver
John Watson
F1 career: 1973 - 1985
Driver Profile
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Height | 1.80 meter / 5 feet 11 inch1.80 m / 5'11" |
| Place of Birth | Belfast |
| Date of Birth | May 4th 1946: 80 years old |
| Season Entries | 12 (1973–1983, 1985) |
| Car Number | 1 |
| Last F1 car | McLaren MP4/2 (1985) |
Full Career Statistics
| Drivers' Titles | 0 |
| Grand Prix Entries | 154 |
| Grand Prix Starts | 152 |
| Total Points | 169.00 |
| Avg. Points per GP | 1.10 |
| Grand Prix Wins | 5 (3,2%) |
| Pole Positions | 2 (1,3%) |
| Front Row Starts | 11 (7,1%) |
| Avg. GP Grid | 11.7 |
| GP Podiums | 20 (13,0%) |
| GP Fastest Laps | 5 (3,2%) |
| GP Points Finish | 47 (30,5%) |
| Avg. GP Position | 6.6 |
| GP DNFs | 61 (39,6%) |
| Total GP Laps | 7.388 |
| Laps Led | 287 |
F1 Career Team History
Key Career Landmarks
Race1973 British F1 Grand Prix1973 GBR F1 GP 27 years, 71 days27y, 71d
1985 European F1 Grand Prix1985 EUR F1 GP 39 years, 155 days39y, 155d
1973 British F1 Grand Prix1973 GBR F1 GP 27 years, 71 days27y, 71d1985 European F1 Grand Prix1985 EUR F1 GP 39 years, 155 days39y, 155dPole
1977 Monaco F1 Grand Prix1977 MON F1 GP 31 years, 18 days31y, 18d
1978 French F1 Grand Prix1978 FRA F1 GP 32 years, 59 days32y, 59d
1977 Monaco F1 Grand Prix1977 MON F1 GP 31 years, 18 days31y, 18d1978 French F1 Grand Prix1978 FRA F1 GP 32 years, 59 days32y, 59dWin
1976 Austrian F1 Grand Prix1976 AUT F1 GP 30 years, 103 days30y, 103d1983 USA West F1 Grand Prix1983 USA F1 GP 36 years, 327 days36y, 327d
1976 Austrian F1 Grand Prix1976 AUT F1 GP 30 years, 103 days30y, 103d1983 USA West F1 Grand Prix1983 USA F1 GP 36 years, 327 days36y, 327dPodium1976 French F1 Grand Prix1976 FRA F1 GP 30 years, 61 days30y, 61d
1983 Dutch F1 Grand Prix1983 NED F1 GP 37 years, 116 days37y, 116d
1976 French F1 Grand Prix1976 FRA F1 GP 30 years, 61 days30y, 61d1983 Dutch F1 Grand Prix1983 NED F1 GP 37 years, 116 days37y, 116dFastest lap
1977 South African F1 Grand Prix1977 RSA F1 GP 30 years, 305 days30y, 305d
1983 Detroit F1 Grand Prix1983 USA F1 GP 37 years, 32 days37y, 32d
1977 South African F1 Grand Prix1977 RSA F1 GP 30 years, 305 days30y, 305d1983 Detroit F1 Grand Prix1983 USA F1 GP 37 years, 32 days37y, 32dPoints finish1974 Monaco F1 Grand Prix1974 MON F1 GP 28 years, 22 days28y, 22d1983 Dutch F1 Grand Prix1983 NED F1 GP 37 years, 116 days37y, 116d
1974 Monaco F1 Grand Prix1974 MON F1 GP 28 years, 22 days28y, 22d1983 Dutch F1 Grand Prix1983 NED F1 GP 37 years, 116 days37y, 116dF1 Career Finishing Positions
1st
5
2nd
6
3rd
9
4th
9
5th
7
6th
11
7th
10
8th
5
9th
5
10th
6
11th
8
12th
2
13th
2
16th
2
DNF
59
DSQ
3
NC
3
DNQ
2
DNF Did Not FinishDSQ DisqualifiedNC Not ClassifiedDNQ Did Not Qualify
Performance Breakdown
Bio
John Watson Biography
Williams FW07-Ford driven by Alan Jones, leads John Watson's McLaren M26. 1979 Austrian GP, Osterreichring
(1979-1980)
John Watson was born on May 4, 1946, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He began his racing career in the late 1960s, working his way up through various formulae before making his Formula One debut in 1973 with the Goldie Hexagon Racing team.
Watson's early F1 career was a struggle, with few results to speak of, but he gradually began to make his mark in the sport. In 1976, he scored his first F1 victory at the Austrian Grand Prix, driving for the Penske team. He would go on to win five more races in his career, including the 1981 British Grand Prix in a thrilling duel with his friend and rival, Gilles Villeneuve.
Watson is perhaps best remembered for his remarkable victory at the 1982 Monaco Grand Prix. Starting from 17th on the grid, he battled his way through the field in treacherous wet conditions to take the win, pulling off one of the greatest drives in F1 history.
Off the track, Watson was known for his quick wit and engaging personality, and he remained active in the sport long after his retirement as a driver. He has worked as a commentator and analyst for various F1 broadcasts, and has also served as a mentor to young drivers.
Today, John Watson's legacy in the sport of Formula One is secure. He was a fierce competitor on the track and a beloved figure off it, and his remarkable achievements continue to inspire F1 fans around the world.
Cars
John Watson F1 cars14 cars · 1973–1985All F1 cars →
Seasons
John Watson Championship Results
23rd
1985
6th
1983
3rd
1982
6th
1981
11th
1980
9th
1979
6th
1978
13th
1977
7th
1976
23rd
1975
15th
1974
36th
1973
John Watson F1 Seasons Summary
| Year | Team | Engine | GP | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Pod | Pole | Laps | FL | Lead | Avg Pts | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 |
 McLaren |
 TAG | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 73 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
| 1983 |
McLarenMcLaren |
TAG Ford | 14 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 608 | 1 | 31 | 1.57 | 22 |
| 1982 |
McLaren |
Ford | 15 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 821 | 1 | 28 | 2.60 | 39 |
| 1981 |
McLaren |
Ford | 15 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 809 | 1 | 8 | 1.80 | 27 |
| 1980 |
McLaren |
Ford | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 618 | 0 | 0 | 0.46 | 6 |
| 1979 |
McLaren |
Ford | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 788 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 | 15 |
| 1978 |
 Brabham |
 Alfa Romeo | 16 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 752 | 0 | 37 | 1.56 | 25 |
| 1977 |
Brabham |
Alfa Romeo | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 659 | 2 | 138 | 0.53 | 9 |
| 1976 |
Penske |
Ford | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 811 | 0 | 45 | 1.25 | 20 |
| 1975 |
PenskeSurtees Team Lotus |
Ford Ford Ford | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 509 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
| 1974 |
Brabham |
Ford | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 897 | 0 | 0 | 0.40 | 6 |
| 1973 |
Brabham |
Ford | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
Races
Wins
Podiums
Poles
Teammates
John Watson — Frequently Asked Questions
When did John Watson start racing in Formula 1?
John Watson started racing in Formula 1 in 1973.
Is John Watson still racing in Formula 1?
No, John Watson last competed in Formula 1 in 1985.
How many Formula 1 races has John Watson won?
John Watson has won 5 Formula 1 races.
How many F1 podiums does John Watson have?
John Watson has finished on the podium 20 times in Formula 1.
When did John Watson win their first F1 race?
John Watson won their first Formula 1 race at the 1976 Austrian F1 GP.
What nationality is John Watson?
John Watson is British.
Which teams has John Watson driven for in Formula 1?
John Watson has driven for Surtees, Team Lotus, Penske, Brabham and McLaren in Formula 1.
How many F1 races has John Watson entered?
John Watson has competed in 154 Formula 1 Grands Prix.
