They call him "Big John" or "The Son of the Wind", but John Surtees enters the racing legend for another reason: he is the only one to win the World Championship both with motorcycles - seven times! - than in Formula 1.
Many have ventured into this arduous undertaking, from Hailwood to Cecotto, up to the most recent ambitions of Valentino Rossi, but only John has succeeded in his intent. And to say that once the practice of jumping from two to four wheels was quite consolidated: from Nuvolari to Brambilla, from Beltoise to Damon Hill.
John made his car debut in 1960, in Formula 2. He immediately went so fast that shortly after he was already in Formula 1, in a Lotus 18. At the second race - at Silverstone - Big John was already second! In Portugal, in the third race, he dominates but the radiator breaks.
In 1961 Enzo Ferrari would like him, but John refuses: he doesn't feel ready. It is the beginning of a relationship with the Italian team that will always be troubled. He chooses the Cooper and gains experience without pressure, getting just a couple of fifth places. The following year he is at Lola.
John is very strong but the Lola is not very reliable. He gets two second places and the final fourth place. Finally, in 1963, John arrived at Ferrari. That year, however, Clark is unbeatable and John is fourth again, with the joy of his first win at the Nurburgring.
The following year, with a bit of luck and the help of Bandini who threw out Hill at the last race and gave him second place, Surtees became World Champion. His victory, with the white and blue Ferrari in NART colors, is also favored by Clark's retirement in the final laps in Mexico. Surtees, however, does not steal anything, winning again at the Ring and in Monza.
His riding style, derived from motorcycles, is particular: clean, but always at the limit, thanks to an unsurpassed sensitivity. In 1965 Clark is too strong and John only fifth. The following year Surtees is playing a great chance. Ferrari is very strong and he immediately goes to Belgium.
John, however, argues with the engineer Dragoni over a matter related to sports and Le Mans, at the time a race of importance equal to Formula 1. Surtees slams the door and goes to Cooper. Pride, as often happens, does not dictate the wisest decision.
John wins again in Mexico and is second in the standings at the end of the year; probably, if he had stayed at Ferrari, he would have won the World Championship.
From here, Surtees' career is on the decline. In '67, with Honda, he wins at Monza and is fourth in the standings; the following year he is only eighth. The following years John lost them chasing the dream of his own team and, before his debut, he raced with BRM and Mclaren, at the time not very competitive.
When Surtees arrives, the start seems encouraging, with some placements and good performances. Unfortunately it is a flash in the pan. John runs the last race in 1972, then becomes only team manager. Surtees runs until 1978 with good results, but without ever managing to win a race.
Surtees continues to participate in racing-related events until his death, also suffering the tragedy of his son Henry, a promising Formula 2 driver who died on the track in 2009.
© "Formula 1, Le Storie"