Ilott to live up to: the British drivers behind Ferrari's F1 success

Raced for Ferrari for one season following Vanwall’s F1 withdrawal. Won the French GP and the German at the fearsome AVUS, but lost his world title chance in the finale at Sebring after being delayed by a pitstop in the wake of a hit from team-mate Wolfgang von Trips. 

Cliff Allison (1959-60)

A great F1 ‘what if’. Recommended by Hawthorn, Allison became a works Ferrari driver in 1959, impressing with second on his debut at Sebring. Opportunities to race were intermittent, but Allison was always fast – until he was badly hurt in a practice shunt at Monaco in ’60. Survived a second big crash a year later in a privateer Lotus, and retired without truly untapping his significant potential. 

John Surtees (1963-66)

Won seven motorcycle world titles before switching to four wheels in 1960. Turned down a first offer from Ferrari, but eventually joined in 1963, beating Jim Clark at the Nürburgring. Won two grands prix in 1964, then clinched the world title in Mexico to become the first world champion on two and four wheels. A victim of Ferrari politics (and his own temper) when he walked out of Maranello two years later.

Mike Parkes (1966-67)

Surtees’ sudden departure mid-1966 left an opening for this talented sports car driver and fine engineer. Second on his Ferrari F1 debut in France and again at Monza, Parkes won the non-championship International Trophy in ’67 only to break his legs at Spa in an accident that ended his F1 career.

Jonathan Williams (1967)

Celebrated for his single F1 grand prix start – for Ferrari. Williams had been plucked from relative obscurity for F2, sports cars and Can-Am during 1967, before making his one-off surprise F1 appearance at the Mexican GP season finale, where he finished eighth. Ferrari then quietly dropped him. Later, moved to the south of France where he flew private jets and indulged his interests in writing and photography.

Derek Bell (1968)

Signed by Ferrari for F2 mid-1968 and made two F1 starts at Monza and Watkins Glen, retiring from both. Bell was dropped in ’69 when Ferrari withdrew from F2, but made his first Le Mans start in a 512S in 1970 to begin his hugely successful sports cars career.

Nigel Mansell (1989-90)