Mike Hawthorn
During the 1950s, Mike Hawthorn was one of Britain’s most esteemed drivers. Born in 1934, he made his Formula-1 debut in 1952 at the Belgian Grand Prix where he finishing in fourth place. A year later he won his first Formula-1 race at the French Grand Prix at Reims. His gave his most memorable races with the Jaguar team after he joined them in 1955. He was also memorably known for his publicised friendly rivalry with Italian driver Luigi Musso of the Ferrari team, who he and fellow British driver Peter Collins were constantly challenged by.
The three men frequently took risks when competing in motorsport, the kind that are now illegal in Formula-1 racing. In 1959, just months after his retirement, Hawthorn died at the age of 29 while driving his Jaguar 3.4-litre along the A3 Guildford bypass. His death came less than 18 months after both Musso and Collins died in motor racing competitions; accidents that allegedly influences Hawthorn’s decision to retire.
Jackie Stewart
Scottish driver Jackie Stewart made his Formula-1 racing debut in 1965, and quickly established himself as one of the sport’s best known names with a number of championship wins for the BRM team, making him a symbol of the swinging 1960s British culture. He is notable for his work off the track too. Following an accident when driving for the Tyrell team in 1966 which left him trapped upside down in a potentially life-threatening situation for 25 minutes, Stewart began campaigning for safer driving regulations in Formula-1. His efforts were met with much hesitation form Formula-1 officials who felt his comments were harming the sport’s image. Nevertheless, his safety campaigns were instrumental in the changes that followed during the 1970s, and today he is just as revered for this work as he is for his racing achievements.
Nigel Mansell
Arguably the most recognized of British Forula-1 drivers, Nigel Mansell won just about every title a driver could win during the 1980s. As of 2013, he currently has more titles than any other British diver with 31 victories, and is sixth overall on the Formula One all-time highest race winners list, having has been part of rally driving experiences with four of the most admired and successful teams: Lotus, Williams, McLaren, and Ferrari.
He ended his fifteen year career in 1995, but since his retirement has remained active off the track through his work as the President of ‘UK Youth’, the UK’s largest youth-work charity. He has also remained a name in motorsport due to his time as the President of the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists).