Biography of Sir Jackie Stewart from Formula 1

13 January 2009

Born June 11, 1939 in Milton, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, John Young Stewart - also known as “Jackie” - is a former Formula One racecar driver. Considered by most fans and fellow sportsmen to be a true legend of the track, Jackie is the winner of three World Drivers' Championships, 27 races, 15 fastest laps, and 17 Pole Positions. His career spanned a short 8 years - where he only started 99 races - from 1965 to 1973, but Stewart etched out his own mantle in those few years. After racing, his fame grew as an announcer for the sport in the United States.

In his early life Jackie Stewart was involved with cars via his family's business, Dumbuck Garage in Dumbarton. He worked as an apprentice mechanic, and eventually chose to follow in his brother Jimmy's footsteps as a racecar driver. In 1953, Jackie's brother drove in the British Grand Prix for Ecurie Ecosse. However, after his brother was injured in a severe car crash, Jackie's parents urged him to take up shooting instead of driving. Stewart quickly displayed a talent for target shooting, finishing a competition a shot's worth away from making it to the 1960 Olympics.

After his shooting career seemed to be on a standstill, Jackie took an offer from a customer of his family business, Barry Filler, to test some cars. Ken Tyrrell, who was running the Formula Junior team at the time, caught wind of Jackie's impressive test-run performance, and contacted Jackie - through his brother Jimmy - for a test. Stewart took over a car for Bruce McLaren, an experienced Formula One driver, and was soon besting his times around the track. Tyrrell promptly offered Stewart a slot on the team.

In 1964, Jackie drove Formula Three for Tyrrell and even impressively won his first race. Tyrrell didn't compete in Formula One at the time, so Jackie joined with Graham Hill at BRM in 1965. Jackie Stewart would claim his first championship point in his first face, and also win his first race in his rookie year. Stewart seemed to be the sport's newest superstar, until a rain drenched track at Spa caused him to crash into a ditch.

Stewart lay in the car in severe pain for over 25 minutes until he was finally escorted by van to a hospital. Due to Jackie's accident, he and the leader of the BRM team launched a campaign in hopes of improving safety standards for the sport. With more emphasis on safety, Jackie's fortitude and readiness for the high-speed sport was often questioned. With a smooth and fluent style, Stewart continued to win races and silence his critics.

Tyrrell made the jump up to F1 and Stewart joined his team in 1969. Stewart won the Championship with Tyrrell in 1969 and 1971 and 1973. In 1973, Stewart had already made the decision to retire at year's end. However, he still secured a third Championship, but witnessed the death of his friend, François Cevert. Stewart retired as planned but returned to the sport 20 years later as an owner.
Tags: formula one, jackie stewart, françois cevert, tyrrell, west dunbartonshire, dumbuck garage, ecurie ecosse, barry filler, bruce mclaren,
Posted In: Sports Events, Biographies,

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