F1Weekly Podcast # 1000
Play Podcast: 07-12-23f1weekly1000mp3
F1WEEKLY PODCAST 1000 HAS ARRIVED AND IT’S JUST MORE GREAT MOTORSPORTS INFORMATION FROM ACCROSS THE GLOBE! COVERING THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX, THE RED BULL LOOK ALIKE MCLAREN, INCOMING RICCIARDO AND ADIOS DEVRIES! THIS WEEKS SPECIAL INTERVIEW IS FORMULA 1 GP WINNER JOHN WATSON!
John Watson’s Formula 1 debut at 1973 British Grand Prix
Watson’s first F1 car was a March-Cosworth 721 which he drove on the non-championship Victory Race at Brands Hatch. A year after, he was ready to move up to F1, making his debut in the British GP where he drove a Brabham BT37, and after that competed in the US Grand Prix with Brabham BT42. He retired in both races.
In 1974, he drove for Goldie Hexagon Racing team with a Brabham BT42 and BT44, scoring his first world championship point with a sixth place at Monaco. He scored a total of six points that season. He failed to score points in the following year when he drove for Team Surtees before switching to the American Penske squad.
Watson’s final victory also included a fight for the position with his teammate Niki Lauda, who had started the race at the 23rd spot, but Watson ultimately finished 27 seconds ahead of his famous teammate.
First Formula 1 victory with Penske at Austrian Grand Prix
He secured his first podium with the third place at the 1976 French Grand Prix. Later that season came his first victory, driving for Penske in the Austrian Grand Prix. After the race, he shaved off his beard, the result of a bet with the team owner Roger Penske.
In 1977 and 1978, Watson raced with Brabham-Alfa Romeo machinery, in the first year for Martini Racing and in the second for Parmalat Racing Team. In 1977, problems with the car, accidents and a disqualification resulted with Watson racing the full distance in only five of the 17 races. In 1978, he reached three podiums and notched up 25 points to earn sixth place in the championship.
Master-class victory at Long Beach Watson made a similar master-class victory the following year at the final Formula One race in Long Beach (USA). On the street circuit, he started from 22nd on the grid and succeeded to win the race.
In McLaren Team since 1979
For the season of 1979, Watson moved to Marlboro McLaren Team. The next two seasons were without any victories, and finally in 1981, at British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Watson secured his second F1 win.
It was a maiden victory for the trend-setting carbon fibre composite monocoque McLaren MP4 car, designed by John Barnard, and managed by the team’s new boss, Ron Dennis.
New monococque saved his life.
Later in the season, the strength of the carbon fibre monocoque was demonstrated when John had a fiery crash at Monza during the Italian Grand Prix. He started seventh on the grid and raced for 19 laps.
Watson lost control of the car, coming out of the high speed Lesmo bends and crashed backwards into the barriers. The car was halved but Watson walked away unhurt. Similar accidents had previously proven fatal, but Watson was uninjured, and that lucky break proved the strength of the new carbon fiber construction.
Third place in the 1982 F1 championship
His most successful year was 1982, when he finished third in the drivers’ championship, winning two Grands Prix (Zolder and Detroit). Most impressive was his victory at the first ever Detroit Grand, on a tight and twisty track that was difficult to pass through.
Watson worked his way from the 17th starting position on the grid and charged through the field scoring a victory.
Master-class victory at Long Beach
Watson made a similar master-class victory the following year at the final Formula One race in Long Beach (USA). On the street circuit, he started from 22nd on the grid and succeeded to win the race.
Watson’s final victory also included a fight for the position with his teammate Niki Lauda, who had started the race at the 23rd spot, but Watson ultimately finished 27 seconds ahead of his famous teammate.