Peter Gethin the former Embassy Hill Lola, BRM and McLaren F1 driver who won the epic Italian Grand Prix in 1971 that had the top five finishers all within 0.61 seconds. He was also winner of the Canadian-American Challenge Cup and a two time winner of the Formula 5000 British title.

Gethin was born in Surrey and was the son of former jockey Ken Gethin, who himself was the winner of the Coronation Stakes and the 1,000 Guineas.

He made his debut in 1970 for Formula 1 team McLaren shortly after the death of Bruce McLaren, team founder. New Zealand born McLaren died at Goodwood in a testing accident leaving Gethin to take the vacant seat.

Peter Gethin F1 career

• 1970 – McLaren – races 7, final position 23
• 1971 – McLaren. BRM – races 11, final position 9
• 1972 – BRM – races 11, final position 21
• 1974 – BRM – races 1
• 1974 – Lola – races 1

Gethin most iconic victory was at the Monza Grand Prix in 1971 where he beat Ronnie Peterson in the BRM by just 0.01seconds. That race had the highest average speed of any F1 race in history until it was finally broken 32 years later by Michael Schumacher on the same track in 2003.

That was his last podium finish. He ended his four year F1 career with a single win from 30 starts and 11 points.

Gethin also won the Race of Champions, the World Championship Victory Race, the Tasman Series F5000 and a Can-Am race at Road America all between 1971 and 1977.

After he finished racing he managed Toleman F1 team, he also set up Peter Gethin Racing whom took part in F3000 in the 1980s. Later on in life he ran a driving school in Goodwood.

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