Jackie Stewart

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Stewart’s career began in a family of car dealers, where he worked as an apprentice mechanic after leaving school at 16 due to undiagnosed dyslexia. His breakthrough came in 1964 when Ken Tyrrell noticed him bettering Bruce McLaren's lap times during a Formula Three test at Goodwood. Stewart drove for BRM from 1965 to 1967, winning his first World Championship race at Monza in his rookie year and the Monaco Grand Prix in 1966 despite unreliable H16 engines. A pivotal moment occurred at the 1966 Belgian Grand Prix when a severe accident at Spa-Francorchamps sparked his lifelong campaign for improved medical facilities and track safety. He also narrowly missed winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1966, leading by over a lap before mechanical failure denied him victory, earning him Rookie of the Year honors.

In Their Own Story

In 1968, Stewart joined Tyrrell's Matra International team, taking an active role in management while driving the Matra MS10-Cosworth. He won in heavy rain at Zandvoort and dominated the Nürburgring by four minutes in foggy conditions. His partnership with Tyrrell flourished as he pushed for better funding and technical support from sponsors like Ford and Goodyear. The 1967 season had seen him contest the Tasman Series against Jim Clark, winning the New Zealand Grand Prix even as bodywork flew off his rival's Lotus in a desperate chase. Off the track, Stewart faced significant challenges early on; he was humiliated by teachers for being "dumb" due to dyslexia, a condition not diagnosed until 1980 when his son Mark was tested. He later credited this struggle with helping him think "out of the box," allowing him to excel in racing where others relied solely on academic intelligence.

Reader's Guide

Stewart’s legacy is defined by his dual success as a champion driver and a safety advocate. Between 1965 and 1973, he finished as runner-up twice and won three titles (1969, 1971, 1973). He competed in the Can-Am series in 1970 and 1971 and served as team principal for Stewart Grand Prix with his son Paul from 1997 to 1999. Post-retirement, he became a prominent ABC network commentator, covering the Indianapolis 500 for over a decade and multiple Summer Olympics. He also appeared in commercials for Ford Motor Company and Heineken beer. His influence extended beyond driving; he was instrumental in campaigning for better medical facilities and track improvements at circuits worldwide. Today, he stands as the oldest living Grand Prix winner.

Did You Know?

• Stewart was not diagnosed with dyslexia until he was 41, after his son Mark was tested for the condition.
• He narrowly missed winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1966 while leading by over a lap, only to suffer a broken scavenge pump.
• Stewart won the "Coupe de Nations" European shooting championship twice before becoming a professional racing driver.
• At the 1967 Belgian Grand Prix, he once had to drive one-handed while holding the car in gear with the other due to injury.
• He was the only British driver to win three F1 championships until Lewis Hamilton matched the record in 2015.