Peter Gethin, best remembered for his sensational F1 win at Monza in 1971 in the Yardley-BRM P160, when barely half a second separated the first five cars, has died.
Gethin started his career in 1962, but it did not take off for several years. By 1970, however, he was driving a McLaren in F1 following the death of team boss Bruce McLaren while testing at Goodwood.
After a disastrous debut season, he finished 9th in 1971 in which he switched to the V12 BRM for the the last four races and snatched his only Grand Prix win. He raced the full season for BRM in 1972 but finished only twice.
Gethin contested just one GP in 1973 – the Canadian – and his final F1 outing, the 1974 British GP, ended farcically when he had to withdraw because he didn't fit in the car.
Gethin was also an accomplished F5000 and CanAm racer, managed the Toleman team, established Peter Gethin Racing and, after retirement, set up a racing drivers' school.
James Elliott is a former Editor of Classic & Sports Car