Do you believe John Surtees should deserve a knighthood?

(c) Octane Photographic

F1 blogger, Alex Goldschmidt has created a petition to get John Surtees a knighthood. Surtees, 78, is an 4 wheel and 2 wheel motor racing legend who has won titles in both F1 and Motor bike racing. Alex and a few others are striving to get him a knighthood not only for his racing career results, which are outstanding, but also for his contribution to motor sport. 

John's son Henry tragically died in a Formula 2 race at the Brand Hatch circuit in 2009. The Henry Surtees foundation was set up in his name to help people with accidental brain damage and physical injuries. John already has an MBE and OBE but I think, as do many others, that he should be given a knighthood.

I will let Alex explain all, click "read more" to see the article.




Well, in all honesty, I, along with a few other people, including F1 insider and the host of the Flying Lap, Peter Windsor, believe so. So, you all must be wondering when and why did I set up this campaign?

Well, it all happened as a result of two factors. Peter mentioned about the Honours list, which is a big event here in the UK, on Episode 48 of The Flying Lap, as well as a post that he put on his blog, which you can find here. These were all I needed for inspiration, and I can only say a special thanks to Peter himself for being so passionate about it, especially as he has been friends with "Big John" since 1971, as well as all the help he has given so far, including the petition being mentioned on TFL.

Firstly, John's achievements in both MotoGP and Formula One, by winning four 500cc and three 350cc titles in the 50s and 60s with MV Augsta, as well as dominating the Senior TT from 1958 to 1960. But it was when John won the Formula One World Championship in 1964 with Scuderia Ferrari, and since then, no one has come close to achieving this spectacular feat of winning titles in both categories, that may mot be repeated for many years to come.

(c) Octane Photographic

John has done a massive amount on the saddle, behind the wheel, as well as a team boss, which includes all forms of motor sport, particularly with his own production of excellent F1, F2 and F5000 cars, and these days is very focused on the future of all those hungry and talented racing drivers and riders out there in the UK.  He is currently the Racing Steps Foundation ambassador, helping such notable young prospects, such as Dan Wells and Oliver Rowland.

He also is tireless in his campaign regarding road safety, especially as he campaigns for services, such as the "Henrycopters", which he says will   improve the extraction of casualties on our roads that are involved in some form of severe road accidents on Britain's roads.  John, in all respects, in a major foundation of the way we see motor sport today, as every time he talks about anything related to either topic, you just have to look in his eyes, to see how passionate this man really is.

We now have over 1250 signatures on the petition, including several current and retired racers, which are:

• Damon Hill (Comment - "Arise Sir John!")
• Andy Priaulx MBE.
• Jason Plato.
• Joshua Hill.
• Dan Wells.
• Mario Andretti.

So you see, in many ways, this campaign, which is slowly building momentum both domestically and internationally, is worth all the effort, and I look forward to when Her Majesty bestows this true icon and legend of racing with the honour, that I truly feel, along with many of you out there, he deserves without hesitation.

I can also tell you that plans are afoot to get the word out there,  and with the help of all those in favour of this worthy cause.

So if you also believe that John deserves a knighthood for his services to the British motor racing industry, please sign here.

Thanks to all those who have helped so far, and for those yet to help our effort..................