Californian John Delane has become the first American to win the overall Historic Formula One championship, claiming the 2011 crown with his Class A Tyrrell 002-Ford after previously earning consecutive Class A championships between 2002 and 2007 as well as in 2010. Delane sealed his latest title by taking the ex-François Cevert machine to a 3rd overall, 1st in class, finish in Race 1 of last October’s HFO season finale at Jarama, Spain.
Delane wrote further “historic” history with a victory at Algarve, Portugal, in his Class C Formula Junior Lotus 18-Cosworth, securing his third overall Lurani Trophy in the process—in addition to two further class crowns—by winning six of the season’s seven races in his class. It is the first time anyone has ever won two overall FIA Historic Championships in the same year, and ran Delane’s FIA championship total to 13.
Delane’s cars are prepared by Hall & Hall of Lincolnshire, England, and his championship serves as a perfect tribute to both the 50th Anniversary of Phil Hill’s 1961 F1 championship, the first by an American, and the 40th anniversary of Jackie Stewart’s 1971 title, the first for the Tyrrell marque.
