Our Ed McDonough had the opportunity to interview John Surtees on a number of occasions, investigating how Surtees had his first test in a Formula One car in a Vanwall, and later became the only person ever to race Vanwall’s short-lived rear-engine car in 1961. As part of his role as co-organizer of the celebration charity dinner to mark the 40th anniversary of Surtees’ World Championship in 1964, McDonough met with Surtees on a number of occasions, interviewing him in depth on his role at Honda, and was present when a statue was erected at Mallory Park to note John’s achievements there on both two wheels and four. The subject of Ferrari came up on numerous occasions, and was a topic of some interest because Surtees left the team suddenly in 1966. Here, McDonough presents a number of the analytical, as well as emotional, comments Surtees made about Enzo Ferrari and his years driving for him.
John Surtees Photo: Hal Crocker
Your involvement with Enzo Ferrari and the Ferrari team was complex, but do you recall how it all came about?
