South African Jody Scheckter made a big impression early on in his F1 career. After making his debut with McLaren in 1972, he triggered one of the biggest pile ups in the history of F1 at the 1973 British GP at Silverstone. Scheckter lost his McLaren M23 at the end of lap one on the exit of the then high speed Woodcote corner, spun onto the grass and careered back across the track to hit the pit wall. The accident threw up a huge dust cloud into which the following field ploughed causing mayhem. The accident resulted in almost a dozen cars being eliminated including the entire three car Surtees team. He went on to drive for Ken Tyrrell in 1974 winning in Great Britain and Sweden. Scheckter stayed with the Tyrrell team until 1976 and that season saw him finish third in the drivers championship and score the only win for the controversial six wheeled P34 in the process. He joined Walter Wolf's fledgeling team in 1977 taking three wins and finishing second to Niki Lauda and Ferrari in the championship. Scheckter stayed on in 1978 but with little success and subsequently moved on to Ferrari to drive alongside the mercurial Gilles Villeneuve in 1979. He drove consistently in his first year with the Scuderia, scoring three wins and securing the drivers title, with Ferrari also taking the constructors. The following season 1980 was a disaster for Scheckter and after scoring only two points he retired from the sport.
Nationality - South African
Born 29 Jan 1950
First GP USA 1972
Total GP's 112
Wins 10
Poles 3
Fastest laps 5
Total points 255
Teams
-Ferrari
-McLaren
-Tyrrell
-Wolf
Claim to fame
-World Champion
-1979
