The key figures
Enzo Ferrari
With Ferrari being perhaps the most legendary team in Formula 1 history, it is no surprise that their founder, Enzo Ferrari, ranks amongst the key figures of the sport’s 75 years. Decades on from the squad’s first appearance, the Scuderia still carry a legacy that their namesake created.
Enzo Ferrari was famously said to have stated: “Ask a child to draw a car, and certainly he will draw it red.” This sums up the lasting impact that the Italian had on F1 in the creation of his team, an outfit that has proved irresistible as a destination for some of the greats, both during Enzo’s lifetime and in the years since his passing in 1988.
Professor Sid Watkins
When it comes to the development of safety standards in Formula 1, Professor Sid Watkins was undoubtedly a highly influential figure. A world-renowned neurosurgeon, Watkins was recruited by Bernie Ecclestone as the first F1 doctor in 1978 at a time in which serious accidents and fatalities were happening regularly.
During the years that followed, Watkins helped to introduce vital interventions including hospital-grade medical centres at tracks, the Medical Car and its team, and access to helicopters. A charismatic figure, the man often referred to as ‘Prof’ remained as the sport’s medical delegate through to 2004. Watkins passed away in 2012, but his legacy can be seen in the continued safety measures introduced into the sport since.
TIMELINE: The 50-year history of the Safety Car’s evolution in Formula 1
Ron Dennis
There were certainly some controversies during Ron Dennis’ tenure at the helm of McLaren, but the Briton remains a central figure in the team’s history. After joining the squad in 1980, Dennis helped to build the outfit into championship winners, with a memorable period late in that decade seeing them clinch four consecutive Drivers’ and Teams’ titles.
Seventeen of McLaren’s 21 championships were won under Dennis’ reign, while numerous legendary drivers raced for the team during his period in charge including Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen and Lewis Hamilton.
