Great Read: The hobby F1 racer Ferrari wouldn't let go

His blinding spell in the racing spotlight  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ View in browser View in browser ARTICLES MAGAZINE SHOP DATABASE SHOP ARCHIVE Mike Parkes: the hobby F1 racer that Ferrari wouldn't let go April 2016| Adam Cooper Mike Parkes took a superb win in the 1967 BRDC International Trophy on this day in 1967. He'd forged his reputation as an engineer, and it's often forgotten just how accomplished a driver he was — so much so that Enzo Ferrari refused to let him leave. We look back on the man, and his time in the racing spotlight. Mike Parkes enjoyed one of the most extraordinary debut seasons in the history of the world championship, albeit with a campaign that encompassed just four grand prix starts. Handed a Ferrari race seat after the departure of John Surtees, he finished second on his debut at Reims. Three races later at Monza he qualified on pole, led seven laps and finished second again. Not bad for a 34-year-old rookie who had not raced a single-seater for four years – and who still regarded racing as a hobby that complemented his full-time job as an engineer. READ MORE BRITISH GP CENTENARY Marcus Simmons Back to the start: Motor Sport joins Brooklands to celebrate centenary of first British Grand Prix One hundred years ago, Brooklands hosted the first British Grand Prix, a race faithfully reported in the pages of Motor Sport, which began life two years earlier as the Brooklands Gazette. Now, we have joined forces to mark the momentous centenary. READ MORE BRITISH GP CENTENARY Marcus Simmons Back to the start: Motor Sport joins Brooklands to celebrate centenary of first British Grand Prix One hundred years ago, Brooklands hosted the first British Grand Prix, a race faithfully reported in the pages of Motor Sport, which began life two years earlier as the Brooklands Gazette. Now, we have joined forces to mark the momentous centenary. READ MORE F1 Mark Hughes MPH: Fernando Alonso still has the magic - he's not done with F1 yet At 44 and showing no signs of slowing down, Fernando Alonso remains one of F1's most extraordinary forces, writes Mark Hughes READ MORE F1 Matt Bishop The other F1 title-changing error: why James Hunt shouldn't have been champion F1 flashback: 1976 Spanish GP Victory at Jarama set James Hunt on course for the world championship in one of F1's greatest seasons, but only after a controversial decision that no longer sits right with Matt Bishop. READ MORE F1 Matt Bishop The other F1 title-changing error: why James Hunt shouldn't have been champion F1 flashback: 1976 Spanish GP Victory at Jarama set James Hunt on course for the world championship in one of F1's greatest seasons, but only after a controversial decision that no longer sits right with Matt Bishop. READ MORE Motor Sport Collectables Explore our best-selling collectables, selected for Motor Sport enthusiasts like you. Lotus 72 Pocher Model BUY NOW Porsche 917K Pocher Model BUY NOW F1 Retro 1980 by Mark Hughes BUY NOW Stirling Silver Motor Sport Cufflinks BUY NOW Brabham BT46  Scalextric BUY NOW Lotus 79 Scalextric BUY NOW Update your content preferences UPDATE NOW Connect with us We now accept © 2025 Motor Sport Magazine, All rights reserved. Motor Sport Magazine, 18-20 Rosemont Road, London, NW3 6NE. © 2025 Motor Sport Magazine, All rights reserved. Motor Sport Magazine,  18-20 Rosemont Road, London, NW3 6NE. Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy