11th June 1939

Racing driver Jackie Stewart is born

Formula One driver Jackie Stewart won three World Drivers’ Championships between 1965 and 1973. Born in Dunbartonshire, he initially showed promise as a sports shooter, and started racing cars in the early 1960s. He turned down his first offer of a place on a Formula One team, preferring instead to make a name for himself in Formula Three. It wasn’t until 1965 that he competed in a Formula One car, making his debut in South Africa, where he finished a respectable sixth.

He continued to race in Formula Two and Formula Three, and had huge success in the 1969 Formula One season in which he became world champion. He came first again in 1971 and 1973, and second in 1968 and 1972. He competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965, coming second. Following his retirement, he built a successful second career for himself in television.