Mike Thackwell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mike Thackwell

The Sauber C8 in which Thackwell and co-driver Henri Pescarolo won the 1000km Nürburgring in 1986.
Born	(1961-03-30) 30 March 1961 (age 64) Papakura, Auckland, New Zealand
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality	New Zealander
Active years	1980, 1984
Teams	Arrows, Tyrrell, RAM
Entries	5 (2 starts)
Championships	0
Wins	0
Podiums	0
Career points	0
Pole positions	0
Fastest laps	0
First entry	1980 Dutch Grand Prix
Last entry	1984 German Grand Prix

Michael Christopher Thackwell (born March 30, 1961) is a former racing driver from New Zealand. He competed in many top racing series, including Formula 1. He was one of the youngest drivers ever to race in a Grand Prix.

Mike Thackwell took part in five Formula One races. His first start was on September 28, 1980, at the Canadian Grand Prix. He did not score any championship points in Formula One. People often called him a "teenage sensation" and a "cult hero" because of his exciting driving style.

Outside of Formula One, he was very successful. He raced in Formula Three, Formula Two, Formula 3000, and sports cars. In 1984, Thackwell won the European Formula Two Championship. He also finished second in this championship in 1983. In 1985, he was runner-up in the International Formula 3000 Championship. In 1986, he won the Pau Grand Prix. Later that year, he teamed up with Henri Pescarolo to win the 1000km Nürburgring sports car race in a Sauber C8.

Early life and racing beginnings

Mike Thackwell grew up in a family that loved motor racing. His father, Ray, was a successful speedway rider and racing driver. When Mike was six, his family moved from New Zealand to Perth, Western Australia. This is where he started his racing journey.

From 1972 to 1976, Mike went to Christ Church Grammar School in Perth. By the time he made his Formula One debut in 1980, he sounded Australian. However, he always wanted to be known as a New Zealander when he raced.

Mike started racing motocross on motorcycles when he was nine. His father, who imported racing cars, supplied the bikes. After three years, he switched to karting. He won the Western Australian championship at 14. He also won the Hong Kong Kart Grand Prix in 1975 and 1976. After these wins, he moved to England to continue his racing career.

Racing career highlights

Starting in Europe

In 1978, Mike Thackwell began racing in Europe. He competed in the Dunlop Star of Tomorrow Formula Ford championship in the UK. He won five races and finished on the podium twice more. He ended up third in the championship.

The next year, 1979, he moved up to the Vandervell British Formula 3 Championship. He won five more races and had four other podium finishes. He again finished third in the championship. He raced against future Formula One stars like Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost. In 1979, he also won a race in the FIA European Formula Three Championship at Monza.

First Formula One races

In 1980, Mike became a test driver for the Tyrrell F1 team. He was invited to watch the Dutch Grand Prix. But then, the Arrows team boss asked him to drive their car because their regular driver was hurt. Mike got permission from Tyrrell and drove the car. Even though he didn't qualify, he set a faster time than some experienced drivers.

His official Formula One debut was a few weeks later at the Canadian Grand Prix. He was driving for Tyrrell. At the start of the race, there was a big crash involving many cars. Mike managed to avoid it. However, because his teammates' cars were too damaged, he was asked to give up his car for one of them. The race was stopped and restarted. This meant he technically didn't complete the race.

Mike had another chance at the next race, the United States Grand Prix. But he couldn't qualify to race because of a broken brake disc.

Success in Formula Two and Formula 3000

After his brief F1 appearances, Mike returned to Formula Two in 1981. He was still seen as a future star. He won a race at Silverstone. Later that year, he had a big testing accident that injured his heel and head. Despite this, he finished the season and placed sixth in the championship.

In 1982, he struggled to find a good team because of his accident. But with help from family and friends, he still managed to get two podium finishes.

He rejoined the Ralt team in 1983 and finished second in the F2 championship. He won a race and had eight other podium finishes. The next year, 1984, he truly dominated the championship. He won seven out of eleven races and took the title! He led 408 out of 580 laps that season.

Back to Formula One (briefly)

Because of his amazing success in Formula Two, Mike got two more chances in Formula One in 1984. For the Canadian Grand Prix, he replaced another driver at the RAM team. He qualified well but had to retire from the race due to a broken part. He also tried to qualify for the German Grand Prix for Tyrrell but just missed out.

Life after Formula One

After his F1 attempts, Mike explored other racing series. He raced in sports car events and even in CART (American open-wheel racing). In 1985, he raced in the new International Formula 3000 series, which replaced Formula Two. He won the first race and two others, finishing second in the championship. He also raced for the TWR Jaguar team in sports cars.

In 1986, he continued winning in F3000 in Europe and Japan. He also helped Mercedes-Benz get their first modern racing win. He shared a Sauber car with Henri Pescarolo to win the Nürburgring 1000km race.

In 1987, he won the New Zealand Formula Pacific International Championship. He then focused on sports car racing with the Kouros Racing Team. But he became disappointed with motorsport. By the end of 1988, he decided to leave racing.

After racing, Mike Thackwell worked as a helicopter pilot, a gold miner, and a teacher. Many people believe he was a "lost talent" in racing, a very skilled driver who was perhaps in the wrong place at the wrong time. Today, he lives in England and enjoys surfing.

Racing record

Career highlights

See also

In Spanish: Mike Thackwell para niños