Bio of Derek Warwick
Brief history of a country lad
by Michael Bass
Here's the brief story of Derek Warwick's steps to fame since beginning his career in 1972.
British boy Derek Warwick started his career in kart, racing winning races regularly before moving to stock cars; he started collecting fans even then.
Warwick went on to win the World Superstox title in 1972, aged just 18, in a family-built trailor company car. After a couple more successful years, he moved to single-seater racing cars for 1975, becoming European Formula Ford champion in 1976.
During his Formula 3 years, Warwick did not win a race, despite finishing second six times: he collected a third place in the Vandervill series and overall fifth in the BP series.
His second season, however, was better, as he contentrated in improving all areas of his driving. He fought hard to overcome financial problems, successfully, winning the chance to battle for first position against Chico Serra and future F1 World Champion Nelson Piquet to win the Vandervill series, whilst finished overall second in the Drivers Championship to Piquet in the BP series - winning eight races during that season.
Progressing to Formula 2, all was not good for Warwick, and his performances slumped: best result for the year was fifth place.
Warwick's career was saved by joining the Toleman F2 team in 1980, finishing in excellent second overall to Brian Henton, winning both the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, and the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
1981 saw Toleman and Warwick attempt the jump to Formula One... however, it was a total disaster, as the team qualifying only twice throughout the entire season (once apiece for Warwick and Henton). Warwick stayed on with the team to race the 1982 season, and qualifyed ten times, particularly claiming the crowds attenetion when he slipped past Ferrari driver Didler Pironi to second position at the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch. His engine blew shortly after, which left him disappointed... and he failed to score any points that season.
The team finally got it's act together in 1983, and Warwick scored the first points of his Formula One career, with a fourth at the Dutch Grand Prix. At the time, the press hailed him as a better GB prospect than the up and coming Nigel Mansell; and when Alain Prost left Renault in 1984, Warwick was ready to capitalise, taking over the Frenchman's seat.
He was a victim of collapsed suspension at the Brazilian Grand Prix - the first race of the season - before scoring two seconds an two thirds over the season. He came seventh overall in the Drivers Championship, before the French team suddenly hit problems, and he was left without a ride.
Blocked from joining Lotus in 1986 by Ayrton Senna, Warwick left Formula One.
Warwick returned with Brabham after Elio de Angelis' death in 1986, before driving for Arrows, gaining seventh in the 1988 Drivers Championship, and a lacklustre '89 season for Lotus.
At that point, he decided to leave Formula One for sports car racing, becaming world champion in 1991, then returning to Formula One, clutching at straws for another chance of a successful year, which was clearly never to be for him or Footwork in 1993. Leaving Formula One for good in 1994, Warwick turned to Touring Cars, driving for Vauxhall after a troubled initiation with the works Alfa Romeo team, and finally retired from BTCC at the end of the 1999 season.
Article is written by and copyright (c) 1999 Michael Bass.
Michael is a reliable, kind and generous chap, who enjoys school to a reasonable extent. He is working hard to gain A-levels and start a career as a newspaper journalist. His hobbies include Formula One, photography, writing and bike riding, to name a few.
Views expressed in these articles do not necessarily coincide with the views of the F1 Rumors Team.
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