Innes Ireland

Innes Ireland (1930-1993) was a British military officer, engineer and motor racing driver.

Success in sports car racing saw him make his Formula One debut for Team Lotus in 1959.

In 1960 he won three non-championship F1 races and finished fourth in the World Drivers Championship.

Badly injured in the 1961 Monaco Grand Prix, Ireland recovered and won the US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.

For him, for Colin Chapman and Team Lotus it was the first Grand Prix victory.

He was a larger than life character who, according to a rival team boss “lived without sense, without an analyst and provoked astonishment and affection from everyone.”