Oldest debutant

George Follmer, UOP Shadow Racing Team, Shadow DN1-Ford, during the 1973 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring (picture-above). The American retired on lap 5, when he lost control of his car and touched the barriers. The race was won by Jackie Stewart in his Tyrrell 006-Ford.

George Folmer, born January 27, 1934 in Phoenix, Arizona is an American former auto racing driver, a Can-Am champion and one of the most successful road racers in North America of the 1970s.

In 1973, George Follmer competed in Formula One with Don Nichols’ UOP Shadow team alongside Jackie Oliver. He took part in his first Grand Prix, in South Africa, at the age of 39 – making him F1’s oldest debutant since the 1950s.

In 13 Championship races, his best results were 6th in South Africa (Kyalami) and a podium 3rd in Spain (Montjuich), in his first two Grands Prix! He finished 13th in the Drivers’ Championship with five points.