73 replies to this topic

[Tadpole]

Formula One's Ken Tyrrel dies

Formula One personality Ken Tyrrell has died at the age of 77, after an illness.

Mr Tyrrell, who founded the Tyrrell motor racing team in 1970, died in the early hours of the morning at his home in Surrey.

Three-times World Formula One champion Sir Jackie Stewart, who used to race for the team, led the tributes to a "unique and modest friend".

He said: "My heart is deeply saddened by the passing of a great friend. Ken was the most important person in my life outside my family. Without Ken Tyrrell, I would not be where I am today."

Sir Jackie said Mr Tyrrell had given him his first chance to drive a single-seater racing car, in Formula 3 in 1964, and he continued to race for him until October 1973.

He said: "His influence on my driving career was enormous. He was so much more than the team owner and team manager.

"Ken was like a father. He taught me, he coached me, he pushed and shoved me. We argued and we laughed.

"Ken masterminded my success; it was solid, logical and practical wisdom that I respected so much. It is very important to remember, of course, that I was just one of many drivers that Ken lifted to significant levels of motor sport."

Sir Jackie said the two men's friendship had endured after his retirement from Grand Prix driving, and said Mr Tyrrell's leadership had inspired his own work when he set up Paul Stewart Racing and Stewart Grand Prix with his son Paul.

He said: "In his time, Ken was simply the best. He may have been a privateer, battling increasingly against the odds, but he was uncluttered by big corporate cultures, demands and politics. His moral fibre was incredibly strong and his integrity extremely deep and sincere. We didn't have a contract after our first year because, quite simply, we didn't need one."

(from ananova.com)

[Zawed]

That's sad news, and a great loss to F1

[Senninha2000]

Terrible news.

He truly was a legend

[pRy]

[schumigal]

[Flying Panda]

[pinchevs]

Just saw it on Eurosport.

Sad sad news.

[ffiloseta]

Créanlo o no, no pude evitar que se formara una lágrima en mis ojos...

The fact that Sir Jackie Stewart led the tributes really moved me. It was truly a different F1, Sir Stewart's.

What really got me into F1 was the P34. Before that, I would just be a "Ferrarista" just like my dad. I have not been anything else than a Ferrarista, but I always wished Enzo Ferrari was as bold as Ken Tyrrell.

****, am I sad !

[Pascal]

Very sad news.

[slick1jayj]

This is a very sad day. My prayers go out to his family.


jay

[david_martin]

I understand he had been fighting cancer for several years. "Chopper" left a huge motorsport legacy that will not be soon forgotten. Rest in peace.

[chester316]

[taran]

Goodbye to a gentleman and true F1 fan.

I have had some doubts about Ken ever since the 1984 lead bullits fiasco and the undignified sacking of Michele Alboreto in 1989 completely soured me on Team Tyrrell.
But his dignity and pride in 1998, when he resolutely left because Pollock would tarnish his name & team rehabilitated him in my eyes.

It' sad to to see another of F1's legends become a memory.

R.I.P Ken Tyrrell

[Mat]

sad news. He will be missed.

Rest In Peace Ken Tyrrel

[Dudley]

We didn't have a contract after our first year because, quite simply, we didn't need one

I found this comment interesting. I suspect Heinz Harald Frentzen is thinking he may as well have gone that way too.

[AlesiGOD]

[JuanF1]

Sad news, hope his family recovers from this great blow soon.

[Linus27]

One of the greatest men in the history of F1 has gone.

Rest in peace Ken, you are a legend and will be missed.

[Earthling]

Sad news indeed.
May he rest in peace. If only there were more men like him in the F1 universe.

[iago]

Terrible news. My thoughts are with Ken's family and friends.

Ken was one of the old school characters of F1, who talked straight and injected some interest into an otherwise fairly dull and sanitised sport. He is a big loss to the sport.

[Williams]

Noooooooo! I guess it was due to happen sometime soon but it's a surprise and a shock all the same.

I remember how impressed I was when he did his interview (for F1 Racing ?) after he sold Tyrell to BAR. They went back to the old Tyrell premises which had been shut down and largely stripped. He gave the interviewer a tour of the facility, but his attitude was not so much nostalgic as it was forward-looking and pragmatic. It was fun, but now it's time to move on. A very tough guy, Ken Tyrell, and one that will be missed in the paddock, I'm sure.

Condolences to Ken's family and his many friends.

[JayWay]

[arcwulf7]

A great innovator and developer of young talent in the sport. I remember a former driver mentioned the exhileration of passing the finish line in first with 'Uncle Ken' punching his fist in the air in glee. Remembered with great affection by all of f1. RIP Ken.

[FW11B]

It was a sad day when Tyrrell left F1, but this really is sad news.
A true Gent

[doohanOK]

Sad to hear. I was actually thinking about him the other day , in regards to his health.

Pretty speechless.

regards,
doohanOK.

[Pine]

I really liked Uncle Ken.

[AD]

One of the big personalities of F1 has died today.
My sincerest sympathies to the family of Ken Tyrrell.

[MortenF1]

Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.
R.I.P

[The Kanisteri]

R.I.P. Ken Tyrrell

[fifi]

[Runner]

Terribly sad news. A great loss to all of us.

[Duck]

Perhaps the epitome of what Grand Prix racing used to be - a privateer dedicated to fair competition, and sportsmanship. Rest peacefully, Ken.

[911]

RIP, Ken. You seemed to make the most out of a very little (i.e. sponsorship). You were a legend and will be missed.

911

[911]

Originally posted by taran
Goodbye to a gentleman and true F1 fan.

I have had some doubts about Ken ever since the 1984 lead bullits fiasco and the undignified sacking of Michele Alboreto in 1989 completely soured me on Team Tyrrell.

taran,

Wasn't Alboreto "sacked/released" from Tyrrell in '89 because of a sponsorship conflict? Michele was a Marlboro driver, but the Tyrrell obtained sponsorship from Camel during the '89 season. I believe this is what opened the doors for Alesi at Paul Ricard that year, as he was already a Camel driver from F3000.

911

[Rene]

[Louis Mr. F1]

Alboreto quited on his own, Ken was actually hoping for his return after the French GP but it didn't work out (someone can correct me if i'm wrong)
i think maybe when Alboreto signed the contract, he acknowledged Ken that he had Marlboro money and Alboreto was upset with the new Camel sponsorship, which the team needed badly (it was a plain blue car)
the ironic thing was, when Alboreto returned later that year driving for the Larrousse team, he was sponsored by.............Camel.

Bye bye uncle Ken. RIP
maybe Ken, Harvey, Michele will unite in heaven and make another innovative car.

[Thanassis]

R.I.P. Ken Tyrrel

[regenmeister]

A true legend is gone. :(

[NYR2119935]

[Bjorn]

[paulb]

My condolences to the Tyrell family.

[gerry nassar]

Ken Tyrell - R.I.P

[bergwerk]

Measured by the amount of respect that sir Jackie has for him, Ken was a giant.

Hope that he had the opportunity to enjoy his family and friends before he passed.

[biercemountain]

Goodbye Ken. We'll miss you.

[mhferrari]

My sincere condolences.

[ClashCityRocker]

R.I.P Ken Tyrrel

[DB]

Ken was a true sportsman by any definition. He will be missed.

Rest in peace Ken,

Don

[The Swerve]

End of an era, the last of the true F1 privateers has gone.

[Cociani]

Ken Tyrrel was definatly the last of his kind. He will be missed by all. My condollences go out to his family and friends. Goodbye Ken Tyrrel.

[MONTOYASPEED]

Another great who goes to God's F1.