Innes Ireland

British racecar driver

Victory at Watkins Glen for Lotus

Innes Ireland, a former army officer, won the 1961 United States Grand Prix for Lotus and later became a motoring journalist and BRDC president.

Innes Ireland was born in Mytholmroyd, England, on June 12, 1930, and was raised in Scotland. Before racing he served in the British Army, reaching the rank of lieutenant in 1955. He entered the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time in 1958 and soon found a place in the Lotus team.

Lotus gave him his World Championship debut at the 1959 Dutch Grand Prix, where he finished fourth, and he added a fifth place at the United States race later that year. The 1960 season was his strongest. He finished second at the Dutch Grand Prix and third at the British Grand Prix and ended the year fourth in the championship.

His only World Championship win came at the 1961 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, driving a Lotus. He also won eight non championship Formula 1 races during his career. From 1963 he raced mostly for the British Racing Partnership, finishing fourth in the Netherlands and Italy that year, and later for Reg Parnell Racing and Bernard White Racing. He made his final start at the 1966 Mexican Grand Prix.

Our record shows 50 starts, 1 win, 1 fastest lap and 4 podiums across eight seasons, with Lotus, BRP and BRM machinery. Beyond Formula 1 he raced at Le Mans eight times and won races in the British Saloon Car Championship. He later wrote about motor sport for Road and Track and Autocar, and was president of the British Racing Drivers' Club from 1992 until his death in 1993.

0 world titles, 1 wins, 0 pole positions, 50 starts.

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