Live: F1 and Group C racing legend John Watson #303
About this episode
John Watson, a highly underrated Formula One and Group C racing legend, shares insights from his career, including near championship success and iconic wins. He reflects on the qualities beyond talent needed to succeed in F1, his memorable pole position at Monaco, and the unique challenges of street circuits. Watson also discusses his experiences with Tom Walkenshaw's Jaguar and factory Porsche teams in Group C racing, highlighting differences in car dynamics and team culture. The episode touches on notable teammates, tragic racing incidents, and Watson’s deep passion for motorsport history.
Live from Bicester Scramble, Dan Prosser and Andrew Frankel interview Britain’s #1 F1 driver of the early 80s, John Watson. Which was his best win in F1, how did he survive his biggest racing accident, and how did a Porsche 962 compare to a Jaguar XJR-9? Oh, and just how fast was Stefan Bellof - could he have been F1 World Champion?
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Formula One World Championship
"This is a man who came within one race of winning the Formula One World Championship."
Formula One is the top type of car racing in the world, where drivers race very fast cars on different tracks to win a big championship. It's like the biggest car race competition there is.
The Formula One World Championship is the highest class of international auto racing for single-seater formula racing cars, sanctioned by the FIA. It consists of a series of races known as Grands Prix held worldwide, where drivers and teams compete for the championship titles.
Grand Prix
"a man who won five Grand Prixs, who was instrumental in Jaguar winning the World Sports Car Championship in 1987."
A Grand Prix is one of the big races in the Formula One racing season. Drivers race in many of these to try and win the whole championship.
A Grand Prix is a single race within the Formula One World Championship series. Each Grand Prix is held at a different racing circuit and contributes points towards the overall championship standings for drivers and teams.
World Sports Car Championship
"who was instrumental in Jaguar winning the World Sports Car Championship in 1987."
The World Sports Car Championship was a big car racing competition where special sports cars raced long races to see who was the best.
The World Sports Car Championship was an international racing series featuring sports prototype and grand touring cars. It was a prestigious competition where manufacturers and drivers competed in endurance races around the world.
TWR
"We'll talk a bit about TWR itself, your time with Tom."
TWR is a company that builds and races cars in big competitions like Formula One. They help make race cars faster and better.
TWR stands for Tom Walkinshaw Racing, a motorsport and engineering company known for its involvement in various racing series including touring cars and Formula One. It played a significant role in motorsport history through car development and racing team management.
pole position
"You qualified on pole at the Monaco Grand Prix in 77, almost half a second, a huge margin. Is that, that's a phenomenal achievement to get pole at Monaco? Pole at Monaco is, yeah. That's something else. You must still be very proud of that. I mean, yes, I was. Unfortunately, I was unable, I didn't take advantage of pole position because the way the grid was laid out in those days, pole position was actually just at the point where"
Pole position means starting the race at the very front because you were the fastest in qualifying. It helps you get ahead of other cars right from the beginning.
Pole position refers to the first starting spot on the grid in a race, awarded to the driver who achieves the fastest qualifying time. It is a significant advantage because it places the driver at the front of the pack at the start.
wheel spin
"So when I released the clutch, I got too much wheel spin, and Judy Schechter, who was alongside me, gained the advantage."
Wheel spin is when the car's tires spin in place instead of gripping the road, which can make the car slide or slow down.
Wheel spin occurs when the driven wheels lose traction and spin faster than the car is moving, often causing loss of control or slower acceleration. It can happen when too much power is applied too quickly, especially on low-grip surfaces.
onboard footage
"Driving around Monaco, qualifying a Formula One car around Monaco, when you see the onboard footage, it's electrifying, isn't it?"
Onboard footage is video taken from a camera inside the race car so you can see what the driver sees and how the car moves.
Onboard footage refers to video recorded from a camera mounted inside or on a race car, showing the driver's perspective and the car's movement during a race or qualifying.
qualifying
"Driving around Monaco, qualifying a Formula One car around Monaco, when you see the onboard footage, it's electrifying, isn't it?"
Qualifying is a session before the race where drivers try to drive the fastest lap to decide who starts in which position.
Qualifying is the process before a race where drivers compete to set the fastest lap time. The results determine the starting order or grid positions for the race.
road circuits
"Maybe what I learned by racing in Ireland within the confines of very fundamentally dangerous road circuits was to drive within those confines, and of course Monaco is a case in point where you would have to drive very much within those confines."
Road circuits are race tracks made from regular roads where cars race. They are usually narrow and have less space to drive safely, so drivers have to be very careful.
Road circuits are racing tracks that use public roads or streets, often narrow and with limited runoff areas, making them more challenging and dangerous compared to purpose-built racetracks.
racing circuit
"The other circuit I was referring to, which I actually find even more enjoyable, was a circuit in Barcelona called Morgue Park."
A racing circuit is a special track where cars race, with lots of turns and hills to make it exciting.
A racing circuit is a closed track designed specifically for motor racing, featuring a variety of turns and elevation changes to challenge drivers and cars.
naturally-aspirated engine
"they're just too big, too fast for that nature of circuit, but certainly for a Formula One car with a naturally-acerated 3-litre Cosworth V8 engine, absolutely made in heaven."
A naturally-aspirated engine is a type of engine that breathes air naturally without using extra devices to push air in, making it sound and feel different when it runs.
A naturally-aspirated engine draws air into the combustion chamber without the use of forced induction like turbochargers or superchargers. This often results in a more linear power delivery and distinct engine sound.
Group C era
"you are either one of one or two people to race both factory Porsches and factory Jaguars in the Group C era."
Group C was a type of car race in the 1980s where special cars raced for a long time and had to use fuel carefully to win.
Group C was a category of sports car racing introduced in the 1980s, featuring prototype race cars with a focus on fuel efficiency and endurance racing. It was prominent in events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
factory Porsche team
"to the factory Porsche team. Were they completely different experiences for you?"
The factory Porsche team is the official group of drivers and cars that Porsche supports in races.
A factory Porsche team refers to the official racing team supported and run by Porsche itself, often featuring top drivers and cutting-edge technology.
Porsche 956
"And he just bonded with a 9-5-6."
The Porsche 956 is a special race car made for long races. It was very fast and won many important races in the 1980s.
The Porsche 956 is a Group C sports-prototype racing car introduced in 1982, known for its aerodynamic design and dominance in endurance racing such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Porsche Mans Porsche
"...ly untouchable. In Le Mans configuration, the Le Mans Porsche configuration, I think is probably the best Le M..."
The Porsche Macan is a small SUV that is fun to drive and feels fast like a sports car. It’s good for people who want a car that can carry things but also be exciting to drive. People talk about it because it’s a mix of a family car and a race car.
The Porsche Macan is a compact luxury SUV known for its sporty handling and performance, often praised for bringing Porsche's driving dynamics to a more practical vehicle segment. While not directly related to Le Mans racing, the Macan benefits from Porsche's motorsport expertise, making it a popular choice for those wanting a blend of everyday usability and spirited driving. It is frequently mentioned in discussions about sporty SUVs.
center of gravity
"The center of gravity was much higher as a consequence."
Center of gravity is like the balance point of a car. If it's lower, the car stays steadier and doesn't tip over as easily when turning.
Center of gravity refers to the point where the entire weight of a car is considered to be concentrated. A lower center of gravity generally improves handling and stability, especially in racing.
carbon fiber
"The material and carbon fiber, which is the material, had been used previously as a replacement part for a metal part. Carbon fiber is a material in its own right, and it needs to be acknowledged, respected, and used in its own form, not as a substitute for another material."
Carbon fiber is a special material made of tiny carbon threads. It's very strong but light, so car makers use it to make parts that help cars go faster and use less fuel.
Carbon fiber is a strong, lightweight composite material made from thin strands of carbon. It is widely used in automotive applications for parts that benefit from reduced weight and increased strength, such as body panels and structural components.
racetrack
"Spun across the racetrack, hit the barrier on the inside of the circuit,"
A racetrack is a special road made for racing cars to go fast and compete.
A racetrack is a specially designed circuit or course where cars race competitively or for testing purposes.
gearbox
"Spun across the racetrack, hit the barrier on the inside of the circuit, effectively ripped the gearbox from the engine, the engine from the chassis,"
The gearbox helps the car change how fast it goes by switching gears, kind of like changing speeds on a bike.
The gearbox is a mechanical component that transmits power from the engine to the wheels, allowing the driver to change gears and control the vehicle's speed and torque.
Michelin
"Michelin made outstanding Grand Prix tires."
Michelin is a company that makes tires, which are the rubber parts of a car that touch the road.
Michelin is a French tire manufacturer known for producing high-performance tires used in various motorsports including Formula One.
Jaguar Xjs
"...e 1984 European Touring Car Championship winning Jaguar XJS over there. So a fine driver. Did you ever get to..."
The Jaguar XJ-S is a fancy, sporty car made a long time ago that was really good at racing in Europe. People talk about it because it looks cool and was fast enough to win important car races.
The Jaguar XJ-S is a luxury grand tourer produced from the mid-1970s through the early 1990s, known for its distinctive styling and powerful engines. The 1984 European Touring Car Championship-winning XJ-S highlights its motorsport pedigree, showcasing Jaguar's competitive edge in touring car racing during that era. It is often discussed for its blend of performance and classic British luxury.
European Formula Two Championship
"In Formula Two. So that was in Formula Two, European Formula Two Championship, a great championship. 35 or 40 cars entered to a race."
This was a big car race series in Europe where many drivers competed to prove themselves before moving up to the biggest races.
The European Formula Two Championship was a prominent racing series in the 1960s and 1970s, known for large fields of competitive drivers and cars, acting as a feeder series to Formula One.
Jaguar XJR
"...ifference between an aluminium American developed XJR, the 5, we still had AV-12 in it. Yes. And then ..."
The Jaguar XJR is a fast and special car made for racing and driving on the street. It has a strong engine and a light frame, which helped it win many races. People talk about it because it shows how Jaguar made really good race cars.
The Jaguar XJR refers to a series of high-performance racing and road cars, including the XJR-5, which featured an American-developed aluminum chassis paired with Jaguar's renowned V12 engine. These cars are significant for their success in endurance racing, blending advanced engineering with powerful performance. Discussions often focus on the technical differences and racing heritage of various XJR models.
Audi
"I know that Audi ran their car the other day in Barcelona. It's certainly the engine."
Audi is a car company from Germany that makes fancy cars and also builds engines for racing cars in Formula One.
Audi is a German automobile manufacturer known for its luxury vehicles and involvement in motorsports, including Formula One with their recent entry as an engine supplier and team partner.
naturally aspirated V8s, V10s, V12s
"It's certainly the engine. What I've seen on my phone, the engine sounded great. I'm a fan of naturally aspirated V8s, V10s, V12s."
These are types of car engines with 8, 10, or 12 cylinders arranged in a V shape. They don't use extra devices to push air in, so they rely on normal air to work.
Naturally aspirated engines are internal combustion engines that rely on atmospheric pressure for air intake, without turbochargers or superchargers. V8, V10, and V12 refer to the number of cylinders arranged in a V configuration, affecting power and smoothness.
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