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Kenneth McAlpine OBE DL (21 September 1920 – 8 April 2023) was a British racing driver from England.

Biography

McAlpine was born in Cobham, Surrey[1] and was a grandson of Scottish civil engineer Sir Robert McAlpine, 1st Baronet.[2] He participated in seven Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on 19 July 1952 at the British Grand Prix alongside fellow Connaught driver Kenneth Downing.[3] During the development of the Connaught Racing Team based at Send in Surrey, McAlpine became a considerable financial backer[2] and enjoyed several team owner triumphs including Tony Brooks's memorable F1 victory at the 1955 Syracuse Grand Prix.[4] The team was eventually broken up in 1957 and cars sold off after McAlpine ceased receiving tax concessions.[5]

McAlpine and co-driver Eric Thompson took part in the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans driving a Connaught ALSR. They retired after 6 hours with engine failure.

After retiring from motor racing, McAlpine returned full-time to his civil engineering business and later established a successful English wine growing and bottling business at his estate in Lamberhurst, Kent.[2] He was also a member of The Air Squadron.[citation needed]

McAlpine died on 8 April 2023, at the age of 102.[6]

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 WDC Points
1952 Connaught Engineering Connaught Type A Lea Francis L4 SUI 500 BEL FRA GBR
16
GER NED ITA
Ret
NC 0
1953 Connaught Engineering Connaught Type A Lea Francis L4 ARG 500 NED
Ret
BEL FRA GBR
Ret
GER
13
SUI ITA
NC
NC 0
1955 Connaught Engineering Connaught Type B Alta L4 ARG MON 500 BEL NED GBR
Ret
ITA NC 0

Non-championship results

(key)

References

  1. ^ Jenkins, Richard. "The World Championship drivers - Where are they now?". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 29 July 2007.
  2. ^ a b c Holland, Dave (14 December 2019). "Kenneth McAlpine 2000 by David Holland". The "Forgotten" Drivers of F1. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Ken McAlpine". 500race.org. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  4. ^ Jenkinson, D.S. (7 July 2014). "Sicilian Sojourn". Motor Sport. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  5. ^ Marriott, Andrew (16 April 2023). "Kenneth McAlpine: oldest-surviving F1 driver dies". Motor Sport magazine. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  6. ^ McAlpine. Obituary, telegraph.co.uk


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