Kenneth McAlpine OBE DL (21 September 1920 – 8 April 2023) was a British racing driver from England.
Born | Cobham, Surrey, England | 21 September 1920
---|---|
Died | 8 April 2023 | (aged 102)
Formula One World Championship career | |
Nationality | ![]() |
Active years | 1952, 1953, 1955 |
Teams | Connaught |
Entries | 7 |
Championships | 0 |
Wins | 0 |
Podiums | 0 |
Career points | 0 |
Pole positions | 0 |
Fastest laps | 0 |
First entry | 1952 British Grand Prix |
Last entry | 1955 British Grand Prix |
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)