| Age | 85 |
| Occupation | Former Driver, Rolex Ambassador |
| Company | Rolex |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Position Last Year | Down |
In the high-octane world of Formula 1, few names carry the weight and legacy of Sir Jackie Stewart. Nicknamed The Flying Scot, Stewart wasn’t just fast—he was a game-changer. A three-time World Champion (1969, 1971, 1973), he dominated an era of motorsport where danger lurked around every corner. Born in Scotland in 1939, Stewart made his Formula 1 debut in 1965, and by the time he retired in 1973, he had become the sport’s most successful driver of all time.
But Stewart’s true legacy goes far beyond his 27 Grand Prix victories. At a time when fatal crashes were tragically common, he became Formula 1’s most outspoken advocate for driver safety. After witnessing the deaths of close friends and colleagues on the track, Stewart pushed relentlessly for improved medical support, better track design, and higher safety standards in cars. Many of the protective measures that today’s F1 drivers benefit from—like proper crash barriers, medical helicopters, and full-face helmets—owe their existence to his efforts.
His impact extended off the track as well. Knighted in 2001 for his services to motorsport, Stewart became a respected commentator and founded the Stewart Grand Prix team, which competed from 1997 to 1999 before evolving into what is now the Aston Martin F1 Team. He also turned his personal challenge—living with dyslexia—into a mission to help others, becoming a passionate advocate for children with learning difficulties.
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Stewart’s influence is everywhere in today’s Formula 1, where driver safety, engineering precision, and mental resilience are all critical. His legacy lives on from the halo devices that now protect drivers’ heads to the calm, confident voices of today’s champions advocating for social causes.
Sir Jackie Stewart wasn’t just one of the fastest men to ever grace a Formula 1 track but also one of its most visionary figures. He helped shape the sport into what it is today: thrilling, competitive, and far safer than it was when he first climbed into the cockpit.
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