Dave Charlton

David William Charlton (27 October 1936 – 24 February 2013) was a South African racing driver who became one of the dominant forces in his country’s Formula One scene during the 1970s. He competed in 13 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix and, closer to home, won the South African Formula One Championship six years in succession.

Driver Bio

Nationality	South African
Birthplace	Brotton, England, UK
Born	27 October 1936
Died	24 February 2013
First Grand Prix	1965 South African Grand Prix
Last Grand Prix	1975 South African Grand Prix
Years Active	1965, 1967–1968, 1970–1975
Current/Last Team	Privateer: Lucky Strike Racing McLaren

Charlton was born in Brotton, Yorkshire, England. Following the Second World War, his family emigrated to South Africa and settled in Springs, a town outside Johannesburg.

It was in his adopted country that Charlton established his motor-racing career and became one of South Africa’s leading single-seater drivers.

Formula One

Charlton made his Formula One World Championship debut on 1 January at the 1965 South African Grand Prix.

He went on to participate in 13 World Championship Grands Prix. He did not score any championship points, but his Grand Prix record tells only a small part of his Formula One story.

During this period, South Africa supported a thriving domestic Formula One championship, with many races run outside the official World Championship. These events gave local competitors the opportunity to race Grand Prix machinery regularly rather than restricting their Formula One appearances to the annual World Championship event.

Charlton became particularly successful in this arena.

South African domination

Beginning in 1970, Charlton embarked on an extraordinary run in the South African Formula One Championship.

He won the title in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975 – six consecutive championships.

That remarkable sequence made Charlton one of the defining drivers of South Africa’s domestic Formula One era.

His success also puts his World Championship statistics into perspective. While 13 Grands Prix and no points may appear modest on paper, Charlton spent much of his career competing – and winning – in Formula One machinery outside the World Championship itself.

It was there, rather than on the European Grand Prix trail, that he built his reputation.

Later life

Charlton remained closely associated with South African motorsport long after his racing career had finished.

He died in Johannesburg on 24 February 2013, aged 76.

Although born in England, Charlton’s racing identity became firmly tied to South Africa. His World Championship appearances gave him a place in official Formula One history, but his greatest achievement came at home: six straight South African Formula One titles from 1970 to 1975, an exceptional period of sustained dominance.

Grand Prix Stats

Race Entries	14
Race Starts	11
Did Not Start	1
Best Race Start	8th
Best Race Finish	12th
Retirements	8
First-Lap Retirements	0
Not Classified	1
Disqualified	0
Did Not Qualify	1

Qualifying

Qualifying Sessions	–
Reached Q3	–
Q2 Eliminations	–
Q1 Eliminations	–
Did Not Qualify	1

Complete Formula One World Championship results

Year	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	WDC	Points
1965	Ecurie Tomahawk	Lotus 20	Ford Straight-4	RSA DNPQ	MON	BEL	FRA	GBR	NED	GER	ITA	USA	MEX						NC	0
1967	Scuderia Scribante	Brabham BT11	Coventry Climax	RSA NC	MON	NED	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	CAN	ITA	USA	MEX					NC	0
1968	Scuderia Scribante	Brabham BT11	Repco-Brabham V8	RSA Ret	ESP	MON	BEL	NED	FRA	GBR	GER	ITA	CAN	USA	MEX				NC	0
1970	Scuderia Scribante	Lotus 49C	Ford Cosworth DFV	RSA 12	ESP	MON	BEL	NED	FRA	GBR	GER	AUT	ITA	CAN	USA	MEX			NC	0
1971	Scribante Lucky Strike Racing	Brabham BT33	Ford Cosworth DFV	RSA Ret	ESP	MON													NC	0
	Gold Leaf Team Lotus	Lotus 72D	Ford Cosworth DFV				NED DNS	FRA	GBR Ret	GER	AUT	ITA	CAN	USA
1972	Scribante Lucky Strike Racing	Lotus 72D	Ford Cosworth DFV	ARG	RSA Ret	ESP	MON	BEL	FRA DNQ	GBR Ret	GER Ret	AUT	ITA	CAN	USA				NC	0
1973	Scribante Lucky Strike Racing	Lotus 72D	Ford Cosworth DFV	ARG	BRA	RSA Ret	ESP	BEL	MON	SWE	FRA	GBR	NED	GER	AUT	ITA	CAN	USA	NC	0
1974	Scribante Lucky Strike Racing	McLaren M23	Ford Cosworth DFV	ARG	BRA	RSA 19	ESP	BEL	MON	SWE	NED	FRA	GBR	GER	AUT	ITA	CAN	USA	NC	0
1975	Lucky Strike Racing	McLaren M23	Ford Cosworth DFV	ARG	BRA	RSA 14	ESP	MON	BEL	SWE	NED	FRA	GBR	GER	AUT	ITA	USA		NC	0

Teammates & Qualifying Head-to-Head

Teammate	Years	Races	Qualifying H2H
Graham Hill	1971	1	–
Reine Wisell	1971	1	–
Emerson Fittipaldi	1971	1	–