Gunnar Nilsson was a Swedish racing driver whose promising Formula One career was tragically cut short by illness. Competing for Team Lotus between 1976 and 1977, Nilsson was a Grand Prix winner, claiming victory at the 1977 Belgian Grand Prix, a performance that showcased his natural flair behind the wheel.
| Nationality | Swedish |
|---|---|
| Born | Gunnar Axel Arvid Nilsson 20 November 1948 Helsingborg, Sweden |
| Died | 20 October 1978 (aged 29) Hammersmith, London, England |
Born and raised in Helsingborg, Sweden, Nilsson studied engineering at Stockholm University before serving as a submarine radio officer in the Swedish Navy. After leaving the service, he briefly worked in the construction industry before co-founding a successful transport company with his friend Dan Molim. Inspired by the exploits of fellow Swedes Ronnie Peterson and Reine Wisell, Nilsson turned his attention to racing in the late 1960s.
He began competing in Formula Vee in 1972, soon proving his talent with a race win at Mantorp Park. The following year, he joined Ecurie Bonnier in Formula Super Vee, finishing fifth in the championship and impressing with consistent performances. His progression continued through Formula Two and Formula Three, where sponsorship from Västkust-Stugan allowed him to run a March 743-Toyota in 1974. By 1975, Nilsson had refined both his speed and racecraft, dominating the British Formula 3 Championship with multiple victories at Thruxton, Aintree, Snetterton, Silverstone, and Knutstorp. He also excelled in Formula Atlantic, winning five races from pole and cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting young drivers.
That success led to a test with Williams and later an opportunity with Lotus, where Colin Chapman paired him with Mario Andretti for the 1976 season. Nilsson’s rookie year featured strong results—including podium finishes in Spain and Austria—and despite mechanical failures and several high-speed accidents, he established himself as a capable and composed driver.
The following season, in 1977, Nilsson and Andretti worked closely to develop the revolutionary Lotus 78, the sport’s first true ground-effect car. Nilsson’s crowning achievement came at Zolder, where he drove superbly in treacherous, rain-soaked conditions to win the 1977 Belgian Grand Prix, overtaking Niki Lauda’s Ferrari in a breathtaking move around the outside. He added further podiums in Britain and strong finishes at Dijon and Jarama, ending the season eighth overall in the World Championship standings.
Outside Formula One, Nilsson was equally versatile. He raced BMW touring and sports cars in the World Sportscar Championship and European Touring Car Championship, earning wins at Salzburgring and Nürburgring alongside Dieter Quester. He also sampled American-style racing in the International Race of Champions, scoring top-six finishes at Michigan and Riverside in 1977.
Tragically, just as Nilsson’s career was poised to rise further—having signed with Arrows for the 1978 season—he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in December 1977. Despite aggressive treatment, his health rapidly declined. Refusing to give in, Nilsson devoted his remaining time to establishing the Gunnar Nilsson Cancer Foundation, based at Charing Cross Hospital in London, raising funds for cancer research and awareness.
Nilsson passed away on 20 October 1978, aged 29, only five weeks after the death of his close friend and countryman Ronnie Peterson. His legacy endures through his foundation and the Gunnar Nilsson Memorial Trophy, held in 1979 and won by Alan Jones.
As The Times noted in its obituary: “His rare talent had taken him swiftly to the top as No. 2 to Mario Andretti… he was perhaps the most naturally gifted of the new generation of Grand Prix drivers.”
Gunnar Nilsson Formula One World Championship career
| F1 Career | 1973–1974 |
|---|---|
| Teams | Lotus |
| Entries | 32 (31 Starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Career points | 0 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 1976 South African Grand Prix |
| First win | 1977 Belgian Grand Prix |
| Last win | 1977 Belgian Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1977 Japanese Grand Prix |
Gunnar Nilsson Teammates
| 2 drivers | Involvement | First Year | Last Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Evans | 2 | 1976 | |
| Mario Andretti | 29 | 1976 | 1977 |
Race Wins
| No. | Grand Prix |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1977 Belgian Grand Prix |
Gunnar Nilsson Complete Formula One Results
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | WDC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | John Player Team Lotus | Lotus 77 | Cosworth V8 | BRA | RSA Ret | USW Ret | ESP 3 | BEL Ret | MON Ret | SWE Ret | FRA Ret | GBR Ret | GER 5 | AUT 3 | NED Ret | ITA 13 | CAN 12 | USA Ret | JPN 6 | 10th | 11 | |
| 1977 | John Player Team Lotus | Lotus 78 | Cosworth V8 | ARG DNS | BRA 5 | RSA 12 | USW 8 | ESP 5 | MON Ret | BEL 1 | SWE 19 | FRA 4 | GBR 3 | GER Ret | AUT Ret | NED Ret | ITA Ret | USA Ret | CAN Ret | JPN Ret | 8th | 20 |
