Stewart Grand Prix

Stewart Grand Prix competed in F1 during the late 1990s. Founded by three-time Formula One World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart and his son Paul Stewart, the team entered Formula 1 with a strong motorsport pedigree and a clear ambition to make its mark.

Notable Team Members and Drivers

Sir Jackie Stewart: The patriarch of the Stewart family, Jackie was not just a legendary driver but also played a crucial role in the management and strategic direction of the team.

Paul Stewart: Paul was instrumental in the day-to-day operations of the team. His transition from driver to a key figure in team management showcased his deep understanding of the sport and his ability to lead in a highly competitive environment.

Rubens Barrichello: As one of the team’s most notable drivers, Barrichello achieved the team’s first podium finish.

Johnny Herbert: Joining the team in its final season, Herbert secured Stewart Grand Prix’s only Grand Prix win at the 1999 European Grand Prix.

The roots of the team can be traced back to the end of 1988 when Paul Stewart, son of Jackie Stewart, established Paul Stewart Racing after acquiring the Gary Evans Motorsport Team. This newly formed team entered the British Formula 3 season in 1989 with a modest 10 employees and sponsorship from Camel. Paul Stewart and German driver Otto Rensing drove the teams cars, and were rewarded with a single victory at Snetterton with Stewart behind the wheel. By 1990, the team expanded its operations to a new base in Milton Keynes, dividing its focus across European Formula 3000, Formula 3, and Formula Vauxhall Lotus. The team achieved remarkable success over the next few years, securing 12 titles and 119 race victories across various racing categories.

Initially, in late 1995, Stewart Racing showed little interest in ascending to Formula 1, mindful of the challenges faced by short-lived teams like Simtek, Pacific, and Forti. However, this idea shifted dramatically in January 1996 when Jackie Stewart clinched a five-year development agreement with Ford, transforming the team into a factory-backed entry. Before this, Ford had partnered with Sauber as a factory engine supplier. The Stewart team also secured financial backing from Malaysia, aiming to promote the country globally. They consulted with John Barnard to devise a business plan with an estimated budget of £24 million.

With the backing from Ford the team entered Formula 1 as the official Ford Works-supported outfit for a brief period of three seasons, from 1997 to 1999. The pinnacle of the teams time in F1 came in the 1999 season, during which it achieved one victory by Johnny Herbert at the European Grand Prix and one pole position by Rubens Barrichello at the French Grand Prix. These results gave the team a fourth-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship that year.

Following the end of the 1999 season, Ford acquired the team, leading to its rebranding as Jaguar Racing. This iteration of the team continued until 2004, when it was sold to Red Bull GmbH, and it underwent another rebranding to become Red Bull Racing, starting in 2005.