Connew Grand Prix was a British Formula One constructor that participated in a single World Championship Grand Prix during the 1972 season. Founded by former Surtees engineer Peter Connew, the team is remembered for its underdog spirit, building and entering a Formula One car with minimal funding, facilities, or personnel. Despite limited success, Connew earned a place in motorsport history as one of the most ambitious and unlikely Formula One efforts of the 1970s.
Background and Formation[]
Peter Connew, a talented designer and former employee of Team Surtees, decided to build his own Formula One car in 1971. Operating out of a small garage in East London, Connew set out to design a chassis that would be powered by the ubiquitous Cosworth DFV V8 engine. Lacking significant sponsorship or backing, Connew relied on the help of friends, family, and volunteer mechanics to construct the car, designated the Connew PC1.
The car featured conventional 1970s F1 design elements, including an aluminum monocoque, outboard suspension, and a Hewland gearbox. Despite being largely hand-built, the PC1 was praised for its tidy and innovative design under the circumstances.
Formula One Entry[]
1972 Season[]
Connew’s Formula One debut was delayed by various financial and technical issues. The team initially planned to enter the 1972 British Grand Prix, but failed to prepare the car in time. Eventually, Connew entered the 1972 Austrian Grand Prix, held at the Österreichring.
French driver François Migault was selected to drive the car. Although the team managed to qualify, the PC1 retired from the race after just 22 laps due to a suspension failure. This would be the team’s only start in a Formula One World Championship race.
Non-Championship Appearances and Later Activities[]
Following its championship debut, Connew made an appearance at the 1972 World Championship Victory Race at Brands Hatch, a non-championship event. However, the car was withdrawn due to ongoing mechanical problems and a lack of resources.
The team later modified the PC1 to comply with Formula 5000 regulations in an attempt to continue racing. Migault again drove the car in the 1973 Race of Champions, but the effort ended in failure, and the project was soon abandoned altogether.
Connew intended to contest more races, but persistent reliability issues and lack of funding restricted further progress. Plans to compete in the Italian Grand Prix were also scrapped due to logistical and financial hurdles.
After the Austrian Grand Prix, the team appeared in a few non-championship Formula Libre events in the UK with little success. The car was later sold and modified to compete in hillclimbs and minor races before being retired entirely.
Legacy[]
Although Connew Grand Prix only contested a single Formula One race, the team is remembered fondly as one of the most courageous and DIY efforts in the sport's history. The story of Peter Connew and the PC1 remains a symbol of the last era in which a small, independent group could dream of competing in Formula One on their own terms. The PC1 chassis has since been restored and occasionally displayed at historic motorsport events.
Complete Formula One World Championship Results[]
| Year | Grand Prix | Driver | Qualifying | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Austrian Grand Prix | François Migault | 25th | Retired (Lap 22, suspension failure) |
Note: Connew also attempted to enter other races in 1972 but withdrew or failed to appear.
Connew PC1
Purley driving his LEC Connew PC1 at Brands Hatch.