Mike Parkes

Michael Johnson Parkes (24 September 1931 - 28 August 1977): British racing driver and automotive engineer from Richmond, Surrey who competed in six Formula One Grands Prix from 1966 to 1967 with Ferrari, achieving one pole position (1966 French Grand Prix), two podiums, and 14 championship points. Parkes is equally celebrated for his work as Ferrari's development engineer for road cars and as a Le Mans competitor, finishing second at the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans. He was killed in a road traffic accident in Italy in 1977. Born in Richmond, Surrey, Parkes studied engineering and began his professional career working for the Rootes Group, a British automobile manufacturer.

While at Rootes, Parkes was involved in the development of the Hillman Imp, a compact rear-engined car intended to compete with the Mini. The Imp project gave Parkes valuable experience in automotive engineering, particularly in compact car design and development. Parkes began racing in the late 1950s, competing in sports car events with various manufacturers. His combination of engineering expertise and driving talent made him attractive to racing teams seeking drivers who could also contribute to car development.

In 1963, Parkes joined Ferrari as a development engineer for their road cars, notably working on the 330 GTC, one of Ferrari's elegant grand tourers. His engineering work at Ferrari was highly regarded, and he became an integral part of the road car development program. Simultaneously, Parkes raced Ferrari GT sports cars with considerable success. He won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1964 with Ferrari, sharing the winning car with co-drivers in the legendary endurance race.

His endurance racing skills and Ferrari affiliation eventually led to Formula One opportunities. Parkes made his Formula One debut at the 1966 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on 12 June, driving a Ferrari 312 for the Scuderia Ferrari works team. He qualified competitively and finished seventh, a solid debut. At the 1966 French Grand Prix at Reims, Parkes took pole position, demonstrating his speed.

However, he retired from the race with mechanical failure, unable to capitalize on his front-row start. Parkes achieved his first Formula One podium at the 1966 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, finishing third behind winner Ludovico Scarfiotti and second-place Mike Spence. The podium came at Ferrari's home race before the passionate tifosi, making it particularly meaningful. He added a second podium at the 1967 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, finishing second.

However, at the same race, Parkes suffered a serious accident that would alter his career. While running competitively, Parkes crashed heavily, suffering leg injuries severe enough to end his Formula One season. The injuries also raised questions about his future racing prospects. While recovering from his Formula One crash, Parkes competed at the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans on 10-11 June, paired with Ludovico Scarfiotti in a Ferrari 330P4.

The duo drove brilliantly to finish second overall behind the winning Ford GT40, giving Ferrari the runner-up position in one of motorsport's most prestigious races. The Le Mans result, achieved while still recovering from injuries, demonstrated Parkes's remarkable toughness and commitment. Following his 1967 accidents and injuries, Parkes did not return to Formula One. The leg injuries from the Spa crash, combined with Ferrari's own struggles during the late 1960s, ended his Grand Prix career at just six starts.

However, his engineering career flourished. From 1974 onward, Parkes served as principal development engineer for the Lancia Stratos, one of rallying's most iconic and successful cars. The Stratos, with its wedge-shaped design and Ferrari Dino V6 engine, won the World Rally Championship three consecutive years (1974-1976). Parkes's development work ensured the car was not just fast but also reliable and drivable in rally conditions.

On 28 August 1977, Parkes was killed in a road traffic accident near Riva presso Chieri, Turin, Italy. He was returning home to Turin from Modena—driving his Lancia Beta—when he rear-ended a 43-ton lorry in wet conditions. The impact was catastrophic, and Parkes was killed instantly at age 45. The circumstances suggested Parkes either failed to see the lorry in poor visibility or was unable to stop in time on the wet road.

His death shocked the motorsport community. Parkes was at the height of his engineering career with Lancia, and his loss was mourned not just for his racing achievements but for his engineering contributions. The Lancia Stratos program continued, but Parkes's absence was keenly felt. Known for his development work on the Hillman Imp and Ferrari 330 GTC, pole position at the 1966 French Grand Prix, two Formula One podiums with Ferrari, victory at the 1964 12 Hours of Sebring, second place at the 1967 Le Mans 24 Hours, principal development engineer role for the Lancia Stratos, and death in a road traffic accident in 1977, Mike Parkes represents the engineer-drivers who combined technical brilliance with competitive speed.

His dual career as Ferrari road car engineer and Formula One driver made him unique, and his tragic death in a road accident—rather than a racing crash—added cruel irony to a life dedicated to automotive excellence.