Driver · United Kingdom · born 4 May 1946

John Watson

Won from 22nd on the grid at Long Beach in 1983 — still the lowest starting position for a winner.

Seasons: 1973–198512 with an entry
Entries: 154
Starts: 1522 did not start
Wins: 5
Podiums: 20
Poles: 2
Fastest laps: 5
Best finish: P1

Where each championship finished

Final championship position by season, ringed for a title. No dot: not in the final standings, or excluded. The dots are not in team colours: no season on this record has one.

The numbers behind this chart

Where each championship finished
Season	Constructor	Position	Points
1974	Brabham	15	6
1976	Penske	7	20
1977	Brabham	13	9
1978	Brabham	6	25
1979	McLaren	9	15
1980	McLaren	11	6
1981	McLaren	6	27
1982	McLaren	3	39
1983	McLaren	6	22

Season by season

Season by season
Season	Constructor	Entries	Wins	Podiums	Poles	FL	Best	Championship	Points scored
1985	McLaren	1	0	0	0	0	P7	—	0
1983	McLaren	15	1	3	0	1	P1	6	22
1982	McLaren	15	2	5	0	1	P1	3	39
1981	McLaren	15	1	4	0	1	P1	6	27
1980	McLaren	14	0	0	0	0	P4	11	6
1979	McLaren	15	0	1	0	0	P3	9	15
1978	Brabham	16	0	3	1	0	P2	6	25
1977	Brabham	17	0	1	1	2	P2	13	9
1976	Penske	16	1	3	0	0	P1	7	20
1975	Surtees,Team Lotus,Penske	13	0	0	0	0	P8	—	0
1974	Brabham	15	0	0	0	0	P4	15	6
1973	Brabham	2	0	0	0	0	—	—	0

“Points scored” adds up every point from the races. The championship column is where the season actually finished, which before 1991 could be lower once dropped scores were applied. Open a season for its full table.

Team-mates

Team-mates
Season	Team-mate	Constructor	Races	Qualifying	Race	Points
1985	Alain Prost	McLaren	1	0–1	0–1	0–3
1983	Niki Lauda	McLaren	15	3–12	1–2	22–12
1982	Niki Lauda	McLaren	15	4–11	0–4	39–30
1981	Andrea de Cesaris	McLaren	15	14–1	3–1	27–1
1980	Alain Prost	McLaren	13	5–8	0–2	3–5
1980	Stephen South	McLaren	1	1–0	none	3–0
1979	Patrick Tambay	McLaren	15	13–2	2–1	15–0
1978	Niki Lauda	Brabham	16	6–10	0–5	25–44
1978	Nelson Piquet	Brabham	1	1–0	none	0–0
1977	Hans-Joachim Stuck	Brabham	14	11–3	1–1	8–12
1977	Carlos Pace	Brabham	3	1–2	1–0	1–6
1977	Giorgio Francia	Brabham	1	1–0	none	0–0
1976	Boy Hayje	Penske	1	1–0	none	0–0
1975	Dave Morgan	Surtees	1	1–0	1–0	0–0
1975	Ronnie Peterson	Team Lotus	1	1–0	none	0–0
1974	Carlos Reutemann	Brabham	15	1–14	1–4	6–32
1974	Carlos Pace	Brabham	7	3–4	0–3	5–8
1974	Rikky von Opel	Brabham	6	6–0	1–1	1–0
1974	Richard Robarts	Brabham	3	3–0	none	0–0
1974	Gérard Larrousse	Brabham	2	2–0	none	0–0
1974	Ian Ashley	Brabham	2	2–0	none	2–0
1974	Carlo Facetti	Brabham	1	1–0	none	0–0
1974	Eppie Wietzes	Brabham	1	1–0	none	0–0
1974	Helmuth Koinigg	Brabham	1	1–0	none	3–0
1974	Lella Lombardi	Brabham	1	1–0	none	0–0
1974	Teddy Pilette	Brabham	1	1–0	1–0	0–0
1973	Carlos Reutemann	Brabham	2	0–2	none	0–5
1973	Wilson Fittipaldi	Brabham	2	1–1	none	0–0
1973	Andrea de Adamich	Brabham	1	0–1	none	0–0

Show all 29 team-mate seasonsShow the first 10

A team-mate is anyone entered for the same constructor in the same Grand Prix, and each pair of figures is John Watson’s first. Races counts every Grand Prix both were entered for, started or not. Qualifying counts the races both have a qualifying position in; Race only those both were classified in, so a retirement on either side counts for neither, and reads none where there was no such race; Points are each driver’s own from those Grands Prix, before any dropped scores and without Sprint points. Before the 1980s a constructor’s cars were often entered by private teams as well as its own, so a pairing then can be two drivers who never shared a garage. The figures say who was ahead, not who was better.

Compare John Watson with any other driver

Every entry 154 entries

Every entry
Season	Grand Prix	Constructor	Chassis	Grid	Result	Out	Laps	Points
1985	European Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/2B	21	7	Finished	73	0
1983	South African Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1E	15	DSQ	Overtaking on formation lap	18	0
1983	European Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1E	10	DNF	Spun off	36	0
1983	Italian Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1E	15	DNF	Electrical	13	0
1983	Dutch Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1C	15	3	Finished	72	4
1983	Austrian Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1C	17	9	Finished	51	0
1983	German Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1C	23	5	Finished	44	2
1983	British Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1C	24	9	Finished	66	0
1983	Canadian Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1C	20	6	Finished	69	1
1983	Detroit Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1C	21	3	Finished	60	4
1983	Belgian Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1C	20	DNF	Collision	8	0
1983	Monaco Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1C	—	DNQ	DNQ	—	0
1983	San Marino Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1C	24	5	Finished	59	2
1983	French Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1C	14	DNF	Engine	3	0
1983	United States Grand Prix West	McLaren	MP4/1C	22	1	Finished	75	9
1983	Brazilian Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1C	16	DNF	Engine	34	0
1982	Caesars Palace Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1B	9	2	Finished	75	6
1982	Italian Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1B	12	4	Finished	52	3
1982	Swiss Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1B	11	13	Finished	77	0
1982	Austrian Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1B	18	DNF	Engine	44	0
1982	German Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1B	10	DNF	Spun off	36	0
1982	French Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1B	12	DNF	Electrical	13	0
1982	British Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1B	12	DNF	Spun off	2	0
1982	Dutch Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1B	11	9	Finished	71	0
1982	Canadian Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1B	6	3	Finished	70	4
1982	Detroit Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1B	17	1	Finished	62	9
1982	Monaco Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1B	10	DNF	Electrical	35	0
1982	Belgian Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1B	10	1	Finished	70	9
1982	United States Grand Prix West	McLaren	MP4/1B	11	6	Finished	74	1
1982	Brazilian Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1B	12	2	Finished	63	6
1982	South African Grand Prix	McLaren	MP4/1B	9	6	Finished	77	1
1981	Caesars Palace Grand Prix	McLaren	—	6	7	Finished	75	0
1981	Canadian Grand Prix	McLaren	—	9	2	Finished	63	6
1981	Italian Grand Prix	McLaren	—	7	DNF	Accident	19	0
1981	Dutch Grand Prix	McLaren	—	8	DNF	Ignition	50	0
1981	Austrian Grand Prix	McLaren	—	12	6	Finished	53	1
1981	German Grand Prix	McLaren	—	9	6	Finished	44	1
1981	British Grand Prix	McLaren	—	5	1	Finished	68	9
1981	French Grand Prix	McLaren	—	2	2	Finished	80	6
1981	Spanish Grand Prix	McLaren	—	4	3	Finished	80	4
1981	Monaco Grand Prix	McLaren	—	10	DNF	Engine	53	0
1981	Belgian Grand Prix	McLaren	—	5	7	Finished	54	0
1981	San Marino Grand Prix	McLaren	—	7	10	Finished	58	0
1981	Argentine Grand Prix	McLaren	—	11	DNF	Transmission	36	0
1981	Brazilian Grand Prix	McLaren	—	15	8	Finished	61	0
1981	United States Grand Prix West	McLaren	—	23	DNF	Brakes	16	0
1980	United States Grand Prix	McLaren	—	9	NC	NC	50	0
1980	Canadian Grand Prix	McLaren	—	7	4	Finished	70	3
1980	Italian Grand Prix	McLaren	—	14	DNF	Wheel bearing	20	0
1980	Dutch Grand Prix	McLaren	—	9	DNF	Engine	18	0
1980	Austrian Grand Prix	McLaren	—	21	DNF	Engine	34	0
1980	German Grand Prix	McLaren	—	20	DNF	Engine	39	0
1980	British Grand Prix	McLaren	—	12	8	Finished	74	0
1980	French Grand Prix	McLaren	—	13	7	Finished	53	0
1980	Monaco Grand Prix	McLaren	—	—	DNQ	DNQ	—	0
1980	Belgian Grand Prix	McLaren	—	20	NC	NC	61	0
1980	United States Grand Prix West	McLaren	—	21	4	Finished	79	3
1980	South African Grand Prix	McLaren	—	21	11	Finished	76	0
1980	Brazilian Grand Prix	McLaren	—	23	11	Finished	39	0
1980	Argentine Grand Prix	McLaren	—	17	DNF	Gearbox	5	0
1979	United States Grand Prix	McLaren	—	13	6	Finished	58	1
1979	Canadian Grand Prix	McLaren	—	17	6	Finished	70	1
1979	Italian Grand Prix	McLaren	—	19	DNF	Accident	13	0
1979	Dutch Grand Prix	McLaren	—	12	DNF	Engine	22	0
1979	Austrian Grand Prix	McLaren	—	16	9	Finished	53	0
1979	German Grand Prix	McLaren	—	12	5	Finished	45	2
1979	British Grand Prix	McLaren	—	7	4	Finished	67	3
1979	French Grand Prix	McLaren	—	15	11	Finished	78	0
1979	Monaco Grand Prix	McLaren	—	14	4	Finished	76	3
1979	Belgian Grand Prix	McLaren	—	19	6	Finished	70	1
1979	Spanish Grand Prix	McLaren	—	18	DNF	Engine	21	0
1979	United States Grand Prix West	McLaren	—	18	DNF	Injection	62	0
1979	South African Grand Prix	McLaren	—	14	DNF	Ignition	61	0
1979	Brazilian Grand Prix	McLaren	—	14	8	Finished	39	0
1979	Argentine Grand Prix	McLaren	—	6	3	Finished	53	4
1978	Canadian Grand Prix	Brabham	—	4	DNF	Accident	8	0
1978	United States Grand Prix	Brabham	—	7	DNF	Engine	25	0
1978	Italian Grand Prix	Brabham	—	7	2	Finished	40	6
1978	Dutch Grand Prix	Brabham	—	8	4	Finished	75	3
1978	Austrian Grand Prix	Brabham	—	10	7	Finished	53	0
1978	German Grand Prix	Brabham	—	5	7	Finished	45	0
1978	British Grand Prix	Brabham	—	9	3	Finished	76	4
1978	French Grand Prix	Brabham	—	1	4	Finished	54	3
1978	Swedish Grand Prix	Brabham	—	2	DNF	Spun off	19	0
1978	Spanish Grand Prix	Brabham	—	7	5	Finished	75	2
1978	Belgian Grand Prix	Brabham	—	9	DNF	Accident	18	0
1978	Monaco Grand Prix	Brabham	—	2	4	Finished	75	3
1978	United States Grand Prix West	Brabham	—	5	DNF	Engine	9	0
1978	South African Grand Prix	Brabham	—	10	3	Finished	78	4
1978	Brazilian Grand Prix	Brabham	—	21	8	Finished	61	0
1978	Argentine Grand Prix	Brabham	—	4	DNF	Engine	41	0
1977	Japanese Grand Prix	Brabham	—	3	DNF	Gearbox	29	0
1977	Canadian Grand Prix	Brabham	—	10	DNF	Suspension	1	0
1977	United States Grand Prix	Brabham	—	3	12	Finished	57	0
1977	Italian Grand Prix	Brabham	—	14	DNF	Accident	3	0
1977	Dutch Grand Prix	Brabham	—	8	DNF	Oil leak	2	0
1977	Austrian Grand Prix	Brabham	—	12	8	Finished	53	0
1977	German Grand Prix	Brabham	—	2	DNF	Engine	8	0
1977	British Grand Prix	Brabham	—	2	DNF	Fuel system	60	0
1977	French Grand Prix	Brabham	—	4	2	Finished	80	6
1977	Swedish Grand Prix	Brabham	—	2	5	Finished	72	2
1977	Belgian Grand Prix	Brabham	—	2	DNF	Collision	0	0
1977	Monaco Grand Prix	Brabham	—	1	DNF	Gearbox	48	0
1977	Spanish Grand Prix	Brabham	—	6	DNF	Fuel system	64	0
1977	United States Grand Prix West	Brabham	—	6	DSQ	Push start	33	0
1977	South African Grand Prix	Brabham	—	11	6	Finished	78	1
1977	Brazilian Grand Prix	Brabham	—	7	DNF	Accident	30	0
1977	Argentine Grand Prix	Brabham	—	2	DNF	Suspension	41	0
1976	Japanese Grand Prix	Penske	—	4	DNF	Engine	33	0
1976	United States Grand Prix	Penske	—	8	6	Finished	59	1
1976	Canadian Grand Prix	Penske	—	14	10	Finished	79	0
1976	Italian Grand Prix	Penske	—	27	11	Finished	52	0
1976	Dutch Grand Prix	Penske	—	4	DNF	Gearbox	47	0
1976	Austrian Grand Prix	Penske	—	2	1	Finished	54	9
1976	German Grand Prix	Penske	—	19	7	Finished	14	0
1976	British Grand Prix	Penske	—	11	3	Finished	75	4
1976	French Grand Prix	Penske	—	8	3	Finished	54	4
1976	Swedish Grand Prix	Penske	—	17	DNF	Accident	0	0
1976	Monaco Grand Prix	Penske	—	17	10	Finished	76	0
1976	Belgian Grand Prix	Penske	—	17	7	Finished	69	0
1976	Spanish Grand Prix	Penske	—	13	DNF	Engine	51	0
1976	United States Grand Prix West	Penske	—	9	NC	NC	69	0
1976	South African Grand Prix	Penske	—	3	5	Finished	77	2
1976	Brazilian Grand Prix	Penske	—	8	DNF	Fuel system	2	0
1975	United States Grand Prix	Penske	PC1	12	9	Finished	57	0
1975	Austrian Grand Prix	Surtees	TS16	18	10	Finished	28	0
1975	German Grand Prix	Team Lotus	72E	14	DNF	Suspension	2	0
1975	British Grand Prix	Surtees	TS16	18	11	Accident	54	0
1975	French Grand Prix	Surtees	TS16	14	13	Finished	53	0
1975	Dutch Grand Prix	Surtees	TS16	14	DNF	Vibrations	43	0
1975	Swedish Grand Prix	Surtees	TS16	10	16	Finished	77	0
1975	Belgian Grand Prix	Surtees	TS16	18	10	Finished	68	0
1975	Monaco Grand Prix	Surtees	TS16	17	DNF	Spun off	36	0
1975	Spanish Grand Prix	Surtees	TS16	6	8	Finished	26	0
1975	South African Grand Prix	Surtees	TS16	10	DNF	Clutch	19	0
1975	Brazilian Grand Prix	Surtees	TS16	13	10	Finished	40	0
1975	Argentine Grand Prix	Surtees	TS16	15	DSQ	DSQ	6	0
1974	United States Grand Prix	Brabham	—	7	5	Finished	59	2
1974	Canadian Grand Prix	Brabham	—	15	DNF	Suspension	61	0
1974	Italian Grand Prix	Brabham	—	4	7	Finished	51	0
1974	Austrian Grand Prix	Brabham	—	11	4	Finished	54	3
1974	German Grand Prix	Brabham	—	14	DNF	Suspension	1	0
1974	British Grand Prix	Brabham	—	13	11	Finished	73	0
1974	French Grand Prix	Brabham	—	14	16	Finished	76	0
1974	Dutch Grand Prix	Brabham	—	13	7	Finished	75	0
1974	Swedish Grand Prix	Brabham	—	14	11	Finished	77	0
1974	Monaco Grand Prix	Brabham	—	23	6	Finished	77	1
1974	Belgian Grand Prix	Brabham	—	19	11	Finished	83	0
1974	Spanish Grand Prix	Brabham	—	15	11	Finished	80	0
1974	South African Grand Prix	Brabham	—	13	DNF	Fuel system	56	0
1974	Brazilian Grand Prix	Brabham	—	15	DNF	Clutch	27	0
1974	Argentine Grand Prix	Brabham	—	20	12	Finished	49	0
1973	United States Grand Prix	Brabham	—	24	DNF	Engine	7	0
1973	British Grand Prix	Brabham	BT37	23	DNF	Fuel system	36	0

Show all 154 entriesShow the first 10

Where this comes from

Born: 4 May 1946
Nationality: United Kingdom
Status: retired
Wins: 5 derived · 5 published
Poles: 2 derived · 2 published
Fastest laps: 5 derived
External source: F1DB career totals, v2026.18.0
Confidence: high
Source: https://www.formula1.com/en/drivers

Entries is counted here from the race records, one for every race a driver was entered for, and wins, podiums and poles are counted the same way and checked against the published totals on every build. Starts is counted from those records too: an entry is a start unless the result the source printed says it never was - did not qualify, pre-qualify, start or practise, or excluded before the start - so a pit-lane start counts and so does a retirement on the first lap. The published entry and start figures are a separate count kept for the few drivers who have one, reached by rules this database does not hold. Where a published figure and the counted one disagree, both are shown and neither is corrected.