Mike Parkes

Mike Parkes
Parkes in 1969
Born
Michael Johnson Parkes

(1931-09-24)24 September 1931
Died28 August 1977(1977-08-28) (aged 45)
Riva presso Chieri, Turin, Italy
Cause of deathMultiple vehicle road collision
Formula One World Championship career
NationalityUnited Kingdom British
Active years1959, 19661967
TeamsFry, Ferrari
Entries7 (6 starts)
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums2
Career points14
Pole positions1
Fastest laps0
First entry1959 British Grand Prix
Last entry1967 Belgian Grand Prix

Michael Johnson Parkes (24 September 1931 – 28 August 1977) was a British racing driver and engineer, who competed in Formula One at six Grands Prix from 1966 to 1967.[a] In endurance racing, Parkes won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1964 with Ferrari.

Born in Richmond, Surrey, Parkes was the son of John Parkes, chairman and managing director of the Alvis Group. Parkes participated in seven Formula One Grands Prix, debuting at the 1959 British Grand Prix in a Formula Two car entered by Fry. Amidst a successful sportscar racing career, he returned to Formula One with Ferrari in 1966, achieving one pole position, two podiums, and a total of 14 championship points.

Outside of motor racing, Parkes worked as an automotive engineer; whilst working for the Rootes Group, he was involved in the development of the Hillman Imp. From 1974 onwards, he served as principal development engineer of the Lancia Stratos. In August 1977, Parkes died in a road traffic collision near Turin, aged 45.
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