F1 driver Peter Revson

The American racing driver Peter Revson was born in New York on 27 February 1939. The son and heir of Martin Revson and nephew of the former owner of Revlon cosmetics Charles Revson Peter was able to indulge in his passion for speed participating in both Formula 1 and the Indianapolis 500 amongst other races.

Peter started racing while at Cornell University. His first experience of World Championship Formula 1 driving came in 1964 when he drove a Lotus for Revson Racing (America) at the Monaco Grand Prix but he failed to qualify. Other races with the Revson team and the Reg Parnell (Racing) team, also driving a Lotus, followed. He finished the year having competed at six meetings, finishing only twice, with no championship points. 

He left Formula 1 at the end of 1964 to concentrate on other races and in 1965 won the Monaco Formula 3 race.

In 1967, tragedy hit the Revson family when his brother Douglas, also a racing driver, died in a crash during a race in Denmark. This did not deter Peter from racing. In 1968, he joined the American Motors newly formed Javelin racing program. He competed in endurance events such as the 12 hours of Sebring and in that event, in 1970, his co-drove with Steve McQueen.

Peter Revson’s career in the Indianapolis 500 began in 1969 when, in a Brabham, he finished fifth. The next four years he drove for McLaren in the race and his best result came in 1971 when he started in pole position and finished in second. His teaming with McLaren also gave him first place in the Can-Am in 1971. He was the first American to win the race.

He returned to Formula 1 in 1971 when he drove the Tyrrell 001 for Elf Team Tyrrell at the USA Grand Prix. The next year driving for McLaren, he managed several podium finishes. At the end of the season, he was in fifth place with 23 points in the World driver’s championship.

The next year, 1972, saw Peter Revson winning two Formula 1 Grand Prix when he won the British and Canadian events. At the end of season, he was again in fifth place this time with 38 points. With the close of the 1972 season Revson left McLaren to join the Shadow Racing team.

The 1973 Formula 1 season started in South America with races in Argentina and Brazil. Peter Revson failed to finish either race and went to the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami without scoring a point. During the Practice session on 22 March 1974, Revson’s Shadow Ford DN3 suffered a suspension failure and he died in the resulting crash.

Peter Revson’s body is interred next to that of his brother in a crypt in the Ferncliff cemetery, Hartsville, New York.

In 1996, Peter Revson was inducted into the Sportscar category of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.