The F1 perfectionist who pushed too soon
Formula 1's carbon-fibre pioneer was a legendarily tough cookie, known as the 'Prince of Darkness' (at McLaren) and the 'Godalming Scud' (at Benetton). Has time mellowed the father of some of F1's most beautiful cars?
Motorsport.com's Prime content
The best content from Motorsport.com Prime, our subscription service. Subscribe here to get access to all the features.
The 72-year-old frame might be more venerable, but the grey-blue eyes possess the same intense stare you'll recognise from countless photographs.
As John Barnard strides purposefully into the Segrave Room in the Royal Automobile Club's cloistered Pall Mall clubhouse and encloses your hand in a firm grip, you notice he has deviated somewhat from the dress code... and briefly wonder if the doorman braced to apprehend him for arriving without a tie was silenced by a look.
Share Or Save This Story
The rookies looking to make their mark on F1 in 2023
The mixed fortunes of F1 2021's rookie crop
How F1 launch season heightened anticipation for racing
The mantra Ocon must follow to challenge Alonso at Alpine
How McLaren F1’s new investors have already made an impact
The real-life racing rogues stranger than fiction
Why Renault's survivor wasn't part of Alpine's plans
The uncomfortable dilemma resulting from F1's constant expansion
How real-time scrutineering ensures fair and consistent competition in motorsport
The day Button scored his 'best F1 win'... until next time!
New compound to thwart Porsche’s inspired Long Beach ‘no tires’ call
Surging Chase Briscoe says a win "is right around the corner"
Why F1 2026 worst-case fears could be key to new rules success
How the F1 driver market situation sits for each team with 2025 openings
What's been going wrong for Leclerc in F1's tiny margins qualifying game
What the Chinese GP's highlights reveal about its first F1 race for five years
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
