Tributes have been paid to British racing driver Peter Gethin, who has died at the age of 71 after a long illness.
Winner in F1's closest finish dies aged 71
Tributes have been paid to British racing driver Peter Gethin, who has died at the age of 71 after a long illness.
Gethin is best known for his only Formula One victory at the 1971 Italian Grand Prix in what is arguably the closest finish in the sport's history.
In just his second race for the BRM team, Gethin took the chequered flag by just 0.01seconds from Ronnie Peterson after a thrilling last lap in which the top five drivers were separated by just 0.61seconds.
With an average speed of 151.634mph, the race was also the fastest in F1 history until Michael Schumacher's victory in the 2003 Italian GP, also at Monza.
Gethin made his Formula One debut with McLaren a year earlier just weeks after the death of the team's founder Bruce McLaren.
He signed for BRM the following season as a replacement for Pedro Rodriguez, who was fatally injured in a crash in Germany.
After his dramatic victory at Monza, Gethin scored only one further point in Formula One and ended his 30-race career with a one-off drive for Graham Hill's Embassy Racing team in the 1974 British Grand Prix.
He did, however, triumph in non-championship F1 races at Brands Hatch in 1971 and 1973, the latter proving a particularly impressive drive as he saw off a strong field while racing Formula 5000 machinery.
Versatile
Gethin was more successful in other formulae, winning the British F5000 title twice and also impressing in the Can-Am series.
He won in both classes with Lola and the manufacturer paid tribute with a message on its website.
The statement read: "Peter was one of the most dependable and versatile racing drivers of the late 1960s and 1970s.
"Successful in most forms of motor sport at his time, Gethin was a true enthusiast who won many races driving for Lola amongst many other constructors."
Gethin also served as director of the British Racing Drivers' Club between 2005 and 2008, and a BRDC statement read: "It is with great regret the club has to announce the death of life member and former director, Peter Gethin.
"Condolences have been passed to his wife, Robbie. Funeral details will be announced shortly."
Meanwhile, McLaren posted on their official Twitter feed: "RIP Peter Gethin - 1940-2011. Our thoughts are with Peter's family at this sad time."
Gethin returned to the sport as manager of the Toleman team in the mid-1980s and also briefly ran a team in Formula 3000.
