Today Ken Tyrrell, Chairman of the Tyrrell ...

Published on 20 February 1998 by Verstappen Info Page

Today Ken Tyrrell, Chairman of the Tyrrell Racing Organisation, announced that he steps down as head of the team that he founded in 1960. His son, Bob Tyrrell, also resigned. Technical director Dr. Harvey Postlethwaite, takes ove the combined roles of Managing Director and Technical Director. Last november the team was acquired by the newly formed British American Racing team. Ken Tyrrell cited differences in management priorities between his team and British American Racing as the reason for his decision.

Ken Tyrrell at the 1997 Hungarian Grand Prix
copyright Tyrrell Racing Organisation
Ken Tyrrell: "The issue we’ve been grappling with for the last month is the significant difference in agendas for Tyrrell and British American Racing during 1998. We at Tyrrell are about to enter what is our final season in the sport, and our priorities are necessarily rather more short-term in their focus than those of British American Racing, which must plan for its long-term future in Formula One." Ken concluded: "I freely admit that this has been a very difficult decision, but I’m sure it’s the correct one."

Ken Tyrrell started his motorsport career as a driver in the early fifties. In the late fifties he ran the Cooper Formula 2 team. In 1960 Tyrrell set up his own team and entered cars in Formula 2 and 3. In 1967 he made the step to Formula 1 and hasn't missed a single race since then. Ken raised stars like Jackie Stewart and Jean Alesi. Jackie Stewart, now also a team owner: "Without Ken Tyrrell I would not be in Formula One today and I certainly would not be the Jackie Stewart that people know. Aside from myself he has introduced and nurtured more drivers than anybody else in the sport. As a result, motor racing owes Ken a tremendous debt."