Ferrer wins Formula 1 title in ex-Laffite Ligier, champions crowned
Ex-Formula Renault driver Matteo Ferrer has wrapped up the Masters Historic Formula One championship for post-78 cars in an ex-Jacques Laffite Ligier, while other Masters champions have also been confirmed
The championship - for DFV-era F1 cars which raced between 1966-'85 - competes at Paul Ricard, Brands Hatch, Magny Cours, Silverstone, Nurburgring, Zandvoort and Spa over the season.
Former rising single-seater star Ferrer marked his transition to historic racing by claiming the post-78 title after a great season in his Ligier JS11/15 in which he also drove up the Goodwood Hillclimb at the Festival of Speed earlier this year in celebration of 50 years of Ligier racing.
Previous Historic F1 champion Martin Stretton clinched the post-83 crown in his Tyrrell 012, while Henry Fletcher, son of 1970s sports car racer Andrew, took his Hans Stuck-liveried March 761 to the pre-78 title.
"We got the March better through the 2018 season and Martin O'Connell did more work over the winter, so I was able to have a good go at the championship this season," said Fletcher.
Jason Wright (Shadow DN8), who also went on to win the Grand Master Trophy (for drivers over the age of 65), and was Fletcher's main rival through the season and finished second in the championship.
In a busy season, Wright also took top honours in the FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship with Andy Wolfe by turning the tables on Fletcher.
Wright and car preparer Wolfe took victory in their Lola T70 Mk3B over Fletcher, who split his season between a Chevron B19 and a later B26.
To complete his memorable year, Wright doubled up by winning the sports car version of the Grand Master Trophy.
Other champions with Masters Historic Racing in 2019 were Christophe d'Ansembourg (Lola-Aston Martin DBR1/2 in Masters Endurance Legends, below), Gentleman Drivers' winner Julian Thomas in a Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, and Tom Bell (Mini Cooper S in pre-66 Touring Cars).
British GT champion Calum Lockie partnered Thomas in all Gentleman Drivers' rounds bar one, while former modern touring car ace Steve Soper regularly partnered Mark Martin in his Lotus Cortina as Martin took the runner-up slot in the touring car championship.
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