F1 Champions in saloons

Stars who sampled racing life with a roof

JACKIE STEWART

Having driven touring cars early in his career, Stewart returned to tin-tops with the factory Cologne Ford Capri team as a guest star in the European Touring Car Championship. JYS and Tyrrell team-mate François Cevert teamed up for the 1972 Paul Ricard Six Hours (above, chasing Rolf Stommelen/John Fitzpatrick BMW), but were beaten by the Wiggins Teape Capri of Brian Muir and John Miles. Stewart made more Capri appearances in 1973, and was 40 minutes away from winning the Monza Four Hours when a camshaft broke. He teamed up with Emerson Fittipaldi for the Nürburgring Six Hours but the car only lasted 16 laps, and finished fifth with Jochen Mass at Ricard.

ALAN JONES

The 1980 world champion made 97 starts in the Australian touring car series between 1985 and 2002. but won only three times. Away from the V8 Supercars, Jones also competed in Australia’s 2-litre Super Touring series in the 1990s and briefly returned to the Williams fold to drive a Renault Laguna at Bathurst in 1997, only to crash out on oil.

KEKE ROSBERG

After a season in sportscars with Peugeot, the 1982 world champion turned his hand to the DTM with AMG Mercedes in ’92. Mika Häkkinen’s former manager started well by winning a qualifying race on his debut at Zolder. He gave the Opel Calibra its maiden outing at the end of 1993, ready for a full attack with Joest the following year. Always flamboyant and exciting. Keke was the DTM’s biggest draw, but he didn’t win a race for Opel. He formed his own team for 1995, his last season as a driver.

NIGEL MANSELL

Who can possibly forget the 1992 world champion’s dalliance with the British Touring Car Championship? Having conquered lndycars in ’93, Mansell pulled in the crowds for the end-of-season TOCA Shoot-Out at Donington and suffered a huge crash live on TV at Starkey’s Bridge (below). Ford lured him back into a Mondeo for three star appearances in ’98. His best showing was a brilliant drive in the wet at Donington inevitably, live on TV once again.