Geoff Lees
Full Name: |
Geoffrey ‘Geoff’ Lees |
Nationality: |
British |
Born: |
1 May 1951, Atherstone (GBR) |
First GP: |
1979 German Grand Prix |
Last GP: |
1982 French Grand Prix |
Entries: |
12 |
Grands Prix: |
5 |
Non-starts: |
7 |
Wins: |
0 |
Best Finish: |
7th |
Best Grid: |
16th |
Fastest Laps: |
0 |
Points: |
0 |
Retirements: |
3 |
1978 |
Formula 1, Mario Deliotti Racing Ensign Ford V8 N175, 1 entry, 1 DNQ |
1979 |
Formula 1, Tyrrell Ford V8 009, 1 race, 0 points, Not Classified |
1980 |
Formula 1, Shadow Ford V8 DN11 / DN12, 5 entries, 4 DNQ, 1 race, 0 points, Not Classified |
|
Formula 1, Ensign Ford V8 N180, 2 entries, 1 DNQ, 1 race, 0 points |
|
Formula 1, RAM Theodore Williams Ford V8 FW07B, 1 entry, 1 DNQ |
1981 |
European Formula 2, Ralt Racing Honda RH6, 12 races, 3 wins, 5 podiums, 1st overall |
1982 |
Formula 1, Theodore Racing Ford V8 TY02, 1 race, 0 points, Not Classified |
|
Formula 1, JPS Team Lotus Ford V8 91, 1 race, 0 points |

A driver whom many regarded to be among the most professional in the business, Lees had the talent without ever getting a proper crack at the top flight of open-wheel motorsport. This was despite his success in virtually every other championship category he has competed.
A Formula Ford champion in the 1970s, Lees moved quickly into Formula 3 before moving into the Aurora F1 series and Can-Am. He also won the Macau Grand Prix twice.
In between all of this, he took his Grand Prix opportunities when they came about, but he was often saddled with less than competitive (or familiar) machinery and it was a supreme effort to just to qualify for a race. In his twelve World Championship appearances – which occurred sporadically between 1978 and 1982 – he made the qualifying cut just five times.
Taking the 1981 Formula 2 championship crown wasn’t enough to propel him into F1 full-time, and so Lees moved to Japan where he carved out a successful career in TOM’s Toyota sports car team.
CLICK HERE to return to our driver profiles.