F1: Oldest living F1 driver dead at 102

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Kenneth McAlpine a British F1 driver from England has died at 102 (1920-2023).

McAlpine was born in Cobham, Surrey and was a grandson of Scottish civil engineer Sir Robert McAlpine.

He participated in seven Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on July 19, 1952 at the British Grand Prix. He scored no championship points.

During the development of the Connaught Racing Team based at Send in Surrey, McAlpine became a considerable financial backer and enjoyed several team owner triumphs, including Tony Brooks’s memorable F1 victory at the 1955 Syracuse Grand Prix. The team was eventually broken up in 1958 and the cars sold off.

McAlpine and co-driver Eric Thompson took part in the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans driving a Connaught ALSR. They retired after 6 hours with engine failure.

After retiring from motor racing, McAlpine returned full-time to his civil engineering business and later established a successful English wine growing and bottling business at his estate in Lamberhurst, Kent. He was also a member of The British Air Squadron.