'Legend in his own lifetime' Professor Gordon Murray receives lifetime achievement award
Professor Gordon Murray CBEM, the man behind 50 Formula One Grand Prix wins and the Surrey-based pioneering automotive design and super car group of the same name, has received top industry recognition for his contributions.
BBC TopGear bestowed on him the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' for his 60 years of design and engineering in the automotive industry across Formula One and supercars.
Jack Rix, BBC TopGear, Editor-in-Chief, said "This is a man who got his first F1 chief designer job aged just 26.
"A man who went on to bend physics - and the rulebook - to his will and become one of the most successful F1 designers of all time.
"When F1 got a bit boring, he designed the McLaren F1 - and even into his 70s he spearheads a company that is behind the most brilliant, lightweight, analogue supercars the world has ever seen.
"His commitment to lightweight is matched only by his commitment to facial hair. He’s a legend in his own lifetime. Gordon, TopGear salutes you."
Gordon designed his first car in 1965 before moving to the UK to join the Brabham Formula One Team as technical director.
There, he won two world championships (1981 and 1983), before moving to McLaren as technical director in 1988 where he was influential in three consecutive world championship wins - 1988, 1989 and 1990.
After achieving 50 Formula One Grand Prix wins, Gordon went on to establish a new company - McLaren Cars Limited.
In 2007, he formed a new British company for the design, engineering, prototyping and development of vehicles - Gordon Murray Design - and in 2017, founded premium British supercar manufacturer Gordon Murray Automotive with a clear aim – to build the world’s greatest driver's car.
Now customer T.50 supercars are manufactured at the company's new £50m headquarters and vehicle production centre with more than a third of deliveries already made to owners around the world.
When production of the exclusive 100-unit run concludes in 2025, GMA will begin building the track-only T.50s promising the world’s most rewarding circuit-driving experience.
The GMA T.33 Coupe and Spider then follow with the model celebrating 1960s-inspired design paired with the team’s renowned engineering skill.
Executive chairman Murray said: "I am deeply humbled to receive a lifetime achievement award as I’ve simply been lucky enough to pursue my dreams and to create vehicles I love.
"I've always been surrounded by a talented and creative team who share my vision for driving perfection, so this award is for them too.
"I’m delighted that, for almost 60 years, I’ve had the good fortune to work with Formula One drivers, and supercar owners who are as passionate as I am about making and driving great cars."
