Difference between revisions of "Gunnar Nilsson"

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(Created page with "'''Gunnar Nilsson''' (born 20th November, 1948 in Helsingborg, Sweden, died 20th October, 1978 in Helsingborg, Sweden) was a Swedish racing driver known for his appearances in...")
 
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==Formula One==
 
==Formula One==
===[[1976 Alternate Formula One season|1976]]-: [[Team Ensign]]===
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===[[1976 Alternate Formula One season|1976]]-[[1977 Alternate Formula One season|1977]]: [[Team Ensign]]===
 
Nilsson made his F1 debut in 1976, driving with the [[Ensign]] team. Nilsson would be the British team's only full time driver this season - with the second car being shared by eight different drivers over the course of the season. Nilsson would be a semi-regular point scorer in 1976, picking up occasional points when attrition took hold. However, Nilsson scored an astounding result in the [[Canadian Grand Prix]], taking a career best second place overall in absolutely torrid conditions. This would be his and Ensign's first podium in [[Formula One]]. Nilsson would finish 1976 in eleventh position overall.
 
Nilsson made his F1 debut in 1976, driving with the [[Ensign]] team. Nilsson would be the British team's only full time driver this season - with the second car being shared by eight different drivers over the course of the season. Nilsson would be a semi-regular point scorer in 1976, picking up occasional points when attrition took hold. However, Nilsson scored an astounding result in the [[Canadian Grand Prix]], taking a career best second place overall in absolutely torrid conditions. This would be his and Ensign's first podium in [[Formula One]]. Nilsson would finish 1976 in eleventh position overall.
  
 
The following year, Nilsson would be joined by [[Lotus]] exile and fellow Swede [[Ronnie Peterson]]. In the initial stages of the season, Nilsson would be outscored by his teammate.
 
The following year, Nilsson would be joined by [[Lotus]] exile and fellow Swede [[Ronnie Peterson]]. In the initial stages of the season, Nilsson would be outscored by his teammate.
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===[[1978 Alternate Formula One season|1978]]: [[Arrows]]===
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In the winter of 1977, Nilsson was diagnosed with a bout of testicular cancer. Regardless, Nilsson would jump ship to the newly-formed [[Arrows]] team following the end of his contract with Ensign. The team would miss the first two races of 1978 in preparation for their debut at the [[United States Grand Prix West|Long Beach Grand Prix]].
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Unfortunately for Nilsson, he would be too ill to take part in any races in 1978 and would pass away in October that year.
  
 
[[Category:Real-life drivers]]
 
[[Category:Real-life drivers]]
 
[[Category:Formula One Drivers]]
 
[[Category:Formula One Drivers]]

Revision as of 13:25, 3 October 2017

Gunnar Nilsson (born 20th November, 1948 in Helsingborg, Sweden, died 20th October, 1978 in Helsingborg, Sweden) was a Swedish racing driver known for his appearances in Formula One and his untimely death from cancer in late 1978.

Formula One

1976-1977: Team Ensign

Nilsson made his F1 debut in 1976, driving with the Ensign team. Nilsson would be the British team's only full time driver this season - with the second car being shared by eight different drivers over the course of the season. Nilsson would be a semi-regular point scorer in 1976, picking up occasional points when attrition took hold. However, Nilsson scored an astounding result in the Canadian Grand Prix, taking a career best second place overall in absolutely torrid conditions. This would be his and Ensign's first podium in Formula One. Nilsson would finish 1976 in eleventh position overall.

The following year, Nilsson would be joined by Lotus exile and fellow Swede Ronnie Peterson. In the initial stages of the season, Nilsson would be outscored by his teammate.

1978: Arrows

In the winter of 1977, Nilsson was diagnosed with a bout of testicular cancer. Regardless, Nilsson would jump ship to the newly-formed Arrows team following the end of his contract with Ensign. The team would miss the first two races of 1978 in preparation for their debut at the Long Beach Grand Prix.

Unfortunately for Nilsson, he would be too ill to take part in any races in 1978 and would pass away in October that year.