Keke Rosberg

Keke Rosberg was the 1982 Formula 1 World Champion and a flamboyant, fearless racer who became Finland's first grand prix world champion. Famed for his spectacular, on-the-limit driving style, the Finn took five wins, five pole positions and 17 podiums across 114 starts, proving that sheer commitment and bravado could deliver the ultimate prize.

Rosberg fought his way up through the lower formulae and unfancied teams such as Theodore, Wolf, ATS and Fittipaldi before a move to Williams transformed his career. In 1982 he claimed the championship with a single race victory, taking the title through remarkable consistency in one of the most open seasons in the sport's history. He remained a front-runner with Williams through the mid-1980s, including a legendary qualifying lap at Silverstone in 1985 that averaged over 160 mph, before a final season at McLaren in 1986 and his retirement from Formula 1.

A trailblazer for Finnish motorsport who paved the way for the generations of fast Finns who followed, Rosberg later saw his son Nico win the 2016 world title, making them one of only two father-and-son pairings to be crowned Formula 1 champions.

Rosberg was an instinctive, aggressive driver who attacked every lap with opposite-lock flair, never afraid to wrestle a difficult car into submission. His committed, all-action style made him a favourite with fans and a benchmark for raw bravery in the turbo era. As the pioneering Finnish champion and father of a future world champion, he occupies a special and lasting place in Formula 1 history.