John Cooper CBE

John Cooper has had his years of hard work for motor racing officially recognised. The father of the modem F1 car has been awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire medal for services to the industry.

The award comes in recognition of over 50 years of work after his company came to prominence soon after the war. Working with his father, Charles, the Cooper concern became the team to beat in 500cc racing before graduating to sports and, most famously, F1 cars, the marque winning its first Grand Prix in 1958 and back-to-back championships in 1959 and ’60. The appeal of the name broadened following the wild success in rallying of the Mini Cooper during the ’60s and lives in the performance versions of the car. MOTOR SPORT sends its most sincere congratulations to one of the few true greats of our sport.