©Pirelli
Former British F3 champion, European F2 winner and F1 driver Brian Henton celebrates his 71st birthday today.
For all his credentials prior to reaching F1, the popular streetwise kid from Derby never shined at the pinnacle of motorsport.
By the accounts of many who worked with him - at Lotus, Tyrrell, Toleman and Arrows - he certainly didn't owe his shortfall to a lack of talent.
"Brian was one of the best I ever worked with, no doubt about it," remembers famed Ferrari designer Rory Byrne, who worked with Henton at Toleman from 1978-81.
"He had the talent to win Grand Prix and maybe even more if circumstances had allowed. Brian was all about drive, skill and ambition."
'Super Hen' competed in 19 Grand Prix, but his only claim to fame was the fastest lap registered at the 1982 British Grand Prix with Tyrrell.
