4. Mike Spence
Active years: 1963 - 1968
36 GPs - 1 podium
During his formative years in Formula 1, Mike Spence was the perfect understudy at Lotus for team leader Jimmy Clark. He raced in the shadow of the great Scot for three seasons as a dedicated professional quietly learning his trade from the best man in the business.
When a number one seat at BRM came up for grabs following Jackie Stewart's move to Matra/Tyrrell at the end of 1967, Spence was determined to step up to the plate and showcase his indisputable front-running speed.
Between the opening round of the 1968 world championship at Kyalami - a race won by Clark - and the second round scheduled in Spain four and a half months later, came a tragic event - Clark's death at Hockenheim - and an offer too big to refuse for Spence: a shot at the Indy 500 with the Lotus 56 turbine car.
When practice kicked off in early May, a confident Spence quickly came to grips with the Speedway, the Briton clocking in with the second fastest lap in the oval's history. But in an attempt to improve his already impressive 169.55mph average, Spence struck the wall at Turn 1 and was dealt a mortal blow.
Formula 1 was robbed of a popular figure and an unrewarded talent, and of a driver who was on the brink of greatness.
