Peter Revson is known as one of only five Americans to have won a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Even more gratifying is the fact that with this and many other achievements, he brought glory to his native New York. The driver’s career was filled with victories and defeats, loud celebrations and quiet reproaches, and above all, hopes. No less interesting was Peter’s character, which could be considered synonymous with the word ‘contradiction’. So what was the New Yorker really like in racing and in life? Let’s find out. More at i-new-york.
The Wealthy Heir
Peter Revson went down in motorsports history as a skilled driver, an American winner, and a vibrant personality. But despite his numerous achievements, it was difficult for the man to shake his playboy reputation. Glossy magazines tried to create an image that would successfully sell their covers. And they did it well, but behind the provocative headlines and high-society life was a man who was constantly trying to shed that label. So who was Peter Revson?
The man was born and spent his childhood in the quiet town of White Plains, New York. Peter came from a large family and had two sisters and a brother. His father and uncle were the owners of the Revlon cosmetics company, so the future of a wealthy heir already awaited the young man. He studied at various prep schools and had many hobbies and opportunities to find himself in life. Football, jazz, philosophy—the young man impressed with his knowledge in various fields and was a perfect representative of the environment in which he grew up. And the formation of his character should, of course, be credited to his family. Persistent, hardworking, determined—that’s how Peter Revson was raised. It would seem the boy’s entire life was already mapped out: where to study, with whom to associate, what kind of person to become, what profession to choose. Everything changed when the future racer stepped onto his own path. And in an instant, his privileged status became a burden for Peter.
First, Revson bounced between different universities, then he dropped out, refused to join the family business, and finally, chose the path of a race car driver. All of these circumstances led his family to turn their back on him. His parents cut him off financially, and their son dared to build his own career. So, after attempts to work at an advertising agency and a marketing company, the young driver finally bought his first sports car. And from that moment, the real story of Peter Revson begins.
A Driver’s Career
Peter Revson’s driving career began when he bought a Morgan and entered his first competition. He finished second in that race, won the next one, and there was no third attempt, as Peter was kicked out for his aggressive driving style. Since the young man was forging his own path, he had nothing to lose. Soon, he teamed up with old friends—Timmy Mayer and his brother, Teddy. Fate would connect the driver with the latter many more times. With this lineup, the young men set out to conquer Formula Junior in 1962. Timmy and Peter raced, while Teddy handled the organizational side of things. At that time, Revson wasn’t yet showing outstanding results, often losing to his teammate and getting frustrated with his failures. However, the driver’s ambitions were unstoppable, and so he continued on this path alone. The young man gathered all his savings and moved to Great Britain. There, he managed to buy a Cooper T56 and a van, which he used to travel around Europe and compete. It wasn’t what Peter was used to, but he was content with this life. The only thing he lacked were victories.
After persistent work on his car and numerous travels, Revson finally managed to show results. A few wins against novice drivers, gaining experience, and making useful connections helped the driver, but he longed for more. And he went home to the U.S. to get it. This happened in 1965 when the driver participated in Can-Am and Trans-Am. At the time, Peter was reluctant to compete in his home country, but after a while, he realized it was the path every American driver had to take. Moreover, it was here that he gained confidence, new skills, fame, and a reputation as a skilled competitor. The stability of his performances was interrupted by the death of his younger brother, Douglas. He had followed Peter’s example and also competed, which led to a tragedy in 1967 on a track in Denmark. As Peter Revson’s friends recalled, this event had a profound impact on him. After this loss, he gathered his strength and tried even harder, for his brother. The driver had a successful season in 1969 and 1970, and incredible success awaited him.
In 1971, he managed to win the Can-Am championship, won pole position for the Indianapolis 500, and clinched second place in the race. The event was also special for Peter because it was the first time his father and uncle came to watch him race. It was absolute recognition for a man who had worked his whole life on his own terms. As Teddy Mayer recounted, Revson was so surprised that he buckled his seatbelts on backwards and couldn’t maintain 100% concentration during the race. Despite everything, Peter managed to prove himself in the best possible way, and his greatest dream awaited him: Formula 1.
Formula 1
Peter Revson conquered Formula 1 twice. This championship was his dream and his number one goal, as the racer longed to be noticed in Europe. He first achieved success in 1963. That’s when he was hired by Reg Parnell, who was planning to enter the 1964 season with his team, Reg Parnell Racing. Along with Peter, Chris Amon and Mike Hailwood also got spots on the team. The teammates became a legendary trio known as the ‘Ditton Road Flyers’. The drivers lived together in a flat, and their parties became the stuff of legend. The public never tired of discussing how the boys knew how to have a good time. And according to rumors, whoever tried to stop their celebrations would end up joining in. Amon himself said that all these stories were embellished and exaggerated. He also noted that, despite his controversial reputation, Peter approached any event smartly, never sacrificing his racing. This fairytale ended with Parnell’s death, after which the team could not perform at a high level. And so, Revson put Formula 1 aside for a while.
The driver managed to return to his dream championship in 1972. And this attempt was much better, as Peter had gained experience and popularity. That season, he was invited to join McLaren. His potential was noticed by his old friend, Mayer. The only condition was that Revson also had to compete in other series: Can-Am and Indy car racing. And although Peter did not join all the Formula 1 competitions, he managed to finish fifth in the overall driver standings and bring the team third place. 1973 was even better, as Revson secured two victories: at the Grand Prix at Silverstone and in Canada. The driver often outpaced his teammate, claimed several more podiums, and secured third place for the team in the championship. Despite all these achievements, the team management decided to replace him with Emerson Fittipaldi, after which Peter Revson left.
It was a serious conflict that forced the man to work even harder. He had no time for doubts, as he had set a goal for himself to win the championship within three years. That’s why he moved to the Shadow team, with whom he started the 1974 season. The racer demanded a lot from himself in Formula 1. As he saw it, he had no right to be afraid, his only goal was victory, and his main competitor was time. The latter ran out for him on March 22, 1974, when the driver crashed his car during a test session. And so, Peter Revson gave his life for his dream: Formula 1.
Peter’s Character
Playboy, golden boy, most eligible bachelor—these were the labels that quickly stuck to Peter Revson. He was a skilled driver and a kind person, which is perhaps why his life seemed like a fairytale. However, his friends, colleagues, and family knew a different man, one who wasn’t the image from a magazine cover.
First and foremost, Peter shattered the ‘golden boy’ stereotype. Despite his family’s vast fortune, wealthy childhood, and numerous opportunities, Revson chose a different path back in college. He wanted, more than anything, to achieve something on his own and to impress his father with it. And for Peter, success was defined by money, as that was the metric valued in his family. That’s why he traveled in a van, lived off his race winnings, and saved money. The driver achieved everything himself and soon realized that victories in racing were no lesser an indicator of success.
His playboy status wasn’t true either. His colleagues were perhaps the most surprised by such rumors. Yes, they understood that Peter was a handsome, fun, and charismatic driver. However, he was an extremely modest, well-mannered, and private man. It was from Revson that his friends learned how to be gentlemen. And his later relationships became a topic of jest among his inner circle, as Peter was a terrible judge of character.
Another thing to know about the racer is that he was a man of contradictions. He refused his family’s help and achieved everything on his own, yet he still measured success by their standards. He had a strained relationship with his father, yet he sought to impress him above all else. Revson was hardworking, persistent, and diligent, but at the same time, he often argued, created conflict, and was unable to admit his mistakes. The driver’s charisma was undeniable. He loved to be flamboyant, to joke, and to put on a show. But despite this, the man was known for his private nature. So no one could boast that they truly knew the driver. And as his friend, the journalist and author of the book “Speed with Style,” Leon Mandel, noted, Peter Revson was a tiger who walks by himself.
