EnglishRacing DriverFormula RacingSports Car Racing

Andrew Gilbert-Scott

Andrew Gilbert-Scott is a British former racing driver known for his extensive career in Japanese motorsport and his role as manager for Takuma Sato.

1. Early Life and Background

Andrew Gilbert-Scott's early life laid the foundation for his distinguished racing career, which began in the early 1980s. His background also includes notable family connections to historical figures and prominent architectural lineages.

1.1. Birth and Initial Career Start

Andrew Gilbert-Scott was born on 11 July 1958. He commenced his professional racing career in 1981, initially competing in the Formula Ford British championship. His talent quickly became evident, leading him to join the Lola Formula Ford works team in 1983. During this period, Gilbert-Scott achieved significant success, winning both the RAC and Townsend Thoresen Championships, establishing himself as a promising young driver.

1.2. Family and Personal Connections

Andrew Gilbert-Scott comes from a family with notable historical and professional connections. He is related to Thomas Scott, a rector of Aston Sandford, Buckinghamshire, who is recognized for writing the first commentary on the English Bible. Additionally, Gilbert-Scott is a second cousin to Angus William Thomas Gilbert Scott, an ultralight aviator who achieved world record status. His lineage also includes a descent from distinguished architects, specifically Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and Sir George Gilbert Scott. Furthermore, his mother's side of the family holds ownership of the Morgan Car Company, a British automotive manufacturer known for its classic sports cars.

2. Racing Career

Andrew Gilbert-Scott's professional racing career spanned across various continents and disciplines, marked by a period of foundational development in Europe followed by extensive and successful participation in Japanese motorsport.

2.1. Early UK and European Years (1981-1991)

Gilbert-Scott's initial racing experiences were rooted in the UK and European championships. After his successful stint in Formula Ford, he progressed to Formula Three in 1986, racing for the Chuck McCarthy Racing team and securing an 11th-place finish overall. In 1987, he moved up to the FIA International Formula 3000 Championship, where he competed in some races. During this time, he also branched into sports car racing, participating in series such as the World Sportscar Championship and the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship.

Despite his efforts, Gilbert-Scott felt a lack of significant progress in Europe, which motivated his decision to explore opportunities in Japan in 1988. He returned to Europe in 1989, finding greater success in the British Formula 3000 series while racing for the Eddie Jordan Racing team, where he finished second overall in the championship. He also continued to compete in the International Formula 3000 series that year for GA Motorsports. In 1989, he made his debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of the Silk Cut Jaguar team, driving the Jaguar XJR-9 LM. For the subsequent two years, Gilbert-Scott continued his involvement in the International Formula 3000 championship, racing for Leyton House Racing in 1990 and making several appearances for the Roni Motorsport team in 1991. However, he did not achieve significant results during this latter period in European Formula 3000. In late 1991, he was also considered as a candidate for a test driver role with the Williams Formula One team, though the position ultimately went to Damon Hill.

2.2. Move to Japan and Subsequent Career (1987-1997)

Gilbert-Scott's career in Japan became a defining period, where he became a prominent figure in the local motorsport scene.

2.2.1. Initial Stint in Japan (1987-1988)

Gilbert-Scott first ventured into Japanese motorsport in 1987, participating in the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship with TOM'S. In 1988, he further expanded his Japanese racing activities by competing in the All-Japan Formula Three Championship. These early experiences in Japan set the stage for his more extensive future engagements in the country's racing championships.

2.2.2. Return to Japan and Success (1992-1997)

In 1992, Andrew Gilbert-Scott made a decisive return to Japan, securing a contract with the Stellar International racing team. This move marked the beginning of a highly successful and extended period in Japanese motorsport. He competed in the All Japan Formula 3000 Championship and also drove for Stellar International in the All Japan Touring Car Championship (JTC) with their BMW M3. His dedication paid off in the 1993 All Japan Touring Car Championship, where he achieved a significant milestone by winning the Class 2 championship alongside his teammate Akihiko Nakaya.

Gilbert-Scott continued to race actively in Japan until 1997, participating in the subsequent Formula Nippon championship, which commenced in 1996 and succeeded the All Japan Formula 3000 series. His consistent presence and strong performances across these championships made him a widely recognized and respected name among Japanese race fans.

2.2.3. 1992 Suzuka Accident

During the 1992 All Japan Formula 3000 season, a major and tragic accident occurred at the Suzuka Circuit involving Andrew Gilbert-Scott. In the fourth round of the championship at Suzuka, Gilbert-Scott's car made contact with that of Eiki Ogawa, a driver who had previously been with the Stellar team. The collision caused both vehicles to violently impact the wall at the back of the first corner. The accident resulted in the immediate deaths of Eiki Ogawa and a photographer, Kazuhide Sakurai, who was positioned near the crash site. The incident was a deeply unfortunate event that cast a somber shadow over the season.

2.3. 24 Hours of Le Mans

Andrew Gilbert-Scott participated in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race on two occasions. In 1989, he raced with the Silk Cut Jaguar team (Tom Walkinshaw Racing) driving a Jaguar XJR-9 LM in the C1 class. Alongside co-drivers Patrick Tambay and Jan Lammers, they completed 380 laps, securing an impressive 4th place overall and 4th in class. His second appearance at Le Mans was in 1997, driving a McLaren F1 GTR for the GTC Racing team (known as Gulf Team Davidoff) in the GT1 class. In this race, with co-drivers Ray Bellm and Masanori Sekiya, they completed 326 laps but ultimately retired (DNF).

3. Post-Racing Career

Following his retirement as a full-time professional racing driver in 1997, Andrew Gilbert-Scott transitioned into new roles within the motorsport world. A significant part of his post-racing career involved driver management, most notably for Japanese Formula One driver Takuma Sato. Gilbert-Scott served as Sato's manager from 2001 until 2009, guiding his career through various stages, including his time in Formula One.

Beyond management, Gilbert-Scott also made public appearances related to motorsport. In 1998, he was featured in a Jeremy Clarkson video titled "The Most Outrageous DVD in the World...Ever!" He has raced Jordan Grand Prix cars on various other occasions, including again at Silverstone Circuit in 2001.

4. Racing Record

This section provides a comprehensive compilation of Andrew Gilbert-Scott's detailed race results and standings from various championships throughout his career, organized in tabular format.

4.1. Complete Formula Nippon Championship Results

YearTeam1234567891011DCPts
1989Team Kygnus TonenSUZFUJMIN 13SUZSUGFUJSUZ NCSUZ 10NC0
1992Stellar InternationalSUZ 7FUJ RetMIN 7SUZ 4AUT 4SUG 6FUJ 11FUJ 8SUZ 2FUJ 4FUJ 129th16
1993Stellar InternationalSUZ 5FUJ 6MIN RetSUZ 4AUT CSUG 8FUJ CFUJ RetSUZ RetFUJ 9SUZ 38th10
1994Stellar InternationalSUZ 13FUJ 1MIN 2SUZ RetSUG 2FUJ 1SUZ 3FUJ 5FUJ 1SUZ Ret2nd45
1995Stellar InternationalSUZ 8FUJ CMIN RetSUZ 11SUG 6FUJ 1TOK 8FUJ 6SUZ 67th12
1996Kanagawa Clinic StellarSUZ RetMIN RetFUJ 7TOK 15SUZ RetSUG 4FUJ RetMIN 7SUZ RetFUJ 513th5
1997Auto Tech StellarSUZMINFUJSUZ 12SUGFUJ RetMINMOTFUJ 14SUZNC0

4.2. Complete British Touring Car Championship Results

YearTeamCarClass12345678910111213DCPtsClass
1989Brodie Brittain RacingFord Sierra RS500OULSILTHRDON ovr:10 cls:6THRSILSILBRHSNEBRHBIRDONSIL53rd121st

4.3. Complete Japanese Touring Car Championship (JTC) Results

YearTeamCarClass123456789DCPts
1988BMW M3JTC-2SUZMINSEN 6TSU RetSUG 4FUJ 6
1991Auto Tech RacingBMW M3 Sport EvolutionJTC-2SUGSUZTSU 3SENAUTFUJ 7
1992Auto Tech RacingBMW M3 Sport EvolutionJTC-2AID 7AUT 2SUG 3SUZ 2MIN 2TSU 5SEN 1FUJ Ret5th85
1993Auto Tech RacingBMW M3 Sport EvolutionJTC-2MIN 1AUT 1SUG 1SUZ 1AID 2TSU 2TOK 1SEN 6FUJ NC1st134

4.4. Complete Japanese Touring Car Championship (JTCC) Results

YearTeamCar123456789101112131415161718DCPts
1994Auto Tech RacingBMW 318iAUT 7AUT 4SUG 5SUG RetTOK RetTOK 11SUZ 11SUZ 10MIN 9MIN 6AID 8AID RetTSU 6TSU 12SEN 16SEN 15FUJ RetFUJ Ret9th34
1995MazdaspeedMazda FamiliaFUJFUJSUGSUGTOKTOKSUZSUZMINMINAID 18AID 16SEN RetSEN RetFUJ RetFUJ RetNC0

4.5. Complete FIA International Formula 3000 Championship Results

YearEntrantChassisEngine1234567891011DCPts
1986BS Automotive Ltd.Lola T86/50Cosworth DFVSIL RetVLL RetPAU DNQSPA 16IMO DNQMUG 15PER 17ÖST DNQBIR RetBUG RetJAR RetNC0
1989GA MotorsportsMarch 89BJuddSILVLLPAUJERPERBRHBIRSPABUGDIJ 315th4
1990Leyton House RacingLeyton House 90BCosworth DFVDON RetSIL 12PAU DNQJER 10MNZ RetPER RetHOC 13NC0
AppomattoxReynard 90DCosworth DFVBRH 10BIR 7BUG 11NOG 13
1991Roni MotorsportRalt RT23Cosworth DFVVLLPAUJERMUGPER DNQHOC 11BRHSPABUGNOGNC0

4.6. Complete British Formula 3000 Championship Results

YearTeam123456789DCPts
1989Eddie Jordan RacingBRH 1THR 3OUL 1DON 3BRH RetSNE 1SIL 2OUL 3BRH Ret2nd45

4.7. Complete British Formula 3 Championship Results

YearTeamEngineClass123456789101112131415161718DCPts
1984Murray Taylor RacingVWASIL 4THR 3SIL 13ZOL DNSTHR 3THR RetDON 8SIL8th17
Richard Trott RacingToyotaSNE 6DONOUL RetSILSPAZANBRH 7THR
Dave Price RacingVWSIL 3
1985Chuck McCarthy RacingASILTHRSILTHRDONZOLTHRTHR 5SIL 13BRH 9SIL RetDON RetSNE RetOUL DSQSIL 10SPA 6ZAN 7SIL 311th7

4.8. 24 Hours of Le Mans Results

YearTeamCo-DriversCarClassLapsPos.Class Pos.
1989Silk Cut Jaguar Tom Walkinshaw RacingPatrick TambayJaguar XJR-9 LMC13804th4th
1997Gulf Team Davidoff GTC RacingRay BellmMcLaren F1 GTRGT1326DNFDNF