SURTEES TS19 Ford-Cosworth DFV

   In 1976, the English team Surtees Racing Organization, founded by former Formula 1 World Champion John Surtees, was finally able to retire the now obsolete TS16, which had been competing on world circuits for several seasons, and develop a new single-seater. "Long John," as Surtees was known in the racing world, managed to secure new financial backing by leveraging multi-sponsorship, a strategy that involved selling different sections of each car's bodywork to various partners. This approach attracted sponsors interested in supporting the car on a race-by-race basis without having to bear the costs of an entire season.

SURTEES TS19, Alan Jones
Jarama, Spanish GP 1976

   As a result, the two official cars, driven by American Brett Lunger and Australian Alan Jones, featured different sponsors and liveries. Lunger’s car was entered as Team Surtees, sporting a red-and-white livery and receiving sponsorship from Campari, Chesterfield, and Benrus throughout the season. Meanwhile, Jones’ car caused a stir when it was unveiled with an entirely white and gold livery, bearing sponsorship from Durex condoms, which also lent its name to the team entering the car: Team Durex Surtees. Thanks to these new financial resources, Surtees was able to refresh its technical staff, hiring young engineer Ken Sears, who worked alongside Surtees himself to design the new Surtees TS19.

SURTEES TS19, Brett Lunger
Nürburgring, German GP 1976

   The car did not introduce any groundbreaking innovations and was clearly inspired by the Brabham BT44, featuring 45°-angled side pods that ended just behind the cockpit, leaving the Ford Cosworth DFV V8 engine exposed. Paired with the classic Hewland FGA 400 gearbox, the engine was mounted on an aluminum monocoque chassis. The snowplow-style nose housed the radiators to provide additional front-end downforce, while the car’s short wheelbase (2502 mm) and 580 kg weight contributed to its agility.

SURTEES TS19, Alan Jones
Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1976

   Due to delays in securing sponsors and assembling the first car, Team Surtees skipped the season opener in Brazil and entered a single TS19 for Lunger at the second race in South Africa. By the third round, the second TS19 was finally ready, allowing Team Durex Surtees and Alan Jones to join the championship. Lunger missed both the Dutch Grand Prix and the Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji, where he was replaced by Swede Conny Andersson in Zandvoort and Japanese driver Noritake Takahara in Fuji. Additionally, at the Monaco Grand Prix (the fifth round of the championship), Lunger was unable to participate because his TS19 had been sold to French driver Henri Pescarolo. The third TS19, intended for Lunger, was not assembled in time. Pescarolo continued the season with his TS19, entered under Norev Racing BS Fabrications, while the third Surtees car was only completed in time for the following race in Sweden.

SURTEES TS19, Henri Pescarolo
Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1976

   Overall, the new Surtees TS19 proved to be significantly more competitive and reliable than the team’s previous cars, built at its Edenbridge facility in Kent, southeast of London. Thanks to three points-scoring finishes, all achieved by Jones, the team accumulated seven points in the Constructors' Championship, securing 10th place overall.