Jody Scheckter

Jody Scheckter – 1979 Driver’s Championship Winner

Jody Scheckter is best known as South Africa’s only Formula 1 World Champion, securing the Drivers’ Championship in 1979 with Ferrari after giving Tyrrell’s iconic six-wheeler its first ever win. Renowned for his fearless driving style, he became a defining figure of 1970s Formula 1, earning a reputation as both fast and daring. Nicknamed the “South African Wild Man,” he left an indelible mark on the sport with his bravery and skill behind the wheel. Today, Scheckter is celebrated not only for his racing legacy but also for his post-retirement ventures into business, farming, and public speaking.

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Credentials and Impact

Jody retired from Formula 1 in 1980, just one year after winning the 1979 World Championship with Ferrari, the only driver from Africa ever to achieve this honour. In the years immediately following his retirement, his achievements were recognised internationally when he was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1983.

During the mid-1980s, Scheckter launched Firearms Training Systems, a company that developed advanced simulators for police and military personnel. The business expanded worldwide before he eventually sold it, marking a highly successful transition from sport to entrepreneurship. In the following years, he also supported the racing careers of his sons, Tomas and Toby, applying his own experience at the highest level of motorsport.

In the 1990s, Scheckter turned his focus to agriculture. He established Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire, a 2,500-acre biodynamic and organic estate. The farm became one of the UK’s leading examples of sustainable food production and earned national acclaim. Among its awards, the farm’s Hebridean lamb was named “Best UK Food” at the Taste of Britain Awards in 2007.

Today, Scheckter continues to serve as an ambassador and advisor in both motorsport and farming, extending his influence across industries far beyond the Formula 1 paddock.

Publications and Media

Jody’s media presence began during his Formula 1 career, when he was regularly profiled in motorsport publications. He has given in-depth interviews to RaceFans, Motor Sport Magazine, and F1Destinations. Jody’s farming ventures have also featured on programmes like Countryfile, Escape to the Country, and Sugar-Free Farm.

Why Book Jody?

Jody offers audiences a rare blend of sporting triumph, entrepreneurial innovation, and sustainable leadership. As the 1979 Formula 1 World Champion with Ferrari, he speaks with the authority of someone who has competed and won at the very highest level of international sport. His stories from the racetrack are thrilling and often humorous, revealing lessons in resilience, focus, and risk management.

After leaving Formula 1, Scheckter built and sold a successful global business before establishing Laverstoke Park Farm, now recognised as one of the UK’s leading biodynamic and organic farms. His talks connect these diverse experiences, showing how the mindset of a world champion can drive success across industries.

A natural communicator, Scheckter has delivered keynote addresses and corporate lectures worldwide. He is an ideal speaker for organisations seeking inspiration on performance, reinvention, sustainability, and leadership through the voice of a true motorsport legend.

To book Jody to speak at your event, call SpeakOut on +44 (0) 20 8914 8966. Alternatively, complete our contact form to begin your enquiry

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