Huub Rothengatter

Hubertus 'Huub' Rothengatter is a former racing driver from the Netherlands who recorded 30 entries (25 starts) in the Formula 1 World Championship between 1984 and 1986, driving for Spirit Racing, Osella Squadra Corse and Zakspeed Racing.

Before making a debut in Formula 1, Rothengatter gained some success in F3 and F2, finishing on a podium at 1979 Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix and winning one race in the 1980 European Formula 2 Championship.

Huub Rothengatter

Macau Grand Prix podium as a highlight of his F3 career

Born in October 1954 in Bussum, Huub Rothengatter started his racing career in the mid-1970s, first in the Dutch Formula Ford and then in Formula 3 in different European countries. He wasn't among the front runners but he managed to win one race in the German Formula 3 Championship in 1978, driving a Ralt RT1-Toyota for Racing Team Holland.

Probably the greatest result of his career in junior formulae was a podium at 1979 Macau Grand Prix. He was driving a Chevron B48-Ford for Alan Docking Racing, finishing in the third place behind Geoff Lees and Riccardo Patrese.

Huub Rothengatter

Victory in the Formula 2 race at Zolder

In 1979, Rothengatter also spent a full season in the European Formula 2 Championship, driving a Chevron B48-Hart for Allan Docking Racing-operated Racing Team Holland. His best result was the fifth place at Nurburgring and he finished 18th in the points.

In 1980, he switched to a Toleman TG280-Hart, driving for Docking Spitzley Racing and improving his results. The highlight of the season, but also the highlight of his F2 career, was the victory in the seventh round at Zolder. At the end of the season, Rothengatter finished seventh in the points.

In 1981, Rothengatter recorded five starts in the Formula 2 Championship with Lista Racing Team's March-BMW. The second place at Pergusa was his best result.

Huub Rothengatter made an F1 debut in 1984 with Spirit Racing

Thanks to sponsors, Huub made Formula 1 debut in 1984

After spending more than two seasons out of racing, with just one start in the 1984 World Sportscar Championship with Procar's Sehcar C830-Porsche at Silverstone, Huub returned to full-time racing in summer 1984. He managed to find a sponsor which would help him to start an F1 career.

In July, he made a Formula 1 debut in the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, driving the #21 Spirit 101-Hart for Spirit Racing. He wasn't classified in the official results, completing 14 laps less than race winner Nelson Piquet (Brabham).

In the next round, the Detroit Grand Prix, Rothengatter failed to qualify in a Spirit-Cosworth and then he returned to the Hart-powered car for the rest of the season. He made six more starts in 1984, finishing best in the eighth place in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

In 1985, Huub Rothengatter was driving for Osela Squadra Corse

Seven F1 starts with Osella in 1985

In 1985, Rothengatter missed the first half of the Formula 1 season and then he found a seat in the Osella Squadra Corse from the ninth round, the German Grand Prix at Nurburgring.

Driving an Osella FA1F-Alfa Romeo, he made seven starts and recorded one DNQ in the European Grand Prix at Brands Hatch. His best result was the seventh place in the season-closing Australian Grand Prix at Adelaide.

Huub Rothengatter's car in 1986

1986 Formula One season with Zakspeed

In 1986, Rothengatter spent almost the entire season with Zakspeed Racing, appearing in fourteen of sixteen Grand Prix events. Ha failed to qualify for Monaco Grand Prix, didn't start in two events and retired in ten events. He reached a finish line in Canada (12th place) and Austria (8th place). His last F1 start, but also the last race in a career, was the Australian Grand Prix.

In his post-racing career, Huub Rothengatter is most known as a manager of F1 star Max Verstappen.

Photos: Raymond de Haan,