Richard Robarts

Richard Underwood Robarts (22 September 1944 - Present): British racing driver who competed in four Formula One World Championship Grands Prix in 1974, representing the era of well-funded amateur racers who purchased drives with limited success. Born in England, Robarts came from a wealthy background that enabled him to pursue motorsport at the highest level despite not progressing through the traditional junior formulae ladder. With financial backing from a wealthy estate agent friend, he purchased a Formula One drive with the Brabham team for the 1974 season, taking the seat vacated by Wilson Fittipaldi. Robarts made his World Championship debut at the non-championship Questor Grand Prix at Ontario Motor Speedway on 13 January 1974, finishing 12th.

He then competed in three championship races for Brabham: the Argentine Grand Prix (failed to qualify), the Brazilian Grand Prix (failed to qualify), and the South African Grand Prix (qualified but retired with gearbox failure after two laps). After just three races, Brabham replaced Robarts with the better-funded Rikky von Opel, who brought more substantial sponsorship. Robarts then attempted to secure a drive with Frank Williams Racing Cars, entering the Swedish Grand Prix with the Iso Marlboro FW02 when Arturo Merzario was unwell, but this opportunity also proved unsuccessful. His Formula One career ended without scoring a championship point, having qualified for only one of his four race entries.

Robarts' brief F1 stint illustrates the commercial realities of 1970s Formula One, when team budgets were tight and drivers with financial backing could purchase drives despite limited experience or results. His replacement by von Opel after just three races demonstrated the cold calculations teams made when comparing drivers primarily by their sponsorship value rather than talent alone. After leaving Formula One, Robarts stepped away from top-level motorsport. He represents the numerous amateur drivers who reached Formula One's grid during the sport's expansion in the 1970s, when opportunities existed for wealthy enthusiasts willing to fund their own campaigns, even if success remained elusive.

Known for: Purchasing a Formula One drive with Brabham in 1974, being replaced after three races by the better-funded Rikky von Opel, failing to qualify for two of his four race entries, and never scoring a World Championship point.