12/12/1948
Record updated 12-Dec-18
Roelof Wunderink is a Dutch former racing driver. He participated in six Formula One World Championship Grands Prix for Ensign, debuting on 27 April 1975. He scored no championship points.
A resident of The Hague, Roelof began his racing career in a Group One Simca Rallye saloon in 1970, before progressing to Formula Ford and winning back-to-back Dutch titles in 1972 and 1973 driving a Lotus 61.
With the benefit of strong sponsorship from HB Bewaking alarm systems, Wunderink rushed through Formula 3 with Mo Nunn’s Ensign in 1973 and the 1974 European Formula 5000 Championship with the ex-Teddy Pilette Chevron B24.
Without creating any significant impact but with decent sponsorship he found himself in a works-backed Ensign for 1975. Having to make do with the 74 car, he started the season in non-championship races, finishing 10th in the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch. He retired from his debut in the Spanish Grand Prix before failing to qualify in Monaco.
He then suffered a broken cheekbone and concussion after a testing accident in Tony Dean’s F5000 Chevron B24 at Zandvoort. He returned for another four GPs but only qualified in Austria and the United States. At the end of the season, somewhat disillusioned and fed up with Formula 1, motorsport in general and the way he felt he was treated, the quiet Dutchman slipped out of the racing limelight.
Roelof then became involved in the property business.
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