Wantage care home resident returns to F1 Heritage Centre

Alan Challis, a resident at Sanctuary Care’s Wantage Residential and Nursing Home, recently visited the Williams F1 Heritage Centre in Grove.

The visit followed outreach by the care home team after they uncovered his extensive motorsport background.

Mr Challis began his career in the late 1950s and worked with top teams including BRM, Lotus, and Williams.

He eventually rose to become chief mechanic during one of Williams’ most successful periods in Formula One.

During the Grove visit, Mr Challis was reunited with the last car he worked on before retiring: the FW13/13B from 1990.

He shared stories from his time in racing, recalling a career that began as a BRM apprentice in the era of front-engined F1 cars.

By the age of 21, he was travelling internationally with race teams, including during Graham Hill’s 1962 World Championship-winning season.

Mr Challis became one of the sport’s most respected mechanics and later served as Car Build Manager at Williams.

He was also known for mentoring and inspiring many colleagues throughout his career.

Mr Challis now lives at the Wantage Residential and Nursing Home, a not-for-profit Sanctuary Care facility.