Pitlane Heroes
with Stuart & Di Spires - Ford Motorsport.
F1 Racing, October 1996.

Nationalities: British.
Team: Ford Motorsport.
Job Titles: Hospitality Managers.

What is their claim to fame?
The best cooked breakfasts in the paddock.

Are they just caterers?
No. They are in charge of the Ford motorhome as well, so they help out with entertaining the guests.

Does that mean their day ends after breakfast?
'Mum' and 'Dad', as they are affectionately known by paddock insiders, prepare 330 meals at grands prix, including lunch and dinner, split between Cosworth mechanics, Sauber staff, and the press.

How long have they been working in F1?
They started in 1978 with John Surtees' F1 team and have worked every year since, including spells with Tyrrell, Toleman, Lotus, and Benetton, before joining Ford at the start of 1995. They only go home four times a year on average. Because they spend so much time together, they claim it's a good thing they're married!

Which driver have they most enjoyed cooking for?
Ayrton Senna's Brazilian charm sits at the top of their list. But Nelson Piquet and Alessandro Nannini were also favoured customers in the scoff queue. Piquet still sends them a Christmas card addressed to Mum and Dad.

Will they ever stop?
They will only call it a day when they start dreading the start of the season. That moment hasn't arrived.

Any ambitions out of the kitchen? Di wants to write a book about her experiences in F1. She reckons she can earn a fortune before it even hits the shelves by blackmailing members of the paddock! Also, they both want to do a season in IndyCars before pulling the plug - they've taken a shine to the Cosworth motorhome which comes to the Canadian Grand Prix each year.