Auckland Grammar School has seen many remarkable individuals pass through its halls, but few have taken a path as unconventional - and ultimately as triumphant - as Alastair Caldwell '56, who helped shape the golden era of Formula One racing.

Born in Sheffield, Alastair developed a love of cars from a young age and learned to drive at just 12 years old. His family emigrated to New Zealand and moved to Hamilton, where Alastair started high school. In his first year, he had a number of friends in his class who would go on to have a significant impact on motorsport. "I was already working on race cars and was in a class with Jimmy Palmer who was a New Zealand gold star winner and famous race driver, Howden Ganley who became a McLaren employee and a Grand Prix driver and three others who went to the United Kingdom and thrived in motorsport."

Inspired by those around him, Alastair's dream of running a Formula One team was planted early. At 15 years, after running away from home, Alastair was sent to Auckland Grammar School and he was placed in the Senior V form in 1959. However, his unwavering and relentless passion for motorsport - and the support of former Headmaster Sir Henry Cooper – allowed Alastair to pursue his dreams. "The Headmaster spoke to me and suggested that I go to any classes I wanted to and not one that did not interest me. If I wanted to leave the School I could do so but to change out of uniform; he was a very clever man."

With his father wanting him to pursue an academic career after university, Alastair had already secured himself a job, working as an apprentice mechanic for the post office. Eventually, he moved to the United Kingdom to find his dream job with McLaren. However, that dream took root in the most unexpected way. "I started at McLaren as a cleaner, as that was the only job they had available," Alastair recalls. But by the end of that very first day, he had volunteered to help with a race car. "The next day, I was a race car mechanic."

In his own words, Alastair "worked like a lunatic" during the early days at McLaren. "Because my wife and children weren't here yet, I was able to really put the hours in. I would work 16 hours a day, seven days a week; week after week after week just building cars." His determination and talent quickly saw him rise through the ranks.

Working closely with Bruce McLaren, Alastair became an integral part of the team, and was involved in the design, production and preparation of the cars for racing. Alastair's first season was the Grand Prix in Monza, Italy in 1967, and he was with the team up until McLaren's untimely passing in 1970. "After his death, I ended up running the team which was an enormously demanding job but I loved it."

Despite the demands placed on him, under Alastair's leadership, McLaren claimed two Formula One World Championships. The first was with Brazilian driver Emerson Fittipaldi in 1974 (who had only joined the team the previous year), and then in 1976 with Briton James Hunt. The 1976 season is an absolute standout memory for Alastair.

"The title that year, won against the backdrop of fierce rivalry, near-fatal accidents, and personal triumph, became a defining moment in Formula One history. I was a technical advisor on the 2013 film Rush which was made about that season - and I had a small part in the film!" he adds with a touch of pride.

Leaving McLaren in 1979, Alastair went on to have successes working alongside Sir Jack Brabham, where he won another championship with Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet, before moving to the German Auto Technisches Spezialzubehör (ATS) team in 1981. However, McLaren remains Alastair's favourite team. "I had golden years working closely with Bruce himself and then going on to win the championship twice in my own right was just amazing."

Deciding not to set up his own team, Alastair left the motor racing profession after one season with ATS to set up a self-storage business, Space Station, in the UK in 1983, which is still operational today. The company website states that Space Station was "one of the UK's earliest storage pioneers." Alastair has also competed in a number of classic car rallies in cars including the Porsche 912.

Looking back, Alastair holds his brief time at Auckland Grammar in high regard. "I am proud to be an Old Boy of Auckland Grammar School. It had a big effect on me and I still remember it with affection," he says. From the back of a high school classroom in Hamilton to the front of the Formula One grid, Alastair's journey is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the impact of unexpected beginnings.