Slim Borgudd, a former Formula One racer, ABBA drummer and singer, passed away at the age of 76 following a protracted illness, know his cause of death
An F1 driver who toured with Abba!
As a drummer for Swedish jazz-rock bands, his musical career would become more glamorous. The rise to fame of ABBA would actually aid the celebrity in supporting his racing career. Björn Ulvaeus, an original member of ABBA, was close friends with Borgudd, and the band funded him to drive for the ATS team with the band’s name on his vehicle.
Abba drummer and F1 driver Slim Borgudd cause of death, obituary, age, songs, band and career stats
Swedish Formula 1 driver Slim Borgudd, who also worked as a session musician for 1970s supergroup ABBA, has died at the age of 76 due to a prolonged illness.
His first career was as a drummer, mainly in jazz-rock, most notably for short-lived groups Lea Riders Group, Made In Sweden and Solar Plexus and he also worked with Björn Ulvaeus’s group the Hootenanny Singers and ABBA, being sponsored as a Formula One driver by the latter.
I’m sad to hear of the passing of Slim Borgudd, 76, one-time jazz drummer, mate of Björn Ulvæus, & therefore sponsored by #Abba during his brief #F1 career (pic: ’81 ATS HGS1). He was more successful in truck racing than he was in single-seaters. #RIPSlimBorgudd pic.twitter.com/5X4vJkKXcD
— Matt Bishop 🏳️🌈 (@TheBishF1) February 23, 2023
RIP Slim Borgudd 🇸🇪
ABBA drummer, F1 driver. Wild but excellent combo.
Pictured here driving for Mazda in the 1994 World Touring Car Cup at Donington Park. pic.twitter.com/fMGazc7rkF
— Tom Arron (@norramot) February 23, 2023
The racer was able to have a prosperous career in both music and racing. In an effort to get his F1 career off the ground, he even went on tour with ABBA and joined the band as a session drummer. In the course of the 1981 and 1982 Grand Prix seasons, Borgudd would eventually compete in 10 of them.
The Tyrrell team hired him after he had previously driven for ATS. As he finished sixth in the ATS vehicle at the 1981 British Grand Prix, he earned his lone championship point. The Swedish driver competed in lower division races through the 1960s until moving up to Formula 3 in 1976.
More on Slim Borgudd
Slim Borgudd’s qualifications as a racing driver weren’t exactly his biggest claim to fame when Borgudd made his F1 debut with the ATS squad at the 1981 San Marino Grand Prix. The Swedish man was referred to as ABBA’s former drummer, despite the fact that he was more of a session musician who had worked mostly in the pop group’s recording studio.
The underfunded Borgudd, who was frequently pictured with Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA, had been learning the F3 ropes from 1976 to 1979, winning the Swedish championship in his final year, before graduating somewhat unexpectedly to F1 in 1981 with ATS.
During his 10 Grand Prix appearances in 1981 and 1982, Borgudd held his own on occasion and even finished sixth in his second race at Silverstone, suggesting that he may have been a better musician than a driver. He won a European championship in truck racing after his F1 career ended, then he retired.
As the star’s passing was reported, tributes began to pour in.
One supporter tweeted: “Slim Borgudd, RIP. F1 driver and ABBA drummer. Crazy but great combination.” Another F1 fan stated: “Slim Borgudd, RIP. In 1981, I had the pleasure of watching you compete in the British Grand Prix.”