AN exhibition dedicated to a Formula 1 driver from Kidderminster who died following a crash is set to open.

Peter Collins F1 Hero Mustow Green to Nürburgring opens on June 10 at Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum, until January 20, 2024.

Collins was born in 1931 in Mustow Green, and alongside Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn, he was one of the three British golden boys of 1950s motor racing.

He was offered a place in the 1956 Ferrari F1 team, a lineup which included World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio.

Collins could have been Britain’s first Formula 1 World Champion in 1956 but, in the days when drivers could change cars during a race, he stopped in the last race of the season, the Italian Grand Prix in Monza and gave his car to Fangio, when the Argentinian’s car suffered mechanical problems.

It prevented Collins from winning the world title and allowed Fangio to claim his fourth title.

Collins said of his actions at the time: “I am only 25 years old and have plenty of time to win the championship on my own.”

Sadly, Collins died less than two years later, at the age of 26, following a fatal crash during the 1958 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring.

At his funeral service in Stone, near Kidderminster, racing teams and motor industry representatives stood alongside family, friends, garage employees and civic representatives.

Kidderminster railway station was blanketed with flowers from around the world.

The exhibition tells the story of Collins’ short life and features personal items including his racing helmet and gloves, plus original photographs and letters.

David Nash, social history curator at Worcester Art Gallery and Museum said: “As well as the incredible motor racing history there’s a very human story to be told, of someone who dreamed big but who sadly had his life cut short whilst pursuing his passion and his goal.

"Peter deserves to be remembered.”

Entry to the exhibition is free, and the gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10.30am to 4.30pm.