The Surtees TS16 broadly followed the solutions already tested with the 1973 TS14. The TS16 debuted in 1974 and its performance was also conditioned by the fact that the team did not have the best Cosworth DFV engines, reserved for other teams, and that the car was overweight. Funding from sponsors was more limited than expected. Added to this was the fatal accident of Helmut Koinigg at Watkins Glen in 1974. In 1975 the Surtees team fielded only one car. Pace finished once in the points in 1974, while in 1975 John Watson scored some good results in off-season races. Derek Bell, José Dolhem, Jean-Pierre Jabouille, Leo Kinnunen, Helmut Koinigg, Jochen Mass, Carlos Pace, Dieter Quester and John Watson drove the Surtees TS16.