1966 Season: The End of an Era

1966 Season: The End of an Era

Historically, but also in purely human terms, there are no eternal things. So it is with the British dominance in Formula 1 in the 1966 season. After several consecutive years of British pilots triumphing with the world title, it is time for a change.

The 1966 season was extremely dynamic and unpredictable. The calendar includes 9 starts, which are won by 5 different drivers. Australian Jack Brabham with Brabham-Repco reached the world title after winning 4 of the races. For the Australian, this is the third and last trophy of his career. Among the constructors, the British dominance is consolidating. Brabham-Repko are on top, followed by Ferrari, who are back in the fray, and Cooper-Maserati.

The 1966 season was marked by another extremely serious tragedy, and the issue of pilot safety was again on the agenda. During the German Grand Prix, on the German Nurburgring track, John Taylor died after a collision with Jackie X's car. An accident also happens at the Belgian Spa. An incident that changes the perception of sport and shows its extremely human side. The wet pavement at Spa leads to a heavy collision with Jackie Stewart's car. The future three-time world champion overturned and remained trapped under his car for 25 minutes. Minutes that turn out to be key to his life, which he later owes to Graham Hill and Bob Bondurant, who get involved in saving him. Against the background of the pouring rain, the two also stop with the help of pocket tools, which they take from the audience.

After the series of incidents and the extraordinary display of courage by pilots fighting for the lives of their colleagues, Jackie Stewart decided to start talks to improve the safety conditions of pilots during races. Thanks to it, all tracks are obliged to offer additional and more complete medical services, which at the time of the accident "Spa" lacked.

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