1966 Mexican Grand Prix

Last updated
1966 Mexican Grand Prix
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez 1963.svg
Race details
DateOctober 23, 1966
Official name V Gran Premio de Mexico
Location Ciudad Deportiva Magdalena Mixhuca, Mexico City, Mexico
Course Permanent racing facility
Course length 5.000 km (3.107 miles)
Distance 65 laps, 325.000 km (201.946 miles)
Weather Warm, clear
Pole position
Driver Cooper-Maserati
Time 1:53.18
Fastest lap
Driver Flag of the United States.svg Richie Ginther Honda
Time 1:53.75
Podium
First Cooper-Maserati
Second Brabham-Repco
Third Brabham-Repco
Lap leaders
  • 1966 Mexican Grand Prix

The 1966 Mexican Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at the Ciudad Deportiva Magdalena Mixhuca on 23 October 1966. It was race 9 of 9 in both the 1966 World Championship of Drivers and the 1966 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. The race was the fifth Mexican Grand Prix [1] and the first to be run under the new three-litre Formula. [2] It was held over 65 laps of the 5 km (3.1 mi) circuit for a race distance of 325 km (202 mi).

Contents

The race was won by British driver John Surtees driving a Cooper T81-Maserati, his first victory since leaving Scuderia Ferrari to join Cooper. Surtees led home reigning world champion Australian owner-driver Jack Brabham, driving a Brabham BT20-Repco, [3] by eight seconds. A lap down in third place, also driving a Brabham BT20, was Brabham's teammate New Zealander Denny Hulme.

Surtees's victory promoted him to second place in the championship, vaulting past Austrian driver Jochen Rindt of the Cooper works team.

Race report

John Surtees dominated to take his first win since transferring from Ferrari to Cooper in mid season. He took the lead from Jack Brabham on lap 6 and was never challenged. With Jim Clark suffering gearbox problems and both BRMs retiring, Richie Ginther was the only contender left. However he too had mechanical problems, and dropped back. Brabham rallied at the end to close, but Surtees had lapped the entire field up to second. The first year of 3-litre engines had resulted in wins for five different makes of car, using five different engines.

Classification

Qualifying

PosNoDriverConstructorTimeGap
17 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Surtees Cooper-Maserati 1:53.18
21 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jim Clark Lotus-BRM 1:53.50+0.32
312 Flag of the United States.svg Richie Ginther Honda 1:53.56+0.38
45 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham Brabham-Repco 1:53.95+0.77
58 Flag of Austria.svg Jochen Rindt Cooper-Maserati 1:54.19+1.01
66 Flag of New Zealand.svg Denny Hulme Brabham-Repco 1:54.21+1.03
73 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Graham Hill BRM 1:54.61+1.43
811 Flag of Mexico (1934-1968).svg Pedro Rodríguez Lotus-Climax 1:54.78+1.60
915 Flag of the United States.svg Dan Gurney Eagle-Climax 1:54.93+1.75
104 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jackie Stewart BRM 1:55.90+2.72
1118 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Spence Lotus-BRM 1:55.98+2.80
1219 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Jo Siffert Cooper-Maserati 1:55.99+2.81
1322 Flag of Sweden.svg Jo Bonnier Cooper-Maserati 1:56.49+3.31
1414 Flag of the United States.svg Ronnie Bucknum Honda 1:56.59+3.41
1517 Flag of New Zealand.svg Bruce McLaren McLaren-Ford 1:56.84+3.66
169 Flag of Mexico (1934-1968).svg Moisés Solana Cooper-Maserati 1:57.44+4.26
1710 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Innes Ireland BRM 1:57.46+4.28
182 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Peter Arundell Lotus-BRM 2:00.79+7.61
1916 Flag of the United States.svg Bob Bondurant Eagle-Weslake 2:02.88+9.70
Source: [4] [5]

Race

PosNoDriverConstructorLapsTime/RetiredGridPoints
17 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Surtees Cooper-Maserati 652:06:35.3419
25 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham Brabham-Repco 65+ 7.8846
36 Flag of New Zealand.svg Denny Hulme Brabham-Repco 64+ 1 lap64
412 Flag of the United States.svg Richie Ginther Honda 64+ 1 lap33
515 Flag of the United States.svg Dan Gurney Eagle-Climax 64+ 1 lap92
622 Flag of Sweden.svg Jo Bonnier Cooper-Maserati 63+ 2 laps121
72 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Peter Arundell Lotus-BRM 61+ 4 laps17
814 Flag of the United States.svg Ronnie Bucknum Honda 60+ 5 laps13
Ret11 Flag of Mexico (1934-1968).svg Pedro Rodríguez Lotus-Climax 49Differential8
Ret17 Flag of New Zealand.svg Bruce McLaren McLaren-Ford 40Engine14
Ret19 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Jo Siffert Cooper-Maserati 33Suspension11
Ret8 Flag of Austria.svg Jochen Rindt Cooper-Maserati 32Suspension5
Ret10 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Innes Ireland BRM 28Transmission16
Ret4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jackie Stewart BRM 26Oil Leak10
Ret16 Flag of the United States.svg Bob Bondurant Eagle-Weslake 24Fuel System18
Ret3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Graham Hill BRM 18Engine7
Ret1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jim Clark Lotus-BRM 9Gearbox2
Ret9 Flag of Mexico (1934-1968).svg Moisés Solana Cooper-Maserati 9Overheating15
DNS18 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Spence Lotus-BRM 0Accident
Source: [6]

Championship standings after the race

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Brabham</span> Australian racing driver

Sir John Arthur Brabham was an Australian racing driver who was Formula One World Champion in 1959, 1960, and 1966. He was a founder of the Brabham racing team and race car constructor that bore his name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Surtees</span> British motorcycle and automobile racer (1934–2017)

John Norman Surtees, was a British Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and Formula One driver. On his way to become a seven-time Grand Prix motorcycle World Champion, he won his first title in 1956, and followed with three consecutive doubles between 1958 and 1960, winning six World Championships in both the 500 and 350cc classes. Surtees then made the move to the pinnacle of Motorsport, the Formula 1 World Championship, and in 1964 made motor racing history by becoming the F1 World Champion. To this day Surtees remains the only person to have won World Championships on both two and four wheels. He founded the Surtees Racing Organisation team that competed as a constructor in Formula One, Formula 2 and Formula 5000 from 1970 to 1978. He was also the ambassador of the Racing Steps Foundation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cooper Car Company</span> Auto racing team

The Cooper Car Company is a British car manufacturer founded in December 1947 by Charles Cooper and his son John Cooper. Together with John's boyhood friend, Eric Brandon, they began by building racing cars in Charles's small garage in Surbiton, Surrey, England, in 1946. Through the 1950s and early 1960s they reached motor racing's highest levels as their mid-engined, single-seat cars competed in both Formula One and the Indianapolis 500, and their Mini Cooper dominated rally racing. The Cooper name lives on in the Cooper versions of the Mini production cars that are built in England, but is now owned and marketed by BMW.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1959 Portuguese Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1959 Portuguese Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Monsanto on 23 August 1959. It was race 7 of 9 in the 1959 World Championship of Drivers and race 6 of 8 in the 1959 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. It was the eighth Portuguese Grand Prix and the second to be held for the Formula One World Drivers' Championship. It was the third time the race was held at Monsanto and the first for Formula One. The race was held over 62 laps of the five kilometre circuit for a total race distance of 337 kilometres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1959 Italian Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1959 Italian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Monza on 13 September 1959. It was race 8 of 9 in the 1959 World Championship of Drivers and race 7 of 8 in the 1959 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. It was the 29th Italian Grand Prix and the 24th to be held at Monza. The race was held over 72 laps of the five-kilometre circuit for a total race distance of 414 kilometres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1961 German Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1961 German Grand Prix was the 23rd time the German Grand Prix motor race was held. The race also held the honorary designation of the 21st European Grand Prix. It was run to Formula One regulations as race 6 of 8 in both the 1961 World Championship of Drivers and the 1961 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers It was held on 6 August 1961 over 15 laps of the giant 14.2 mile Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit for a race distance of almost 213 miles. The race also celebrated the 100th race since the establishment of the World Championship in 1950.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1964 Mexican Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1964 Mexican Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at the Ciudad Deportiva Magdalena Mixhuca in Mexico City on October 25, 1964. It was race 10 of 10 in both the 1964 World Championship of Drivers and the 1964 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1966 Belgian Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1966 Belgian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Spa-Francorchamps on 12 June 1966. It was race 2 of 9 in both the 1966 World Championship of Drivers and the 1966 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. The race was the 26th Belgian Grand Prix and was held over 28 laps of the 14.1-kilometre circuit for a race distance of 395 kilometres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1966 French Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1966 French Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Reims on 3 July 1966. It was race 3 of 9 in both the 1966 World Championship of Drivers and the 1966 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. The race was the "60th Anniversary race" of Grand Prix racing, which had started with the GP of France in 1906. It was also the 16th and last time the French Grand Prix was held on variations of French highways near Reims, following a three-year absence from the region. The race was held over 48 laps of the 8.35-kilometre (5.19 mi) circuit for a race distance of 400 kilometres (250 mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1966 British Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1966 British Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Brands Hatch on 16 July 1966. It was race 4 of 9 in both the 1966 World Championship of Drivers and the 1966 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. It was the 21st British Grand Prix and the second to be held at Brands Hatch. It was held over 80 laps of the four kilometre circuit for a race distance of 341 kilometres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1966 Italian Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1966 Italian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Monza on 4 September 1966. It was race 7 of 9 in both the 1966 World Championship of Drivers and the 1966 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. The race was the 36th Italian Grand Prix and the 32nd to be held at Monza. The race was held over 68 laps of the five kilometre circuit for a race distance of 391 kilometres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1966 United States Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1966 United States Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on October 2, 1966, at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Race Course in Watkins Glen, New York. It was race 8 of 9 in both the 1966 World Championship of Drivers and the 1966 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. The race was the ninth United States Grand Prix. It was the sixth to be held at Watkins Glen. The race was held over 108 laps of the 3.78-kilometre circuit for a total race distance of 408 kilometres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1968 Formula One season</span> 22nd season of the FIAs Formula One motor racing

The 1968 Formula One season was the 22nd season of the FIA's Formula One motor racing. It featured the 19th FIA World Championship, which commenced on 1 January, and ended on 3 November after twelve races, and numerous non-championship races. Graham Hill won the second of his World Championship titles, with Lotus.

The 1967 Formula One season was the 21st season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1967 World Championship of Drivers and the 1967 International Cup for F1 Manufacturers, contested concurrently over an eleven race series which commenced on 2 January, and ended on 22 October. The season also included a number of non-championship races for Formula One cars. Denny Hulme won the World Championship of Drivers and Brabham-Repco was awarded the International Cup for F1 Manufacturers.

The 1966 Formula One season was the 20th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1966 World Championship of Drivers and the 1966 International Cup for F1 Manufacturers which were contested concurrently over a nine-race series that commenced on 22 May and ended on 23 October. The season saw the "return to power" with the introduction of the '3 litre formula', doubling maximum engine capacity from 1.5 litres. Jack Brabham won the World Championship of Drivers and Brabham-Repco was awarded the International Cup for F1 Manufacturers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1961 Formula One season</span> 15th season of Formula One motor racing

The 1961 Formula One season was the 15th season of Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1961 World Championship of Drivers and the 1961 International Cup for F1 Manufacturers, which were contested concurrently from 14 May to 8 October over an eight race series. The season also included numerous non-championship races for Formula One cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1960 Formula One season</span> 14th season of the FIAs Formula One motor racing

The 1960 Formula One season was the 14th season of the FIA's Formula One motor racing. It featured the 11th FIA World Championship of Drivers, the third International Cup for F1 Manufacturers and numerous non-championship Formula One races. The World Championship commenced on 7 February and ended on 20 November after ten races.

The 1959 Formula One season was the 13th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1959 World Championship of Drivers and the 1959 International Cup for F1 Manufacturers, contested concurrently over a nine-race series which commenced on 10 May and ended on 12 December. The season also included several non-championship Formula One races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1962 Mexican Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The I Gran Premio de Mexico was held on 4 November 1962 at the Magdalena Mixhuca circuit, Mexico City. The race was a non-championship event run to Formula One rules and attracted a large entry, including many top teams and drivers. The race was run over 60 laps of the main circuit, and was eventually won by Jim Clark and Trevor Taylor, sharing a drive in a Lotus 25. The race meeting was marred by the death during practice of local driving prodigy Ricardo Rodríguez. The circuit would later be renamed the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez to honour him and his brother Pedro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brabham BT19</span> Formula One racing car

The Brabham BT19 is a Formula One racing car designed by Ron Tauranac for the British Brabham team. The BT19 competed in the 1966 and 1967 Formula One World Championships and was used by Australian driver Jack Brabham to win his third World Championship in 1966. The BT19, which Brabham referred to as his "Old Nail", was the first car bearing its driver's name to win a World Championship race.

References

  1. Peter Higham, The Guinness Guide to International Motor Racing, 1995, page 424
  2. Kettlewell, Mike. "Grand Prix Racing South of the Border", in Ward, Ian, executive editor. World of Automobiles (London: Orbis, 1974) Volume 12, p.1332.
  3. Kettlewell, p.1332.
  4. "1966 Mexican GP Qualification". www.chicanef1.com. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  5. "1966 Mexican Grand Prix". Motor Sport Magazine . Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  6. "1966 Mexican Grand Prix". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  7. 1 2 "Mexico 1966 - Championship • STATS F1". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
Previous race:
1966 United States Grand Prix
FIA Formula One World Championship
1966 season
Next race:
1967 South African Grand Prix
Previous race:
1965 Mexican Grand Prix
Mexican Grand Prix Next race:
1967 Mexican Grand Prix