© P-H Cahier / F1-photo.com
The 1959 F1 season started with the surprise withdrawal of the Vanwall team over the winter, just as it was reaching peak competitiveness. Nevertheless the British honour was upheld by BRM, Cooper and Lotus.
After the tragedies of 1958 Ferrari underwent big changes. Brooks joined from Vanwall and was joined by Behra from BRM. Phil Hill, who was an occasional Ferrari driver in 1958 but was awarded a full time drive for 1959. Sterling Moss meanwhile would split his time between Walker’s Cooper-Climax and BRM.
Climax had historically run smaller engines than some others but in 1959 the ran a full 2.5 litre unit. While the engine still gave away a little power, the chassis was excellent and boasted superior handling. With Argentina being cancelled the season opener was at Monaco where Behra led in the Ferrari until retiring, Moss’s Cooper then expired and Brabham swept by to take his first victory.
On to Zandvoort, and Jo Bonnier caused a major upset by taking BRM’s first victory after nine long years. Bonnier was pressured throughout by the Coopers and was aided to victory when Moss retired. Ferrari then made a comeback with Brooks winning at Reims with Hill second. Three different marques won the three opening races but Cooper was back in the lead at Aintree as Brabham scored a second win ahead of Moss. Moss had held off a young Bruce McLaren in a works Cooper who was making a good name for himself. Ferrari didn’t race owing to Italian industrial action.
© P-H Cahier / F1-photo.com
The German Grand Prix was held for the first and only time at Avus which featured daunting banks that were popular in early F1. The result was an aggregate of two 30 lap sprints. Brooks dominated the event but celebrations were muted when tragedy struck. Sadly veteran Behra, a popular driver since the championships inception, passed away following a sports car crash while competing in a support race.
Moss didn’t win until the circus arrived at the Portuguese Grand Prix. Brabham crashed out but maintained his lead in the championship as the teams moved on to the penultimate race at Monza in Italy. Moss took another victory from Hill with Brabham finishing third to keep his championship hopes alive.
Three months went by before the final race of the season took place in America at the Sebring Airfield track. Moss was in contention for the crown and duly took pole position but suffered a gearbox failure in the race. Brabham ran out of fuel and had to push his car home to finish fourth place, but even if he hadn’t, he would still be the 1959 World Champion. The surprise winner of the race was Bruce McLaren who at 22 was the youngest Grand Prix winner. Second place was taken by Maurice Trntignant in the Cooper ahead of Brooks.
The season finished Jack Brabham, Tony Brooks and Stirling Moss with Cooper winning the constructors from Ferrari.
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