In memoriam Tony Brooks

In 1955, Tony Brooks made a name for himself on the international scene, lining up at the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in an Aston Martin DB3S, before winning the Syracuse Grand Prix, a non-championship event. But the Briton was cruelly lacking in success in the Sarthe : four starts... four withdraws !

All of these participations were made at the wheel of official Aston Martins between 1955 and 1958, with John Riseley-Prichard, Reg Parnell, Noël Cunningham-Reid and Maurice Trintignant. Nicknamed the 'Racing Dentist', in reference to his studies and his father's job, he tried to console himself with successes in the 1957 Nürburgring 1000km and the 1958 Tourist Trophy.

In F1, his record is far from ridiculous : 38 starts between 1956 and 1961, with six victories, ten podiums, three pole positions and three fastest race laps. Although he defended the interests of BRM, Vanwall or Cooper, it was with Ferrari, in 1959, that he obtained his best ranking in the championship: 2nd behind Jack Brabham.

His career was to be short, as he retired in 1959 at the age of 29. Born on 25 February 1932, Tony Brooks died on 3 May 2022 at the age of 90.