1959 Italian Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1959): Difference between revisions
(Ferrari's modern race strategies have come under fire recently. But back in the 1950s... they were honestly not much better! Stirling Moss wins after out-smarting the Ferraris in terms of tyre conservation, with Cooper also securing the Constructors' Championship. Also, unless I am very much mistaken, this will be the last article surrounding a 1950s Formula One television broadcast! Onwards now to the 1960s, which will probably make the bulk of the F1 articles on this Wiki.) |
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
The ''1959 Italian Grand Prix'' was the ninth running of the event as part of the Formula One calendar, with the race lasting 72 laps.<ref name="results">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1959_Grand_Prix_of_Italy/F/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the qualifying and race results of the event.] Retrieved | The ''1959 Italian Grand Prix'' was the ninth running of the event as part of the Formula One calendar, with the race lasting 72 laps.<ref name="results">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1959_Grand_Prix_of_Italy/F/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the qualifying and race results of the event.] Retrieved 12 Sep '22</ref> The 29th edition in Grand Prix history,<ref>[https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/winners/&race=italian_grand_prix ''Ultimate Car Page'' listing all instances of the Italian Grand Prix.] Retrieved 12 Sep '22</ref> the Italian Grand Prix has been held at Monza for all bar one instance in 1980 since Formula One's inception in 1950,<ref>[https://f1experiences.com/fr/blog/italian-grand-prix-fast-facts ''F1 Experiences'' detailing facts regarding the Italian Grand Prix.] Retrieved 12 Sep '22</ref> and has garnered a reputation for being the "home" Grand Prix of Ferrari.<ref>[https://sfcriga.com/monza-grand-prix-the-ferrari-home ''Scuderia Ferrari Club'' detailing how Monza is considered the home of Ferrari.] Retrieved 12 Sep '22</ref> | ||
Heading into the race, Cooper-Climax's Jack Brabham was leading the Drivers' Championship on 27 points, four ahead of Ferrari's Tony Brooks, with Rob Walker Cooper driver Stirling Moss 9.5 points behind and seemingly out of title contention.<ref name="pre">[https://www.statsf1.com/en/1959/portugal/championnat.aspx ''Stats F1'' detailing the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship standings heading into the race.] Retrieved | Heading into the race, Cooper-Climax's Jack Brabham was leading the Drivers' Championship on 27 points, four ahead of Ferrari's Tony Brooks, with Rob Walker Cooper driver Stirling Moss 9.5 points behind and seemingly out of title contention.<ref name="pre">[https://www.statsf1.com/en/1959/portugal/championnat.aspx ''Stats F1'' detailing the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship standings heading into the race.] Retrieved 12 Sep '22</ref><ref name="espn">[http://en.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/story/16184.html ''ESPN'' summarising the race.] Retrieved 12 Sep '22</ref> Cooper was also beating Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship with 34 points compared to 28.<ref name="pre"/> In qualifying, after numerous drivers averaged around the 1:42-1:43 mark, Moss achieved the pole position by breaking Monza's lap record, with a time of 1:39.7.<ref name="magazine">[https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/october-1959/15/the-xxxth-italian-grand-prix ''Motor Sport'' providing a detailed race report.] Retrieved 12 Sep '22</ref><ref name="grand">[https://www.grandprix.com/races/italian-gp-1959.html ''Grand Prix'' summarising the event.] Retrieved 12 Sep '22</ref><ref name="espn"/><ref name="results"/> Brooks lined up second, with Brabham lining up third out of 21 competitors.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="espn"/><ref name="grand"/><ref name="results"/> While the Coopers were again proving competitive, there was concern over the extent of tyre wear the cars were producing during qualifying.<ref name="magazine"/> To counteract this, Moss' Walker-owned Cooper was equipped with splined hubs for the rear and knock-off wire wheels.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="espn"/> | ||
==The Race== | ==The Race== | ||
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According to ''Motor Sport'', Moss was satisfied in letting Hill control the pace, so that he held the tyre advantage later in the event.<ref name="magazine"/> Ferrari was hoping Moss would pit again, but this was in vain, Moss had successfully looked after his tyres and was further boosted by the splined hubs equipped to his car's wheels.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="espn"/><ref name="grand"/> As ''The Times'' noted "One by one the laps were reeled off and the Ferrari team looked desperately at the Walker and Cooper pits to see if any preparations were being made to call in their men to change wheels. Cooper obliged by putting out some wheels but Brabham carried on while the Walker team made no sign."<ref name="espn"/> Brabham moved past Gurney for third, while Moss continually extended his gap to Hill, Ferrari ultimately ruing their decision not to leave a driver out with old tyres to pressurise the Cooper.<ref name="espn"/><ref name="magazine"/><ref name="grand"/><ref name="results"/> | According to ''Motor Sport'', Moss was satisfied in letting Hill control the pace, so that he held the tyre advantage later in the event.<ref name="magazine"/> Ferrari was hoping Moss would pit again, but this was in vain, Moss had successfully looked after his tyres and was further boosted by the splined hubs equipped to his car's wheels.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="espn"/><ref name="grand"/> As ''The Times'' noted "One by one the laps were reeled off and the Ferrari team looked desperately at the Walker and Cooper pits to see if any preparations were being made to call in their men to change wheels. Cooper obliged by putting out some wheels but Brabham carried on while the Walker team made no sign."<ref name="espn"/> Brabham moved past Gurney for third, while Moss continually extended his gap to Hill, Ferrari ultimately ruing their decision not to leave a driver out with old tyres to pressurise the Cooper.<ref name="espn"/><ref name="magazine"/><ref name="grand"/><ref name="results"/> | ||
Moss therefore claimed victory and eight points in the Drivers' Championship.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="espn"/><ref name="grand"/><ref name="results"/> Hill was 46.7 seconds behind in second, but did gain another point for posting the fastest lap, with Brabham securing third.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="espn"/><ref name="grand"/><ref name="results"/> In the Drivers' Championship, Brabham still led on 31 points, but Moss was now only 5.5 points behind with one race to go.<ref name="post">[https://www.statsf1.com/en/1959/italie/championnat.aspx ''Stats F1'' detailing the Drivers' and Constructors' points standings following the race.] Retrieved | Moss therefore claimed victory and eight points in the Drivers' Championship.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="espn"/><ref name="grand"/><ref name="results"/> Hill was 46.7 seconds behind in second, but did gain another point for posting the fastest lap, with Brabham securing third.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="espn"/><ref name="grand"/><ref name="results"/> In the Drivers' Championship, Brabham still led on 31 points, but Moss was now only 5.5 points behind with one race to go.<ref name="post">[https://www.statsf1.com/en/1959/italie/championnat.aspx ''Stats F1'' detailing the Drivers' and Constructors' points standings following the race.] Retrieved 12 Sep '22</ref><ref name="espn"/> Thus, the title race was now a three-way duel, with Brooks still in contention despite his retirement.<ref name="espn"/><ref name="post"/> Gurney and fellow Ferrari driver Cliff Allison claimed the final points positions of fourth and fifth respectively.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="grand"/><ref name="results"/> In the Constructors' Championship, Cooper now had 38 points compared to 32 points.<ref name="post"/> Considering that only the five best results counted towards either Championship, it meant Cooper had secured its first ever Constructors' title.<ref>[https://gpracingstats.com/seasons/1959-world-championship/1959-italian-grand-prix/ ''GP Racing Stats'' noting Cooper won the Constructors' Championship following the race's conclusion.] Retrieved 12 Sep '22</ref> | ||
==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
The race reportedly received partial live coverage from several European television broadcasters, including Italy's RAI.<ref name="broadcasts">[https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?cid=8D94CC199E340254&resid=8D94CC199E340254!149 List of Formula One television broadcasts noting the various partially live broadcasts and that the BBC televise highlights of the race.] Retrieved | The race reportedly received partial live coverage from several European television broadcasters, including Italy's RAI.<ref name="broadcasts">[https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?cid=8D94CC199E340254&resid=8D94CC199E340254!149 List of Formula One television broadcasts noting the various partially live broadcasts and that the BBC televise highlights of the race.] Retrieved 12 Sep '22</ref> Additionally, Issue 1,870 of ''Radio Times'' notes that the BBC provided 35 minutes of highlights on 13th September 1959 via harnessing RAI's coverage, with Raymond Baxter being the commentator.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_bbc_television_service/1959-09-13#at-16.40 BBC Genome archive of ''Radio Times'' issues detailing the BBC broadcast of the race.] Retrieved 12 Sep '22</ref><ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/8cb3172702b04e1db7fe1cdbaa1805c2?page=10 Issue 1,870 of ''Radio Times'' listing the coverage provided by the BBC.] Retrieved 12 Sep '22</ref><ref name="broadcasts"/> None of these television broadcasts have publicly resurfaced, though some colour footage of the race can be viewed from a British documentary. | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
=== | ===Videos=== | ||
{{Video|perrow =1 | {{Video|perrow =1 | ||
|service1 =youtube | |service1 =youtube | ||
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|description1 =Colour footage of the race from a British documentary. | |description1 =Colour footage of the race from a British documentary. | ||
}} | }} | ||
===Images=== | ===Images=== | ||
<gallery mode=packed heights=250px> | <gallery mode=packed heights=250px> | ||
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1959italiangrandprix9.jpg|Issue 1,870 of ''Radio Times'' promoting the BBC coverage. | 1959italiangrandprix9.jpg|Issue 1,870 of ''Radio Times'' promoting the BBC coverage. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
*[[1953 British Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1953)]] | *[[1953 British Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1953)]] | ||
Revision as of 00:06, 14 September 2022
Stirling Moss during the race.
Status: Partially Found
The 1959 Italian Grand Prix was the eighth race of the 1959 Formula One Season. Occurring on 13th September at the Monza Circuit, the race would ultimately be won by Stirling Moss in a Cooper-Climax, primarily due to his superior tyre conservation compared to the Ferrari drivers. Cooper would also secure the Constructors' Championship at the event.
Background
The 1959 Italian Grand Prix was the ninth running of the event as part of the Formula One calendar, with the race lasting 72 laps.[1] The 29th edition in Grand Prix history,[2] the Italian Grand Prix has been held at Monza for all bar one instance in 1980 since Formula One's inception in 1950,[3] and has garnered a reputation for being the "home" Grand Prix of Ferrari.[4]
Heading into the race, Cooper-Climax's Jack Brabham was leading the Drivers' Championship on 27 points, four ahead of Ferrari's Tony Brooks, with Rob Walker Cooper driver Stirling Moss 9.5 points behind and seemingly out of title contention.[5][6] Cooper was also beating Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship with 34 points compared to 28.[5] In qualifying, after numerous drivers averaged around the 1:42-1:43 mark, Moss achieved the pole position by breaking Monza's lap record, with a time of 1:39.7.[7][8][6][1] Brooks lined up second, with Brabham lining up third out of 21 competitors.[7][6][8][1] While the Coopers were again proving competitive, there was concern over the extent of tyre wear the cars were producing during qualifying.[7] To counteract this, Moss' Walker-owned Cooper was equipped with splined hubs for the rear and knock-off wire wheels.[7][6]
The Race
With the starting order decided, the 1959 Italian Grand Prix commenced on 13th September.[1] Moss was in first from the opening lap, despite Brabham initially leading, while Brooks' campaign ended swiftly as his clutch and an engine piston immediately failed.[6][7][8][1] Hill made a strong start, climbing to second on lap 1, before overtaking Moss for the lead a lap later.[7][6][8][1] The battle for the lead became a four-horse race between Hill, Moss, Ferrari's Dan Gurney, and Brabham.[7][6][8][1] While Moss was focused on conversing his tyres early on, he still overtook Hill on lap 4, only to drop it back a lap later.[7][6][1] This process was also repeated between laps 15-16.[1] Brabham dropped back to maintain his tyres, and the race settled from laps 10-30 with Hill leading Moss and Gurney.[7][8][1] Ferrari were aiming to outpace Moss, but the Brit held strong.[7][6] Ferrari's gameplan backfired, with the team forced to call in Hill and Gurney on laps 33 and 34 respectively for tyre changes, as their cars were wearing out their tyres more so than the Cooper.[7][6][8] Moss pitted on lap 36, and was well-ahead of the Ferraris post-stop.[7][6][8][1]
According to Motor Sport, Moss was satisfied in letting Hill control the pace, so that he held the tyre advantage later in the event.[7] Ferrari was hoping Moss would pit again, but this was in vain, Moss had successfully looked after his tyres and was further boosted by the splined hubs equipped to his car's wheels.[7][6][8] As The Times noted "One by one the laps were reeled off and the Ferrari team looked desperately at the Walker and Cooper pits to see if any preparations were being made to call in their men to change wheels. Cooper obliged by putting out some wheels but Brabham carried on while the Walker team made no sign."[6] Brabham moved past Gurney for third, while Moss continually extended his gap to Hill, Ferrari ultimately ruing their decision not to leave a driver out with old tyres to pressurise the Cooper.[6][7][8][1]
Moss therefore claimed victory and eight points in the Drivers' Championship.[7][6][8][1] Hill was 46.7 seconds behind in second, but did gain another point for posting the fastest lap, with Brabham securing third.[7][6][8][1] In the Drivers' Championship, Brabham still led on 31 points, but Moss was now only 5.5 points behind with one race to go.[9][6] Thus, the title race was now a three-way duel, with Brooks still in contention despite his retirement.[6][9] Gurney and fellow Ferrari driver Cliff Allison claimed the final points positions of fourth and fifth respectively.[7][8][1] In the Constructors' Championship, Cooper now had 38 points compared to 32 points.[9] Considering that only the five best results counted towards either Championship, it meant Cooper had secured its first ever Constructors' title.[10]
Availability
The race reportedly received partial live coverage from several European television broadcasters, including Italy's RAI.[11] Additionally, Issue 1,870 of Radio Times notes that the BBC provided 35 minutes of highlights on 13th September 1959 via harnessing RAI's coverage, with Raymond Baxter being the commentator.[12][13][11] None of these television broadcasts have publicly resurfaced, though some colour footage of the race can be viewed from a British documentary.
Gallery
Videos
Images
Programme for the race.
Brooks and Moss lining up at the start
Brabham leading at the start.
Hill ahead of Moss and Gurney.
Moss on course for the victory.
Moss celebrating his win.
Issue 1,870 of Radio Times detailing the BBC coverage.
Issue 1,870 of Radio Times promoting the BBC coverage.
See Also
- 1953 British Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1953)
- 1953 Italian Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1953)
- 1954 British Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1954)
- 1954 Italian Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1954)
- 1955 Dutch Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1955)
- 1955 Italian Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1955)
- 1955 Monaco Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1955)
- 1956 Belgian Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1956)
- 1956 British Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1956)
- 1956 French Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1956)
- 1956 Italian Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1956)
- 1956 Monaco Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1956)
- 1957 British Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1957)
- 1957 Monaco Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1957)
- 1958 British Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1958)
- 1958 Italian Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1958)
- 1958 Monaco Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1958)
- 1959 British Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1959)
- 1959 Monaco Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1959)
- 1959 Portuguese Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1959)
- 2005 San Marino Grand Prix (partially found ITV advert break during final laps of Formula One race; 2005)
- Advanced Driving with Graham Hill (lost ITV motoring series; 1974)
- Donkey Does F1 (partially found photos of Shrek character inflatable at Formula One races; 2004)
- F-1 World Grand Prix III (lost build of cancelled Nintendo 64 Formula One racing game; 2000-2001)
- F1 2000 (lost pre-release builds of Formula One game; 2000)
- F1 2010 (lost pre-alpha build of Formula One game; 2010)
- F1 Racing Championship 2 (lost build of cancelled PC/PlayStation 2 Formula One game; 2001)
- Fernando Alonso's 2015 testing accident (lost footage of Formula One test session crash; 2015)
- Grand Prix 3 (lost build of cancelled Dreamcast port of PC Formula One racing game; 2001)
- Grand Prix 4 (lost build of cancelled Xbox port of PC Formula One racing game sequel; 2002)
- McLaren MP4-18 (lost footage of unraced Formula One car; 2003)
- Racing Arrows (partially found Formula One TV series; 2001)
- Robert Kubica's 2010 Japanese Grand Prix Q3 lap (lost audio of Formula One qualifying lap; 2010)
- Williams FW15C (partially found footage and lap time information of unraced CVT Formula One car; 1993)
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the event. Retrieved 12 Sep '22
- ↑ Ultimate Car Page listing all instances of the Italian Grand Prix. Retrieved 12 Sep '22
- ↑ F1 Experiences detailing facts regarding the Italian Grand Prix. Retrieved 12 Sep '22
- ↑ Scuderia Ferrari Club detailing how Monza is considered the home of Ferrari. Retrieved 12 Sep '22
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Stats F1 detailing the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship standings heading into the race. Retrieved 12 Sep '22
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 ESPN summarising the race. Retrieved 12 Sep '22
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 Motor Sport providing a detailed race report. Retrieved 12 Sep '22
- ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 Grand Prix summarising the event. Retrieved 12 Sep '22
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Stats F1 detailing the Drivers' and Constructors' points standings following the race. Retrieved 12 Sep '22
- ↑ GP Racing Stats noting Cooper won the Constructors' Championship following the race's conclusion. Retrieved 12 Sep '22
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 List of Formula One television broadcasts noting the various partially live broadcasts and that the BBC televise highlights of the race. Retrieved 12 Sep '22
- ↑ BBC Genome archive of Radio Times issues detailing the BBC broadcast of the race. Retrieved 12 Sep '22
- ↑ Issue 1,870 of Radio Times listing the coverage provided by the BBC. Retrieved 12 Sep '22