HistoryData
general1966

1966 German Grand Prix — Formula One motor race held in 1966

August 7, 1966

Jack Brabham secured his fourth consecutive Formula One victory at the 1966 German Grand Prix, while driver John Taylor died following a collision.

Quick Facts

Year
1966
Category
general

Key Facts

Race distance
342 km over 15 laps
Circuit lap length
22 km (Nordschleife)
Winning margin
43 seconds
Brabham championship points
39 points (double nearest rival)
Race number in championship
Race 6 of 9
German Grand Prix edition
28th overall, 22nd at Nordschleife

By the Numbers

342
Race distance
22
Circuit lap length
43
Winning margin
39
Brabham championship points

Location

Map of Nürburg, West GermanyMap of Nürburg, West GermanyNürburg, West Germany

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

The 1966 Formula One season featured a mixed-format German Grand Prix incorporating both Formula One and Formula Two cars at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Jack Brabham had already won three consecutive races and arrived leading the championship with a dominant points advantage over Graham Hill's BRM.

Event

On 7 August 1966, the race ran over 15 laps of the 22-kilometre Nordschleife circuit. Jack Brabham, driving his Brabham BT19, won by 43 seconds from John Surtees in a Cooper T81, with Jochen Rindt third. Jean-Pierre Beltoise in a Matra MS5 was the leading Formula Two finisher. British driver John Taylor died after a collision involving Jacky Ickx.

Consequence

Brabham's fourth successive win extended his championship lead to 39 points, more than double that of nearest rival Graham Hill, placing him on course for his third World Championship title. The race also highlighted ongoing safety concerns at the Nürburgring following Taylor's fatal accident.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 196619661963196419651967196819691966 battle in the Vietnam WarCivil unrest in 1966/7 in West Hollywood, California, USA1966 Asian Games — fifth edition of the Asian GamesJapanese civil conflict over the construction of Narita Airport (1966-present)1966 European Athletics Championships — 1966 edition of the European Athletics ChampionshipsWorld Chess Championship 1966 — Game1966–67 European Cup — 12th season of the UEFA club football tournament1966 Formula One season — sports season1966-german-grand-prix-formula-one-motor-race-held-in-1966-1966