1964 Formula 1 Season

Carel Godin de Beaufort Died in German Grand Prix Crash

Dec 31, 2008 Kevin Guthrie

Carel Godin de Beaufort was one of F1's most likeable characters, and he was deeply missed following his fatal accident in a Porsche at the Nurburgring.

1964 was a fascinating year in Formula 1. Lotus, Ferrari, BRM and Brabham all had competitive cars, resulting in some great racing and an exciting battle for the World Championship. Lotus driver Jim Clark was the defending title holder.

Gurney Scores Brabham’s First Grand Prix Victory

The French Grand Prix was held at Rouen in 1964 and Clark led early on after starting from pole. It was not a productive afternoon for the Scotsman, as he was forced out of the race when his engine failed. Dan Gurney was left in the lead and duly went on to record the first win for a Brabham in a World Championship Formula 1 race. Although team owner Jack Brabham lost second place to Graham Hill it wasn’t too much of a disappointment. Peter Arundell was fourth in his Lotus, followed by Richie Ginther and Bruce McLaren.

Clark Dominates Brands Hatch Formula 1 Race

Clark was uncatchable around the undulations of the Brands Hatch circuit, venue for the British Grand Prix. He won easily from Graham Hill and Gurney. Brabham finished fourth, John Surtees fifth and McLaren sixth. The most curious car at the meeting was the four-wheel drive BRM P67, although it did not race.

Carel Godin de Beaufort Killed at the Nurburgring

The German Grand Prix weekend was marred by an accident which left the popular Dutch racer Carel Godin de Beaufort fatally injured. He was an aristocrat with a passion for racing, and was synonymous with his Porsche Formula 1 car, painted patriotically in orange.

The Honda Formula 1 car finally made an appearance at the Nurburgring, driven by American rookie Ronnie Bucknum. Both man and machine showed promise before retiring from the Grand Prix. The race was won by Surtees, with Graham Hill second and Lorenzo Bandini third. In fourth place was a promising Swiss driver, Jo Siffert. Maurice Trintignant finished in fifth, ahead of a similar BRM driven by Tony Maggs. Clark retired with yet another engine failure.

Bandini Wins Maiden Grand Prix at Zeltweg

The Zeltweg airfield circuit was not particularly suited to Formula 1, and it showed in the form of multiple suspension failures caused by the uneven track surface. In a race of attrition it was Bandini who crossed the line first, scoring what would be the sole World Championship victory of his career. Ginther finished second, while Bob Anderson made his only visit to a Formula 1 podium in third. Maggs was fourth, Innes Ireland fifth and Jo Bonnier sixth.

Formula 1 season review continues.

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1964 Honda RA271 Formula 1 car