F1 | Tony Brooks, grand prix winner and Ferrari driver in the 1950s, passes away aged 90
Brooks was highly regarded by his fellow competitors and rivals, and won six grand prix's during his time in the sport. He passed away on May 3, at the age of 90.
Charles Anthony Standish Brooks, or more known as Tony Brooks, was born in Dukinfield, in the County of Chesire, in England, on February 25th, 1932. He was known as a 'dentist driver' due to his dentistry studies and work before becoming a professional racing driver.
After Stirling Moss passed away in 2020, Brooks was the last Formula One race winner from the 1950s still alive – he won six races from a sample of only 38 entered, which is an impressive rrecord.
Brooks made his debut with BRM in 1956, then went to Vanwall for the 1957 and 1958 seasons, before joining Ferrari in 1959 – and getting a runner's up spot on the driver’s championship – only four points behind champion Jack Brabham.
He retired from the sport in 1961 after getting a podium for BRM at the US GP of that year, in the legendary Watkins Glen circuit.
We pay homage to Tony Brooks, a fantastic driver who contributed to our legacy.
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) May 4, 2022
Our thoughts are with his beloved ones ❤️#essereFerrari🔴 #F1 pic.twitter.com/ynCyE0XlFd
He was known for his risk-averse mentality that differed him from most other drivers in that era, as he never took unnecessary risks on sub-par machinery, knowing that his life could be at stake, and that a push for a good result wasn’t more worthy than a healthy life alongside his, at the time, growing family.
Stirling Moss once said that if he were to create his dream F1 squad, with any two drivers, he would pick Tony Brooks to be alongside Jim Clark, for his ideal line up.
Current Formula 1 CEO, Stefano Domenicalli, has shared his thoughts on this sad moment for the sport and for his family, and paid respect to Brooks rich contributions to F1:
“I was saddened to hear the news that Tony Brooks has died. He was part of a special group of drivers who were pioneers and pushed the boundaries at a time of great risk. He will be missed and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
