1959 German Grand Prix

The simplistic track consisted of a very fast straight down either side of a dual carriageway, punctuated at one end by a hairpin and at the other by a steep banking.

Also uniquely in Formula One World Championship history, the race was divided into two heats. In the first, Tony Brooks and Dan Gurney took the lead. Masten Gregory in the Cooper-Climax battled hard with them, passing first one Ferrari then the other as the lead changed hands until a big end bolt broke. It was a Ferrari 1-2-3 with Phil Hill taking the final podium place. In the second heat, once again the Ferraris had a duel at the front, this time with Bruce McLaren until he suffered transfer gear problems. On aggregate placings, it was an all-Ferrari podium in the order Brooks, Gurney, Hill. Maurice Trintignant was fourth from Jo Bonnier and Ian Burgess. This was the fastest Formula One race recorded at this time, with an average speed of 143.3 miles per hour. Hans Herrmann crashed his BRM P25 five laps into the second heat. In the approach to the southern turn he struck hay bales and rolled his car, but was thrown clear and sent sliding down the track. While the car was destroyed, Herrmann escaped unscathed.{{cite news |title=German Grand Prix Crash |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-hans-hermann/156699887/ |access-date=7 October 2024 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=4 August 1959 |page=6|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} Because of this incredible luck Herrmann got his nickname 'Hans im Glück'.

Former Ferrari driver Frenchman Jean Behra was due to race his Behra-Porsche Special in the Grand Prix but Behra was killed the day before racing a Porsche RSK in the Formula 2 support race at the same venue.{{cite news |title=Driver Dies in Practice |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-terre-haute-tribune-jean-behra-augu/156700621/ |access-date=7 October 2024 |work=The Tribune-Star |date=2 August 1959 |location=Terre Haute, Indiana |page=43|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}

The results show evidence of the inconsistency with which rules were applied in this era. According to Formula One rules of the day, those drivers who retired before the end of the Grand Prix should only be classified if they pushed the car over the line after the finish. This rule was not applied to Harry Schell, who retired some 11 laps before the end. However, the rule was applied in other races, such as the 1960 Belgian Grand Prix. The rules were later clarified in 1966.Hayhoe, David & Holland, David (2006). Grand Prix Data Book (4th edition). Haynes, Sparkford, UK. {{ISBN|1-84425-223-X}}

Brooks' win allowed him to close to within four points of championship leader, Australian Cooper racer Jack Brabham.

:{{Note|1|1}} — Cliff Allison and Ian Burgess were listed as reserve drivers for the race. They were only allowed to start the race after Porsche withdrew following Jean Behra's fatal accident. They started from the back of the grid.

;Notes

• {{Note|1|1}} – Includes 1 point for fastest lap

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;Drivers' Championship standings

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;Constructors' Championship standings

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• Notes: Only the top five positions are included for both sets of standings.

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{{F1 race report

| Name_of_race = German Grand Prix

| Year_of_race = 1959

| Previous_race_in_season = 1959 British Grand Prix

| Next_race_in_season = 1959 Portuguese Grand Prix

| Previous_year's_race = 1958 German Grand Prix

| Next_year's_race = 1960 German Grand Prix

}}

{{F1GP 50-59}}

German Grand Prix

Category:German Grand Prix

German Grand Prix