Tony Brooks | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Tony_Brooks_1957_Monaco_Grand_Prix.webp) Brooks at the 1957 Monaco Grand Prix | |
| Born | Charles Anthony Standish Brooks 25 February 1932 Dukinfield, Cheshire, England |
| Died | 3 May 2022 (aged 90) |
| Spouse |
Pina Resegotti (m. 1958) |
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives | Norman Brooks (cousin) |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |  British |
| Active years | 1956–1961 |
| Teams | BRM, Vanwall, Ferrari, BRP |
| Entries | 39 (38 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 6 |
| Podiums | 10 |
| Career points | 75 |
| Pole positions | 3 |
| Fastest laps | 3 |
| First entry | 1956 Monaco Grand Prix |
| First win | 1957 British Grand Prix |
| Last win | 1959 German Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1961 United States Grand Prix |
Charles Anthony Standish "Tony" Brooks (25 February 1932 – 3 May 2022) was a British racing driver, who competed in Formula One from 1956 to 1961. Nicknamed "The Racing Dentist",[a] Brooks was runner-up in the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 1959 with Ferrari and Vanwall, and won six Grands Prix across six seasons.
Born and raised in Dukinfield, Brooks was the son of a dental surgeon. He began racing in 1952, driving sportscars at club events until he progressed to Formula Two. Brooks debuted in Formula One machinery at the non-championship 1955 Syracuse Grand Prix with Connaught, scoring the first win by a British driver in a British car in Grand Prix motor racing since 1923. He made his championship debut at the 1956 Monaco Grand Prix with BRM, and joined Vanwall for the 1957 season. Brooks took his maiden win in Formula One at the British Grand Prix, sharing the victory with Stirling Moss. He then finished third in the World Drivers' Championship in 1958 with Vanwall, and runner-up to Jack Brabham the following season after his move to Ferrari, taking multiple victories across both seasons. Brooks joined BRP in 1960—driving a privateer Cooper T51—but was unable to finish on the podium. He took his final podium finish at the 1961 United States Grand Prix with BRM. Brooks retired at the conclusion of the 1961 season, having achieved six wins, three pole positions, three fastest laps and 10 podiums in Formula One, as well as his one non-championship race win.
Outside of Formula One, Brooks was successful in sportscar racing, winning the 1957 1000km of Nürburgring and the 1958 RAC Tourist Trophy, driving the Aston Martin DBR1. He also entered four editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1955 to 1958 with Aston Martin.
- ^ "The Automobile Club de l'Ouest pays tribute to Tony Brooks". 24 Hours of Le Mans. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
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