1966 Formula One season
The 1966 Formula One season was the 20th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1966 World Championship of Drivers and the 1966 International Cup for F1 Manufacturers which were contested concurrently over a nine-race series that commenced on 22 May and ended on 23 October. The season also included a number of non-championship races for Formula One cars.
Jack Brabham won the World Championship of Drivers and Brabham-Repco was awarded the International Cup for F1 Manufacturers.
Championship summary
The season was the first of the '3 litre formula', which saw maximum engine capacity doubled from the previous season. British constructors were forced to look elsewhere after Climax's withdrawal from racing. Ferrari appeared to be as well prepared as in, but John Surtees, after winning the Belgian Grand Prix, left the team after a dispute at Le Mans to join Cooper. Under new regulations, cars completing less than 90% of the race distance were not classified and did not receive points, even if they finished in the top six. Also, the maximum race distance was reduced from 500 km to 400 km.Jack Brabham took his third and final Drivers' Championship, this time in a car of his own manufacture with an Australian engineered Repco V8 engine. In winning the championship in his own car, Australian Brabham became the first and the only driver to ever win the World Championship in a car carrying his own name. It is also the first time in the history of the World Championship dating back to that a non European or British car had won the championship. Although both Jack Brabham and his teammate, New Zealander Denny Hulme both retired from the season opening Monaco Grand Prix, Brabham with their Oldsmobile based Repco engine caught the rest of the teams on the hop with its speed and reliability. "Black Jack" finished fourth in Belgium, before winning his first race since the 1960 Portuguese Grand Prix by winning the French Grand Prix at Reims. He then won the next three Grands Prix in Britain, Holland and Germany to make it four wins in succession and virtually secure his third championship win. With Hulme finishing fourth in the Drivers' Championship on 18 points with a second in Britain and thirds in France, Italy and Mexico, Brabham won the International Cup for F1 Manufacturers with 42 points, 11 in front of second placed Ferrari.
Bruce McLaren and Dan Gurney emulated Brabham by building their own cars, though with little initial success. BRM and Lotus used 2 litre engines for much of the season. BRM's new H16 engine was largely unsuccessful, though Jim Clark used one in his Lotus 43 to win at Watkins Glen. World Champion John Surtees was the only driver other than Jack Brabham who won more than one race in the season. He won the second round at Spa-Francorchamps for Ferrari, before later winning the final round in Mexico City driving a Cooper-Maserati V12. Ferrari's Italian driver Ludovico Scarfiotti gave the Tifosi something to cheer about when he drove his Ferrari 312 to victory in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Ferrari had a double celebration at Monza as Scarfiotti's teammate Mike Parkes finished 5.8 seconds behind in second place, just holding out third placed Denny Hulme by 0.3 seconds.
In an era of Grand Prix racing where driver safety was only just starting to be a concern, Briton John Taylor died of his injuries after a crash with Jacky Ickx during the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring.
During the Belgian Grand Prix at the 14.120 km, wet Spa-Francorchamps circuit, future triple World Champion Jackie Stewart crashed his BRM at the high speed Masta Kink. Stewart lay trapped under his car in a pool of leaking fuel for 25 minutes as both Graham Hill and Bob Bondurant borrowed a spectator's toolkit to free the Scotsman. Following his crash Stewart became a strong advocate of improving driver safety in not only Grand Prix but motor racing in general with things like vastly improved on-track medical facilities, of which there were virtually none at Spa at the time of his crash.
Jack Brabham's third Drivers' Championship saw him move into a clear second place behind legendary five-time champion Juan Manuel Fangio on the list of Drivers' Champions. The next three-time winner would be Jackie Stewart, who won championships in, and.
Championship schedule
Championship teams and drivers
The following teams and drivers competed in the 1966 FIA World Championship.| Entrant | Constructor | Chassis | Engine | Tyre | Driver | Rounds |
 Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | McLaren-Ford | M2B | Ford 406 3.0 V8 |  Bruce McLaren | 1, 8–9 | |
| Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | McLaren-Serenissima | M2B | Serenissima M166 3.0 V8 | Bruce McLaren | 2, 4–5 | |
| Team Lotus | Lotus-Climax | 33 | Climax FWMV 2.0 V8 | Jim Clark | 1–6 | |
| Team Lotus | Lotus-Climax | 33 | Climax FWMV 2.0 V8 |  Geki | 7 | |
| Team Lotus | Lotus-Climax | 33 | Climax FWMV 2.0 V8 | Peter Arundell | 8 | |
| Team Lotus | Lotus-Climax | 33 | Climax FWMV 2.0 V8 |  Pedro Rodríguez | 3, 9 | |
| Team Lotus | Lotus-BRM | 43 33 | BRM P75 3.0 H16 BRM P60 2.0 V8 | Pedro Rodríguez | 8 | |
| Team Lotus | Lotus-BRM | 43 33 | BRM P75 3.0 H16 BRM P60 2.0 V8 | Peter Arundell | 2–7, 9 | |
| Team Lotus | Lotus-BRM | 43 33 | BRM P75 3.0 H16 BRM P60 2.0 V8 | Jim Clark | 7–9 | |
| Team Lotus | Lotus-Ford | 44 | Ford Cosworth SCA 1.0 L4 |  Gerhard Mitter | 6 | |
| Team Lotus | Lotus-Ford | 44 | Ford Cosworth SCA 1.0 L4 | Pedro Rodríguez | 6 | |
| Team Lotus | Lotus-Ford | 44 | Ford Cosworth SCA 1.0 L4 | Piers Courage | 6 | |
| Reg Parnell Racing | Lotus-BRM | 33 | BRM P60 2.0 V8 | Mike Spence | All | |
| Reg Parnell Racing | Ferrari | 246 | Ferrari 228 2.4 V6 | Giancarlo Baghetti | 7 | |
| Brabham Racing Organisation | Brabham-Repco | BT19 BT20 | Repco 620 3.0 V8 |  Jack Brabham | All | |
| Brabham Racing Organisation | Brabham-Repco | BT19 BT20 | Repco 620 3.0 V8 | Denny Hulme | 3–9 | |
| Brabham Racing Organisation | Brabham-Climax | BT22 | Climax FPF 2.8 L4 | Denny Hulme | 1–2 | |
| Brabham Racing Organisation | Brabham-Climax | BT22 | Climax FPF 2.8 L4 | Chris Irwin | 4 | |
| Cooper Car Company | Cooper-Maserati | T81 | Maserati 9/F1 3.0 V12 |  Richie Ginther | 1–2 | |
| Cooper Car Company | Cooper-Maserati | T81 | Maserati 9/F1 3.0 V12 |  Jochen Rindt | All | |
| Cooper Car Company | Cooper-Maserati | T81 | Maserati 9/F1 3.0 V12 | Chris Amon | 3 | |
| Cooper Car Company | Cooper-Maserati | T81 | Maserati 9/F1 3.0 V12 | John Surtees | 3–9 | |
| Cooper Car Company | Cooper-Maserati | T81 | Maserati 9/F1 3.0 V12 | Moisés Solana | 9 | |
| Owen Racing Organisation | BRM | P261 P83 | BRM P60 2.0 V8 BRM P75 3.0 H16 | Graham Hill | All | |
| Owen Racing Organisation | BRM | P261 P83 | BRM P60 2.0 V8 BRM P75 3.0 H16 | Jackie Stewart | 1–2, 4–9 | |
| R.R.C. Walker Racing Team | Brabham-BRM | BT11 | BRM P60 2.0 V8 |  Jo Siffert | 1 | |
| R.R.C. Walker Racing Team | Cooper-Maserati | T81 | Maserati 9/F1 3.0 V12 | Jo Siffert | 2–5, 7–9 | |
| DW Racing Enterprises | Brabham-Climax | BT11 | Climax FPF 2.8 L4 | Bob Anderson | 1, 3–7 | |
| Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC | Ferrari | 246 312/66 | Ferrari 228 2.4 V6 Ferrari 218 3.0 V12 | Lorenzo Bandini | 1–3, 5–8 | |
| Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC | Ferrari | 246 312/66 | Ferrari 228 2.4 V6 Ferrari 218 3.0 V12 | John Surtees | 1–2 | |
| Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC | Ferrari | 246 312/66 | Ferrari 228 2.4 V6 Ferrari 218 3.0 V12 | Mike Parkes | 3, 5–7 | |
| Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC | Ferrari | 246 312/66 | Ferrari 228 2.4 V6 Ferrari 218 3.0 V12 | Ludovico Scarfiotti | 6–7 | |
 Anglo-Suisse Racing Team | Cooper-Maserati | T81 | Maserati 9/F1 3.0 V12 |  Jo Bonnier | 1–2, 5–9 | |
| Anglo-Suisse Racing Team | Brabham-Climax | BT22 | Climax FPF 2.8 L4 | Jo Bonnier | 3 | |
| Anglo-Suisse Racing Team | Brabham-Climax | BT7 | Climax FWMV 2.0 V8 | Jo Bonnier | 4 | |
| Team Chamaco Collect | BRM | P261 | BRM P60 2.0 V8 | Bob Bondurant | 1–2, 4, 6–7 | |
| Team Chamaco Collect | BRM | P261 | BRM P60 2.0 V8 | Vic Wilson | 2 | |
| Phil Hill | Lotus-Climax | 25 | Climax FWMV 2.0 V8 | Phil Hill | 1 | |
| Phil Hill | McLaren-Ford | M2B | Ford 406 3.0 V8 | Phil Hill | 2 | |
 Guy Ligier | Cooper-Maserati | T81 | Maserati 9/F1 3.0 V12 | Guy Ligier | 1–6 | |
| Anglo American Racers | Eagle-Climax | Mk1 | Climax FPF 2.8 L4 | Dan Gurney | 2–6, 9 | |
| Anglo American Racers | Eagle-Climax | Mk1 | Climax FPF 2.8 L4 | Phil Hill | 7 | |
| Anglo American Racers | Eagle-Climax | Mk1 | Climax FPF 2.8 L4 | Bob Bondurant | 8 | |
| Anglo American Racers | Eagle-Weslake | Mk1 | Weslake 58 3.0 V12 | Dan Gurney | 7–8 | |
| Anglo American Racers | Eagle-Weslake | Mk1 | Weslake 58 3.0 V12 | Bob Bondurant | 9 | |
| David Bridges | Brabham-BRM | BT11 | BRM P60 2.0 V8 | John Taylor | 3–6 | |
| Shannon Racing Cars | Shannon-Climax | SH1 | Climax FPE 3.0 V8 | Trevor Taylor | 4 | |
| J.A. Pearce Engineering Ltd | Cooper-Ferrari | T73 | Ferrari Tipo 168 3.0 V12 | Chris Lawrence | 4, 6 | |
| Caltex Racing Team | Brabham-Ford | BT18 | Ford Cosworth SCA 1.0 L4 | Kurt Ahrens Jr. | 6 | |
| Tyrrell Racing Organisation | Matra-BRM | MS5 | BRM P80 1.0 L4 | Hubert Hahne | 6 | |
| Tyrrell Racing Organisation | Matra-Ford | MS5 | Ford Cosworth SCA 1.0 L4 |  Jacky Ickx | 6 | |
| Roy Winkelmann Racing | Brabham-Ford | BT18 | Ford Cosworth SCA 1.0 L4 | Hans Herrmann | 6 | |
| Roy Winkelmann Racing | Brabham-Ford | BT18 | Ford Cosworth SCA 1.0 L4 | Alan Rees | 6 | |
| Matra Sports | Matra-Ford | MS5 | Ford Cosworth SCA 1.0 L4 | Jo Schlesser | 6 | |
| Matra Sports | Matra-Ford | MS5 | Ford Cosworth SCA 1.0 L4 | Jean-Pierre Beltoise | 6 | |
| Silvio Moser | Brabham-Ford | BT16 | Ford Cosworth SCA 1.0 L4 | Silvio Moser | 6 | |
 Honda R & D Company | Honda | RA273 | Honda RA273E 3.0 V12 | Richie Ginther | 7–9 | |
| Honda R & D Company | Honda | RA273 | Honda RA273E 3.0 V12 | Ronnie Bucknum | 8–9 | |
| Chris Amon Racing | Brabham-BRM | BT11 | BRM P60 1.9 V8 | Chris Amon | 7 | |
| Bernard White Racing | BRM | P261 | BRM P60 1.9 V8 | Innes Ireland | 8–9 |
- Pink background denotes F2 entrants to the German Grand Prix
1966 World Championship of Drivers – final standings
Jack Brabham won the World Championship of Drivers driving for his own team, Brabham
placed second driving for Ferrari and Cooper
placed third driving for Cooper
- 1 – Ineligible for Formula One points, because he drove with a Formula Two car.
1966 International Cup for F1 Manufacturers – final standings
| Pos. | Manufacturer | MON | BEL | FRA | GBR | NED | GER | ITA | USA | MEX | Pts. |
| 1 | Brabham-Repco | Ret | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Ret | 2 | 42 | ||
| 2 | Ferrari | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 1 | Ret | 31 | |||
| 3 | Cooper-Maserati | NC | 2 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 30 | ||
| 4 | BRM | 1 | Ret | Ret | 3 | 2 | 4 | 7 | Ret | Ret | 22 |
| 5 | Lotus-BRM | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | 5 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 13 |
| 6 | Lotus-Climax | Ret | Ret | Ret | 4 | 3 | Ret | 9 | 6 | Ret | 8 |
| 7 | Eagle-Climax | NC | 5 | Ret | Ret | 7 | DNQ | DSQ | 5 | 4 | |
| 8 | Honda | Ret | NC | 4 | 3 | ||||||
| 9 | McLaren-Ford | Ret | Ret | 5 | Ret | 2 | |||||
| 10 | Brabham-Climax | Ret | Ret | 7 | 7 | Ret | Ret | 6 | 1 | ||
| = | Brabham-BRM | Ret | 6 | 8 | 8 | Ret | DNQ | 1 | |||
| = | McLaren-Serenissima | DNS | 6 | DNS | 1 | ||||||
| — | Cooper-Ferrari | 11 | Ret | 0 | |||||||
| — | Eagle-Weslake | Ret | Ret | Ret | 0 | ||||||
| — | Shannon-Climax | Ret | 0 | ||||||||
| Pos. | Manufacturer | MON | BEL | FRA | GBR | NED | GER | ITA | USA | MEX | Pts. |
- Bold results counted to championship totals.
Non-Championship race results
| Race Name | Circuit | Date | Winning driver | Constructor | Report |
 South African Grand Prix | Prince George | 1 January | Mike Spence | Lotus-Climax | Report |
| Gran Premio di Siracusa | Syracuse | 1 May | John Surtees | Ferrari | Report |
| BRDC International Trophy | Silverstone | 14 May | Jack Brabham | Brabham-Repco | Report |
| International Gold Cup | Oulton Park | 17 September | Jack Brabham | Brabham-Repco | Report |