1966 F1 Season

The 1966 Formula One season, commemorating the 20th season of FIA Formula One motor racing, was a notable period of transformation and innovation in the sport. The season, comprising nine races from 22 May to 23 October, introduced the ‘3 litre formula’, doubling the maximum engine capacity from the previous 1.5 litres. This significant change led to the “return to power” in the engineering of Formula One cars. Australian driver Jack Brabham won the World Championship of Drivers, while his team, Brabham-Repco, clinched the International Cup for F1 Manufacturers. The season marked a major shift in car engineering, as British constructors, following Climax’s exit from racing, sought new engine suppliers. Ferrari, though initially well-prepared, faced internal challenges when John Surtees, after winning the Belgian Grand Prix, left the team due to a dispute at Le Mans, subsequently joining Cooper. The season also introduced new regulations wherein cars that completed less than 90% of the race distance were not classified and didn’t receive points, even if they finished in the top six. Additionally, the maximum race distance was reduced from 500 km to 400 km. A somber note in the season was the tragic death of British driver John Taylor, who succumbed to injuries from a crash during the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, highlighting the nascent concerns for driver safety in Grand Prix racing.