1957 German GP
Grosser Preis von Deutschland |
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Nürburgring |
August 4, 1957 |
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Carel Godin de Beaufort |
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Porsche RS550 |
No: 27 |
Q: 20 |
R: 14 (3) |
C: GP (F2) |
The German Grand Prix of 1957 will be remembered for one of the greatest drives by one of the greatest drivers of the sport ever, but it was also the first time Carel Godin de Beaufort participated in a World Championship Grand Prix. Of course this was due to the fact that the Formula 1 and Formula 2 classes raced together in this event, but still it was his official debut. Carel entered a RS550 which was eligible for Formula 2. In his category he had eight opponents: two other Porsches and six Coopers. Carel qualified 20th overall, 6th in class.
At the start of the race the Ferraris of Hawthorn and Collins got the better of pole man Fangio in the Maserati. But from lap two onwards Fangio really began to charge, rushing past the Ferraris, breaking the lap record time and time again. At about mid-race he had built himself a cushion and he went into the pits for a planned stop for tyres and fuel. The stop took the Maserati mechanics more than 50 seconds and Fangio got back in the race well behind the Ferrari pair. Then began his historic drive. Fangio broke the lap record ten times (to 8 seconds within his own pole time!) and won.
The Formula 2 class race was an affair between Salvadori (Cooper) and Barth (Porsche). Both were faster than some of the Formula 1 cars. Salvadori retired from the lead and Formula 2 victory was for Barth, one lap clear of Naylor in second and Carel in third place. Carel's third place meant a 14th spot overall.
1957 German GP highlights