Formula 1 pioneer and the motor sport’s last surviving Grand Prix winner from the 1950s, Tony Brooks has died at the age of 90, his daughter Giulia announced. Notably, Brooks, who won 6 six Grands Prix, narrowly missed out on winning his maiden F1 title in 1959.
Nicknamed the “Racing Dentist”, Brooks registered his first win at the British Grand Prix in 1957. The British driver came agonisingly close to winning his maiden F1 title in 1959, but as fate would have it, his car was hit on the opening lap of the final race at Sebring by teammate Wolfgang von Trips.
He lost two minutes in the pits and came third, losing the F1 championship to Jack Brabham by just seven points.
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Tony Brooks
F1's last surviving race winner of the 1950s, Brooks was one of the earliest pioneers of the sport we love.
Our thoughts are with his loved ones pic.twitter.com/9hhY6MlmWZ
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 3, 2022
In his 38-race career, Brooks stood on the podium 10 times, including winning the Grand Prix of Belgium, France, Germany and Italy.
Remembering F1's 'Racing Dentist' – six time Grand Prix winner Tony Brooks
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 3, 2022
“I was saddened to hear the news that Tony Brooks has died,” Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.
“He was part of a special group of drivers who were pioneers and pushed the boundaries at a time of great risk”, Stefano added.
In his short career, Tony drove for Vanwall, Ferrari and Cooper. He retired in 1961 at the age of just 29.
