Date 16 July 1966 | Course length 4.26 km (2.65 mi) | |
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Official name XIX RAC British Grand Prix Location Brands Hatch
Kent, England Course Permanent racing facility Distance 80 laps, 341.18 km (212.00 mi) | ||
The 1966 British Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Brands Hatch on 16 July 1966. It was the fourth round of the 1966 World Championship. It was the 21st British Grand Prix and the second to be held at Brands Hatch. It was held over 80 laps of the four kilometre circuit for a race distance of 341 kilometres.
Contents
The race, the first of the new three-litre engine regulation era where starters reached 20 cars, was won for the third time by Australian driver Jack Brabham in his Brabham BT19, his second win in succession after winning the French Grand Prix two weeks earlier. New Zealand driver Denny Hulme finished second in his Brabham BT20, a first 1–2 win for the Brabham team. The pair finished a lap ahead of third placed British driver Graham Hill in his BRM P261.
Brabham's win ended a streak of 4 consecutive wins by Jim Clark at the British Grand Prix.
Brabham's win put him ten points clear in the championship chase over Austrian Cooper racer Jochen Rindt with Hulme and Ferrari's Lorenzo Bandini a point further back.
Race summary
Brabham and Hill duelled at the start, until rain storms arrived on the circuit. Whilst Brabham maintained his lead, Rindt who had changed to rain tyres was catching him rapidly, whilst John Surtees in the Cooper was in third, well clear of the rest of the field. Hill and Jim Clark then battled for second and third until Clark pitted and then Hulme took over second place. As the rain dried, Rindt fell back. Surtees and Hill retired with mechanical problems, leaving Clark in fourth. Brabham duly led home team-mate Hulme, Hill, Clark, Rindt and Bruce McLaren.