WORDS BY ROB HANSFORD | IMAGES BY BRIAN SMITH/GETTY IMAGES
Former Formula 1 driver Tony Brooks has passed away, aged 90.
Brooks, who was the last remaining grand prix winner from the 1950s had an F1 career spanning six years.
During that time he raced for a number of the championship’s biggest teams, including Vanwall and Ferrari, winning six races along the way.
Brooks made his debut in 1956, driving a BRM P25, but moved to Vanwall the following year, racing alongside Stirling Moss.
He stayed with the team for two seasons, finishing third in the driver’s championship in 1957, before heading to Maranello to race for Ferrari.
It was at Ferrari that he achieved his best championship result, ending the 1959 season runner-up to Jack Brabham.
Brooks’ final season in F1 was in 1961, having returned to race for BRM, the team that gave him his debut.
The partnership was more successful second time round, and although Brooks failed to win again, he did achieve a podium result in his final race, finishing third in the United States Grand Prix.
But being an F1 winner wasn’t Brooks’ only accomplishment. He was also successful in sportscar racing, winning the 1957 1000km Nurburgring and the 1958 RAC Tourist Trophy.