Tony Brooks dies aged 90

He was the last surviving race winner from the 1950s and raced alongside the likes of Juan Manuel Fangio and Sir Stirling Moss.

During an era of motorsport that saw drivers face peril whenever they stepped in a car, Brooks took six victories over the three-year period between 1957 and 1959, including wins at three of the world’s most revered and dangerous circuits: Spa-Francorchamps, the Nordschleife and Monza, in 1957. It’s a record that puts him fourth on the list of winners in the ‘50s, behind Fangio, Moss and Alberto Ascari.

Affectionately known as the ‘racing dentist’, Brooks was well respected among his peers, and he proved to be one of the best drivers of his generation, recognised for his driving skill and bravery. Moss described him as “the greatest ‘little known’ driver of all time.”

He achieved his best result in the F1 drivers’ world championship in 1958, when, driving for Ferrari, he finished as runner-up behind Jack Brabham.

Alongside his exploits in F1, Brooks also drove in sportscars, and took victories at the 1957 Nurburgring 1,000km and the 1958 RAC Tourist Trophy at Goodwood, both while driving for Aston Martin in the DBR1 alongside Moss.

He retired from competitive racing in 1961, but continued to involve himself in motorsport for decades thereafter, including as a regular guest at Goodwood Revival.

Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.