1960 German GP
Grosser Preis von Deutschland |
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Nürburgring-Südschleife |
July 31, 1960 |
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Ecurie Maarsbergen |
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Cooper-Climax T51 (1060) |
No: 22 |
Q: |
R: 14 |
C: F2 |
The 1960 German Grand Prix lost its status as a World Championship race because it was converted to Formula 2 class in a chauvinist attempt to give the Porsches a chance in their home race. It was also moved to the Südschleife, a shorter circuit where the audience could get a better view of cars and drivers at work. Of course the main reason for these changes was the declining attendance during the last editions of the event.
Ferrari threatened to spoil the German party by entering one of their new 156 Formula 2 cars, but they withdrew, so the only real opposition came from Cooper and Lotus, with Carel for a change being with the Cooper privateers racing the Germans. Come race day it was eventually the Eifel weather that kept many spectators at home and the start had to be postponed because of heavy rain.
Even after the start the spectators were deprived of much spectacle: the race itself was quite boring with the first three at the end of lap one finishing the race in the same order and what was worse, an upcoming fog limited the view and the speeds of the contenders considerably. But above all Germany had its home victory: Bonnier won for Porsche in front of team mate Von Trips. Carel drove his Cooper to a fittingly unspectacular 14th place.
1960 German GP highlights