When the 1.5-liter formula for Grand Prix cars replaced the previous 2.5-liter displacement limit in 1961, many observers feared that a period of boring races at low speeds would follow. And today, almost 60 years later, the four years in which the 1.5-liter Formula 1 cars raced to victory and defeat are almost forgotten.
Yet this period was one of the most exciting times in Formula 1. Not only were new engines introduced time and again, but the leap from the tubular frame to the monocoque chassis also took place in those years. And new talents attracted attention, such as Jackie Stewart and Jochen Rindt. And they had their hands full, because the lightweight cars required enormous concentration and a great deal of driving skill.
Variety
In the five years of the 1.5-liter Formula 1, four different racing drivers - Phil Hill, Jim Clark, John Surtees and Graham Hill - became world champions and a large number of racing teams were able to compete for victory and the podium, including BRM, Lotus, Cooper, Lola, Ferrari and Brabham.
In addition, Porsche attacked the established British and Italian racing cars with an air-cooled eight-cylinder engine and Honda introduced a truly innovative solution with its transverse-mounted V12 engine.
The small engines produced around 200 hp, the kerb weight was around 450 kg and the silhouettes before and after were never as slim as in those days.
Historical essay
With their book "Grand Prix 1961-1965 - The years of the 1.5-liter Formula 1", Jörg-Thomas Födisch, Rainer Rossbach and Nils Ruwisch have provided a historical account of the five 1.5-liter F1 years. Richard Atwood wrote the foreword.
First, the five years of Grand Prix are reproduced Grand Prix by Grand Prix. This is followed by a section for each world champion, a description of the engines used, explanations of the chassis and then a few remarks about contemporaries of that era.
The descriptions give a comprehensive impression of the four seasons and the most important teams, drivers, cars and constructors.
Due to the bilingual design, the information is shorter in some places than you might imagine with 350 pages, but the price of EUR 99.90 is also okay, which would certainly not have been feasible with smaller editions.
Picture paradise
But it is above all the pictures that make this work absolutely worth reading. There are pictures of every race, and surprisingly many of them are even in color. Bernhard Cahier, McKlein and several others have combed through their archives and have certainly compiled some of the most magnificent Formula 1 photos of the 1.5-liter era.
With over 500 photos, many of which are printed in large format, the book is a feast for the eyes. Above all, you will also find photos of drivers and racing cars that you don't see every day.
For racing fans
If you like the early sixties and their elegant cigar-shaped Formula 1 cars, McKlein's new book is an excellent overview of that period, illustrated with rare and remarkable pictures.
Bibliographical details
- Title: Grand Prix 1961-1965 - The years of the 1.5-liter Formula 1
- Authors: Jörg-Thomas Födisch, Rainer Rossbach and Nils Ruwisch
- Languages: German & English
- Publisher: McKlein Publishing
- Edition: 1st edition July 2020
- Format: 29 x 29 cm, hardcover in slipcase
- Scope: 360 pages, approx. 220 photos/illustrations in color and another 325 in black and white
- ISBN: 978-3947156276
- Price: EUR 99.90
- Buy/Order: Online at McKlein-Verlag, online at amazon.de or in relevant bookstores
