From the potato field to victory - Jo Siffert's first GP success in Syracusa in 1963

Premium

From the potato field to victory - Jo Siffert's first GP success in Syracusa in 1963

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on April 21, 2023

Text:

Thomas Suter

Photos:

Grand Prix Photo

3

Jean-Claude Fontana

2

Archiv Philip Siffert

2

Actualfoto, Bologna

1

Archiv

1

9

Lotus (1963) - The successful crew Heini Mader, Jo Siffert, Jean-Pierre Oberson, Paul Blancpain (from left to right) in 1963 after their return from Syracusa in Fribourg

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jo Siffert before the start of the F1 race in Syracusa

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jo Siffert happy after his first F1 victory in Syracusa

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus (1963) - Jo Siffert in Siracusa 1963

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jo Siffert in a Lotus at the Silverstone Grand Prix in 1963

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

ATS F1 (1963) - in Monza - Hill in ATS ahead of Siffert in Lotus and Anderson in Lola (published in the book "A.T.S. - the Italian team that challenged Ferrari")

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jo Siffert sitting on the trailer at a time when he was still plagued by money worries and constant fatigue

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Simple food in the boxes (Siffert and Jean-Claude Fontana in the foreground)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Formula 1 1963 German GP Nürburgring - Jo Siffert in his Lotus

You have only

1 out of 9

images seen in high resolution

Jo Siffert glücklich nach seinem ersten F1-Sieg in Syracusa

Lotus (1963) - Jo Siffert in Siracusa 1963

Jo Siffert im Lotus anlässlich des Grand Prix von Silverstone im Jahr 1963

ATS F1 (1963) - in Monza - Hill auf ATS vor Siffert im Lotus und Anderson auf Lola (publiziert im Buch "A.T.S. - the Italian team that challenged Ferrari")

Jo Siffert sitzend auf dem Fahrzeuganhänger, zu einer Zeit, in der er noch von Geldsorgen und ständiger Übermüdung geplagt war

Einfaches Essen in den Boxen (Siffert und Jean-Claude Fontana im Vordergrund)

Summary

Exactly 60 years ago, the young Formula 1 racing driver Jo Siffert won his first Grand Prix victory in Syracusa. The competition was not very strong that day, as the race was not part of the world championship. But Siffert was still able to demonstrate his superior driving skills and lay the foundations for later successes, especially as the season had not got off to the best of starts. This report looks back 60 years and describes the special day.

This article contains the following chapters

Good conditions for Syracusa
Pole position and first victory
Result
Review - Gran Premio Syracusa - highs and lows for Siffert
April 25, 1963 in Sicily
Gran Premio Syracusa - successes for Swiss
Profile of Heini Mader

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Jo Siffert's racing mechanic Heini Mader remembers the 1963 season opener as if it were only yesterday: "At the start of the 1963 season, a Formula 1 race was scheduled in Snetterton, England. During the preparation phase, we worked day and night on the Lotus 24-BRM to get the Formula 1 racing car ready for the race. But it all came to an end during practice, because Siffert took off into the potato field next to the track and literally sank the car to the level of the engine intake funnels... " The crew of mechanics dug out the racing car, started cleaning it up, took a detour via the Lotus factory and, after a lot of hard work, arrived in Pau (F) just two weeks later. This race ended with a retirement. "The following week, Siffert finished second in Imola (I) and was the only driver not to be lapped by the winner, Jim Clark. He sensationally won the next race in Syracusa (I)," summarizes Mader and continues: "We knew we were on the right track."

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Jo Siffert glücklich nach seinem ersten F1-Sieg in Syracusa

Lotus (1963) - Jo Siffert in Siracusa 1963

Jo Siffert im Lotus anlässlich des Grand Prix von Silverstone im Jahr 1963

ATS F1 (1963) - in Monza - Hill auf ATS vor Siffert im Lotus und Anderson auf Lola (publiziert im Buch "A.T.S. - the Italian team that challenged Ferrari")

Jo Siffert sitzend auf dem Fahrzeuganhänger, zu einer Zeit, in der er noch von Geldsorgen und ständiger Übermüdung geplagt war

Einfaches Essen in den Boxen (Siffert und Jean-Claude Fontana im Vordergrund)

Source: