1959 Ferrari 246

I suppose the first question one has to ask is how one defines greatness in a racing car.  One of the most enjoyable racing cars I ever drove was the 1959 Ferrari 246. It was one of the last of the front-engined Grand Prix cars I drove, and each year produced a better car. That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy driving the Vanwall, or it wasn’t a great car too—it was. It’s just the Ferrari was just that little more refined with the benefit of another season of development.

So, going back to the original question, if my arm were twisted, I’d have to come down firmly on the side of the Ferrari 246.  However, I’d say my greatest race was the 1958 German GP, which I won in the Vanwall after having a terrific dice with both Mike Hawthorn and Peter Collins. I won the race, but more than that I was pleased to see my lap times, which were consistently coming down and down lap after lap.  It was unfortunate for me to learn after the race that poor Peter Collins had been killed; it certainly took the shine off of my victory. However, it does remain my greatest race.