Vintage Racing

Siffert’s first F1 race

I can't find the reference. He's not in the classification at Zandvoort and Monaco '62 is listed as his first F1 entry.

Grand Prix de Bruxelles April 1st. He was loaned a 1500cc engine by Colin Chapman to put in his Lotus Formula Junior car, according to Motor Sport magazine May 1962 issue. "Once again Siffert sorted out the two private Porsches with his Ford-engined Lotus."

Edit to add another detail: "Trevor Taylor drove the second Team Lotus entry, which was a V8 type chassis frame, with 4-cylinder Coventry-Climax engine and Colotti gearbox, but with 1961 suspension all round. This special car has been built for the Swiss driver Siffert, who was due to take delivery after the race!"

Little did Seppi know that the Lotus 24 he was buying would be made obsolete by the Type 25 at Zandvoort. 😬

And another addition from practice: "The little Lotus-Junior with 1.4-litre Ford pushrod engine was going absurdly fast and Siffert was thoroughly enjoying himself, keeping up with Coopers and passing Porsches, and getting 8,200 r.p.m. in top gear, which caused Chapman to hurriedly look around for some large wheels to put on the back, as 7,000 r.p.m. was the top limit put on the engine by Cosworth."

Another one from the Monaco report after qualifying: "It was very hard on Siffert, who had done a remarkable 1 min. 38.9 sec. with his 4-cylinder Lotus, beating "invited" drivers Ginther, Taylor, Bonnier and Maggs, and Lewis who equalled Ginther's works car time with his private B.R.M."

So he entered but did not qualify -- only 16 starters in those days.