A German racing driver who competed in Formula One, winning 10 Grands Prix, and also participated in sports car racing and rallying.
Rolf Stommelen is renowned for his exceptional skills in endurance sports car racing, having won the 24 Hours of Daytona four times and the Targa Florio in 1967. He is also remembered for his impressive Formula One career, participating in 63 Grands Prix and achieving one podium finish.
Rolf Johann Stommelen was born on July 11, 1943, in Siegen, Germany. He began his racing career in the 1960s, competing in various national and international events. Stommelen's talent and dedication quickly earned him recognition, and he became one of the best endurance sports car racing drivers of his time.
Stommelen's impressive résumé in endurance racing includes four wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona (1968, 1978, 1980, and 1982) and a victory at the 1967 Targa Florio in a Porsche 910. He also won pole position for the 1969 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Porsche 917, achieving a remarkable speed of over 350 km/h (217 mph) on the Le Mans circuit's Mulsanne Straight.
In 1970, Stommelen made his Formula One debut with Brabham, securing sponsorship from the German magazine Auto, Motor und Sport. Throughout the 1970s, he raced both sports cars and Formula One, competing for teams such as Toj and Porsche works teams.
Tragedy struck during the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix at Montjuich Park in Barcelona. Stommelen's Hill GH1 suffered a rear wing failure, causing him to crash and kill five spectators. He was seriously injured in the incident, which ultimately led to the end of the Grand Prix's tenure at Montjuich Park.
After a lengthy recovery, Stommelen returned to sports car racing, winning races for Alfa Romeo and claiming three more wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona. In 1976, he had the honor of driving the maiden race of the Porsche 936 at the 300 km Nürburgring race, finishing second in heavy rain.
Rolf Stommelen's remarkable career has left an indelible mark on the world of motorsport. His impressive achievements in endurance racing and Formula One have cemented his status as one of the greatest drivers of his era. Though his life was cut short in a racing accident on April 24, 1983, Stommelen's legacy continues to inspire and inspire new generations of racing enthusiasts.
81 Years Old
A legendary racing driver who won six Formula One Grands Prix, 37 Formula One podiums, and is a six-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner. Known for his versatility and success in various racing disciplines.
77 Years Old
Three-time Formula One World Champion and entrepreneur who survived a near-fatal crash to become a racing legend and successful businessman.
79 Years Old
A German racing legend, known for his versatility in competing in various motorsport disciplines, including Formula One, sports cars, and touring cars. He won the 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans.
97 Years Old
A two-time Formula One World Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner, known for his charismatic personality and versatility in various racing disciplines.
Born in 1926
Australian Formula One driver who won three World Drivers' Championships and founded the Brabham racing team. He's credited with being the first driver to win a championship in a car of his own construction.
90 Years Old
A Formula One World Champion and Indy 500 winner, known for his versatile driving skills and humble personality.
