With the upcoming lifting of the ban on motor racing on circuits in Switzerland, the question of the return of Formula 1 to this country may begin to arise, but can we really speak of a return?
If Switzerland has inscribed its name in the Formula 1 world championship, the race has rarely taken place on its land. And this, because of an accident in one of its border countries, France. On Saturday June 11, 1955, during the 23rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Pierre Levegh’s Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR crashed into Lance Macklin’s Austin-Healey and flew away at the end of the 35th lap. Taking off from the ground at more than 200 km/h, it will end its race tragically in the surrounding crowd. The toll is the worst for a motorsport accident: 84 dead, more than 200 injured, and thousands of upset fans.
The consequences on the automobile are serious. In addition to the catastrophic human toll, Mercedes announces its withdrawal from motor racing for life. It will be necessary to wait until 1998 to see the star again on the Le Mans track, and 2010 for its appearance in Formula 1. Another departure from the competition, this time on a larger scale: Switzerland.
While other countries only opt for a short honorary withdrawal, Switzerland decides to ban all motor racing on the circuit, only races against the clock of hills are authorized. This did not prevent the development of a structure and a Swiss automobile driver, because big Swiss names have emerged under the Swiss ban, we can think of Clay Raganozzi, vice-world champion in 74 Formula 1 and multiple winner of Grand Price. Sébastien Buemi, former Formula 1 driver, and multiple winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in Formula E. We can also think of the Sauber teams in Formula 1 and Rebellion Racing in Endurance.
Formula 1 in Switzerland
Before the ban on motorsport in Switzerland, there were indeed Grand Prix in the mountains. From 1934 to 1954, the Grand Prix took place at Bremgarten, a 7.280 km/h track, reminiscent of the old Spa-Francorchamps layout. This Grand Prix however did not take place from 1940 to 1946 for some obvious reasons, although Switzerland was neutral. Before 1940, the 6 editions of the Swiss Grand Prix were all won by Germans, once with Auto-Union, 5 with Mercedes-Benz. After the war, and with the understandable financial difficulties of Germany, the 8 Grand Prix almost all ended without a German victory, except for the last one in 54, won by… Mercedes-Benz and a certain Fangio. The other 7 Grand Prix were won by two Italian brands: Ferrari and Alfa Romeo
After the accident of 55, there was never again a Grand Prix on Swiss territory, hill climbs remained authorized as well as certain off-circuit events. It will be necessary to wait until 2018 to see a car competition organized on “circuit”, and by circuit we mean temporary installation in the center of Zurich for the Zurich E-Prix of Formula E. First E-Prix organized on Swiss territory, which will also be won by Sébastien Buemi, on his native land.
When a Grand Prix is organized in a foreign country
Indeed, there has not been a Formula 1 Grand Prix organized on Swiss territory since 1954. But there have indeed been two Swiss Grand Prix after 1955. And this GP was not quite in agreement with its name, because the race took place in France twice, in 1975 and 1982, on the circuit of Dijon-Prenois… The circuit of Dijon being close to the border, it is the Automobile Club Suisse who was in charge of the organization of the two editions, explaining the name Grand Prix de Suisse on Dijon territory.
The first French Swiss Grand Prix in 1975 was considered outside the Formula 1 world championship, meaning that even though it was indeed a Formula 1 race, and the official drivers of the world championship took part, this race would not earn points in the standings. The first qualifying place was gleaned by the French driver Jean-Pierre Jarier for the Shadow-Ford team, but the latter was forced to retire following a broken transmission despite the fastest lap in the race. The Swiss driver Clay Ragazzoni with his Ferrari 312T will win this race. Starting third, he will be ahead of Patrick Depailler and Jochen Mass.
The second edition took place on August 29, 1982, still on the Dijon-Prenois circuit, and this time the Grand Prix was part of the World Championship and points were at stake. Pole position went to Alain Prost, the latter will lead 77 laps out of the 80 planned, but will lose his first place in favor of the Finn Keke Rosberg, who has moved up 8 places, he becomes the first Finn in history to win a Grand Prix of the Formula 1 World Championship the year he won his first World Champion title. He finds with him on the podium the future world champion Alain Prost and the double world champion (at the time, editor’s note) Niki Lauda. An exceptional podium that will settle the last Swiss Grand Prix in history.
With the possible return of motorsport to Switzerland, it is possible that a Grand Prix on the border territory will take place in the years to follow, it would be a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to all the Swiss drivers and teams who race in the world. , and allow us to remember the victims of the tragic accident of 55.
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