How do you pick the best Formula 1 cars from the series’ 75-year history? It ain’t easy.
But when the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion gets under way August 13-16 at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca in California you can assume it’ll be spectacular.
Ellen Bireley, former executive director of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, will curate the class. She has previously orchestrated memorable displays such as the 2022 tribute to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and last year’s 50th anniversary of historic racing at Laguna Seca.
“From England and Australia to Japan and throughout the Americas, I’m in discussion with owners of both early groundbreaking designs to more modern machines that showcase the most advanced technology,” Bireley said. “Harnessing the vast knowledge of members on our Advisory Council has been critical in locating the best of the best from private collections and museums.”
More than two dozen F1 cars from all eras are expected to line up on the grid in August, part of over 400 cars in 14 groups that will race on the 11 turns of the track. That includes the F1 classes of pre-1966 and 1966-1985 cars.
So far, we know about three cars chosen.
1966 Eagle Mk 1 Climax Chassis 101
Chassis 101 was campaigned by All American Racers (AAR) in the 1966 and 1967 F1 seasons. With Dan Gurney at the wheel, it managed 5th place finishes at the French and Mexican Grands Prix and a 7th at the German Grand Prix.
Also of note, Phil Hill and Bob Bondurant both raced this car for AAR. After its time with AAR, the car was sold and driven by Al Pease, a Canadian who holds the distinction as the only driver disqualified for a Grand Prix for being too slow.
1967 Lotus Type 49 R2/R11
One of the most storied in the group, this is the machine Jim Clark took to victory at its race debut at Zandvoort 1967, in addition to wins at Silverstone and Watkins Glen. It is also the same car he drove at Monza in what has been considered the Scotsman’s greatest performance.
He led the race until lap 12, picked up a puncture and lost an entire lap. Clark then spent the next 48 laps recovering through the field, taking the lead on lap 60 before succumbing to a faulty fuel pump on the final lap, dropping him to third place.
1958 Vanwall VW5/11
A pivotal British racing machine, chassis VW5, was one of the new cars built by Vanwall for the 1957 season. That year, Stirling Moss drove it to two wins, while in 1958 Tony Brooks scored two wins in VW5 and Stirling Moss also added a further victory to this car’s tally.
For the 1959 season, it was upgraded and renumbered VW11. In this guise it was raced into the 1960 season by Tony Brooks. Vanwall was the first British race car to win the Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship.
The addition of the pre-1966 class is a first for Monterey, with many of the entries expected from international drivers.
“I’m looking forward to returning to Monterey Reunion in 2025 to be part of the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of Formula 1,” Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, said when the class was announced last summer.
“McLaren has a long and successful standing in the series, so it’s fantastic to celebrate Formula 1’s history as we continue our battle to consistently fight at the front of the grid in the present. It’s one of my favourite events of the year, so I am excited to attend again with United Autosports as Monterey once again showcases its passion for motorsport.”
Friends of Laguna Seca Vice President Bruce Canepa concurred. “It’s the pinnacle of motorsports and we are thrilled to be celebrating F1’s heritage, and future, on the series’ 75th anniversary. While F1 has never professionally raced at Laguna Seca, the historic F1 cars that race during the Rolex Reunion have been keeping the passion alive for past, present, and future generations.”
