As you know, the track in Monte Carlo is the slowest in the championship calendar. At the same time, this is the most dangerous Formula 1 track. And despite this, in the long history of the Monaco Grand Prix, only one pilot died on the streets of the small Principality …
Lorenzo Bandini made his World Championship debut with the Scuderia Centro Sud, which used Cooper T53s, at the 1961 Belgian Grand Prix. Very soon the Commendatore noticed him and invited him to the team. In the very first race with the Reds, the Italian climbed to the podium. It happened at the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix.
But then the results worsened and Lorenzo started the next year in the former stable, but already at the wheel of BRM. However, in the middle of the championship, Bandini returned to Scuderia, never to leave it again.
Over the next three years, the Italian won only at the 1964 Austrian Grand Prix and in 1966 France started from pole position. When John Sjortis left the team, Bandini became the leader.
On May 7, 1967, Lorenzo Bandini started his 42nd race in the 47th Grand Prix. Jack Brebem started from pole, Lorenzo took the lead on the first lap, but then lost to Danny Hume. The Italian kept second and tried to keep up.
On the 82nd lap in the chicane after the tunnel, Lorenzo lost control of the car, which immediately caught fire after a strong blow to the fence. It took a while to tame the flames and Bandini was evacuated from the car, but he received 70% of his body burns, from which he died on May 10.
After that, the distance of the Monaco Grand Prix was significantly reduced and already at the next race, instead of the usual 100 laps, the riders covered only 80.
In honor of Lorenzo, the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy has been awarded since 1992 in the town of Brisighella in Italy for outstanding achievements in Formula 1. In our gallery you will find out who will be awarded the 24th Trophy on June 4th.