Best known as a sports car driver, Joakim “Jo” Bonnier became one of the most experienced and respected drivers of his generation. He also confirmed his place in Formula 1 history by winning the first World Championship Grand Prix for BRM.
Early Racing Career in Sweden and Europe
Bonnier started racing against his family’s wishes. He was expected to become a doctor or work for a publishing company. Instead, he tinkered with motorcycles as a youth before moving to four wheels. Bonnier was born on January 31st, 1930 in Sweden. His car racing debut came in 1953, at the wheel of an HRG in an ice race.
Around the same time Bonnier also became a successful importer of Alfa Romeos to Sweden. This gave him the opportunity to race one of the company’s Disco Volante sports cars. Bonnier soon embarked upon a European racing trip, accompanied by his friend and fellow racing driver Herbert MacKay-Frazer. Sadly, MacKay-Frazer would be killed at Reims in 1957.
Bonnier’s Formula 1 debut came unexpectedly at the 1956 Italian Grand Prix, when regular Maserati driver Luigi Villoresi was taken ill at the last moment. Bonnier went on to drive a Maserati 250F in Grand Prix racing until late in the 1958 season, when he was offered a drive with BRM.
Bonnier Scores First Win for BRM at Zandvoort
The BRM P25 proved to a troublesome car. Perhaps the most famous image of the car is of Hans Herrmann’s somersaulting to destruction at AVUS after a brake failure, while the dazed driver watches on. It was therefore a surprise when Bonnier qualified his on pole for the 1959 Dutch Grand Prix.
In the race Bonnier ran at the front but, towards the end, it looked as though victory would go to Cooper driver Stirling Moss, who had helped develop the P25. When his gearbox broke it left the way clear for Bonnier to score a memorable victory.
Formula 1 Disappointment and Sports Car Success
Despite racing in Formula 1 for more than a decade after his Zandvoort win it would turn out to be the only World Championship victory of Bonnier’s career. During the sixties he drove for Porsche and Rob Walker, before setting up his own team. His final appearance was at the 1971 US Grand Prix, driving a McLaren.
If Formula 1 was a disappointment then sports car racing was certainly not. Bonnier won the classic Targa Florio in both 1960 and 1963. In between these victories he won the 1962 Sebring 12 Hours race. Bonnier also became a very active member of the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA), and pushed hard for safety improvements within the sport.
Bonnier’s Fatal Crash at Le Mans
Bonnier’s final race was the 1972 Le Mans 24 Hours. At the start he led the race briefly, despite driving a small two-litre Lola T280. Around 8am on June 11th Bonnier came up to pass a slower privateer Ferrari. The cars touched and the yellow Lola was launched into the forest. Bonnier was killed, at the age of 42.
 |
 |
