Being the son of a triple Formula 1 world champion, David Brabham had much to live up to. Although he did not manage to emulate his father Jack by winning the ultimate prize in motor racing, he did establish himself as a great all-rounder, competing successfully in a variety of racing series worldwide.
Brabham’s Early Motor Racing Career in Australia
Brabham first started driving in 1973, at the tender age of eight. It was another decade before he competed in his first kart race, going on to become a regional champion in Australia. After cutting his teeth in national Formula Ford Brabham embarked upon a busy racing season in 1987. He competed in Australian Formula 2, New Zealand Formula Atlantic and South African Formula 3.
British Formula 3 Champion and Formula 1 Debut
In 1988 Brabham moved to Britain, competing in Formula Vauxhall Lotus and Class B in the British Formula 3 series. He won the British Formula 3 crown outright in 1989, taking six victories. Brabham’s year was topped off by a win in the famous Macau Formula 3 race.
Brabham’s Formula 1 debut came in 1990 with the team started by his father. By that time the Brabham team was in serious decline and the car only qualified on a handful of occasions. Following a disappointing season Brabham turned his attention to sportscar racing with TWR, winning at Daytona in 1992. He also undertook Formula 1 testing duties for the Footwork team.
A Tragic Formula 1 Season with Simtek
The new Simtek team offered Brabham a return to Formula 1 in 1994. The neat, Nick Wirth designed car was underpowered but hopes were high. At Imola the team was devastated by the loss of Brabham’s team-mate, Roland Ratzenberger, in a high speed crash during qualifying. For the rest of the season the Simtek cars bore “For Roland” on their airboxes in memory of the Austrian driver. It was a year to forget, with Brabham’s best result being a tenth place finish in Spain. At the end of 1994 Brabham walked away from Formula 1.
Brabham’s Racing Career after Formula 1
Over the next few years Brabham competed in the British Touring Car Championship, the Japanese GT championship and the American Le Mans Series. A highlight came in 1997 when he won the classic Bathurst 1000 race at Mount Panorama, sharing a car with his older brother Geoff. Brabham continues to race, having become one of sports car racing’s most experienced and accomplished drivers.
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