For a few brief years Stefan Bellof’s star shone very brightly indeed. The young German was near unbeatable in sports car racing and was rumoured to have a Formula 1 offer from Ferrari on the table. Unfortunately, Bellof’s Grand Prix career amounted to just 20 races with Tyrrell before his death in a Porsche 956 Group C car at Spa-Francorchamps.
Bellof Impresses in Formula 2
Bellof’s speed was evident throughout the early part of his career, but it was in Formula 2 that he really came to the attention of the international racing community. Despite lacking experience in the class he won at a wet Silverstone, driving a BMW powered Maurer. Bellof showed the result to be no fluke by also winning the next race at Hockenheim.
The Formula 2 performances certainly impressed Porsche, and Bellof was recruited by the German marque for the 1983 World Sportscar Championship. Driving a Rothmans backed 956 he won third time out at Silverstone with co-driver Derek Bell. Bellof also led at the Nurburgring, only to suffer a monumental accident from which he was fortunate to emerge unscathed. Two more victories followed before the end of the year, in Japan and South Africa.
World Champion with Porsche and Formula 1 with Tyrrell
If 1983 had been good then 1984 was incredible. In Group C there was no stopping Bellof as he recorded six victories en route to the World Championship. There was also a Formula 1 drive with Tyrrell to keep him occupied between his Porsche commitments. At Monaco Bellof produced an astonishing performance, progressing from last position at the start to third in heavy rain. If the race had not stopped early because of the deteriorating conditions he may well have caught Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost ahead.
For 1985 Bellof stayed with Tyrrell, although he missed the opening race of the season due to a contractual dispute. When he returned, in Portugal, Bellof delivered another of his wet weather master classes, finishing sixth after starting 22nd. Later in the year his Tyrrell finally received Renault turbo power, but there would be little time for Bellof to sample it.
Bellof's Fatal Accident at Spa
On September 1st, 1985, Bellof lined up at Spa-Francorchamps for another round of the WSC, driving a Brun Porsche 956. During the race he found himself on the tail of Jacky Ickx’s leading Rothmans Porsche. On a damp track Bellof went into the frighteningly quick Eau Rouge corner alongside his ex team-mate. The cars touched and Bellof’s 956 speared into the guardrail with devastating consequences. He was alive when removed from the wreckage but succumbed a short time later, aged just 27.
Perhaps the most fitting tribute to Bellof is his Nurburgring lap record, established in a Porsche 956. The old circuit was a place few drivers truly mastered, and many died trying. Bellof covered its 14 plus miles and 174 corners in just six minutes 11 seconds.
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