Lorenzo Bandini

Lorenzo Bandini (21 December 1935 - 10 May 1967) was an Italian racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1961 to 1967, winning the 1964 Austrian Grand Prix for Ferrari and establishing himself as one of the Scuderia's leading drivers before his tragic death at the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix. Born in Barce, Cyrenaica, Libya—then an Italian colony—Bandini's family returned to Italy in 1939, settling near Florence, where he grew up during and after World War II. Unlike many racing drivers who came from privileged backgrounds, Bandini initially worked as a mechanic, gaining intimate knowledge of automotive engineering that would serve him throughout his career. His racing aspirations began in motorcycle competition before he transitioned to cars, making his circuit racing debut in 1957 driving a borrowed Fiat 1100 in local Italian events.

In 1958, Bandini achieved a notable class victory at the legendary Mille Miglia, the epic 1,000-mile road race through Italy that was then in its final years. This success led to opportunities in Formula Junior, the popular junior single-seater category that served as a training ground for future Grand Prix drivers. Bandini's performances in Formula Junior attracted the attention of Enzo Ferrari himself, who recognized the young Florentine's talent, determination, and the mechanical sympathy he brought to his driving. Bandini made his Formula One debut in 1961 with the privateer Scuderia Centro Sud team before signing for Ferrari the following year—a dream come true for any Italian racing driver.

His first race for Ferrari came at the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix, and remarkably, Bandini celebrated his debut for the Scuderia with a podium finish, placing third behind Bruce McLaren's Cooper and teammate Phil Hill's Ferrari. This strong debut performance validated Ferrari's faith in promoting the young Italian to the works team. Throughout 1962 and 1963, Bandini established himself as a reliable points scorer for Ferrari, demonstrating particular skill on street circuits and in wet conditions. In 1963, he competed at seven Grands Prix while simultaneously pursuing Ferrari's sports car program with tremendous success.

That year, Bandini won the 24 Hours of Le Mans sharing a Ferrari 250 P with Ludovico Scarfiotti, achieving victory at the world's most prestigious endurance race. He also finished runner-up at the 12 Hours of Sebring, demonstrating his versatility across both sprint and endurance racing formats. The 1964 season represented Bandini's career peak in Formula One. Retained by Ferrari, he scored his sole Grand Prix victory at the inaugural Austrian Grand Prix at the Zeltweg airfield circuit, holding off a strong field to secure an emotional maiden win.

Throughout the season, Bandini delivered several further podium finishes, combining consistency with competitiveness to finish fourth in the World Drivers' Championship—his career-best result. His performances that year established him as one of Ferrari's leading drivers and a legitimate contender for future championships. Bandini continued to score podiums throughout 1965 and 1966, finishing sixth and ninth in the respective championships. By mid-1966, when John Surtees dramatically walked out of Ferrari following disputes with team management, Bandini found himself elevated to the team's number one driver, supported by Mike Parkes and Ludovico Scarfiotti.

This promotion represented the ultimate achievement for the boy from Florence—leading Scuderia Ferrari in Grand Prix racing. In endurance racing, Bandini added another major victory to his résumé by winning the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1967, again driving for Ferrari, giving him victories at two of endurance racing's most prestigious events. The 1967 Formula One season began with Bandini scoring a second-place finish at the season-opening Monaco Grand Prix, demonstrating that both he and Ferrari's new V12-powered 312 were competitive for victories. However, tragedy struck at the following race, the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix on 7 May.

Running second to Denny Hulme's Brabham on the 82nd lap, Bandini entered the harbor chicane but lost control of his Ferrari 312. The left rear wheel struck the guard rail, sending the car into an erratic skid before it crashed into a barrier, overturned, and caught fire. With the car lying upside down and Bandini trapped underneath, the magnesium components of the chassis fueled intense flames. Marshals struggled to right the car and extract Bandini from the inferno, taking precious minutes during which he sustained catastrophic injuries.

He suffered third-degree burns covering more than 70 percent of his body, a chest wound, and ten chest fractures. Bandini was rushed to the Princess Grace Polyclinic Hospital in Monte Carlo, where he fought for life for three agonizing days before succumbing to his injuries on 10 May 1967. He was just 31 years old. Bandini's death shocked the motorsport world and added to Monaco's reputation as one of Formula One's most dangerous circuits.

His funeral in Florence was attended by thousands of mourners, reflecting the esteem in which he was held by Italian fans who had embraced him as their champion. To honor his memory, the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy was established in 1992, an annual award recognizing individuals and teams for significant achievements in Formula One. Lorenzo Bandini's legacy endures as one of Ferrari's most beloved drivers of the 1960s—a talented, brave competitor who represented the dreams of working-class Italian racing enthusiasts and whose tragic death served as another reminder of the immense dangers that characterized Grand Prix racing during that era.