gp du maroc 1958-3

The race :

“The 25 cars left the grid in a terrible din, and immediately, in the first turn, Stirling Moss attacks. I think he will keep this rhythm until the end of the race, he has no choice.

He is followed closely by Phil Hill who aims not to let it slip by and push him to fail. In 3rd position, Stuart Lewis-Evans pursues Phil Hill. Then a “intruder”, if I can say, follows him, Joachim Bonnier which took an excellent start with his BRM. Mike Hawthorn, which completely missed its start, finds wheel in wheel with Tony Brooks and his Vanwall.
Harry Schell arrives then in 7th rank.
As you can note it, there is only Vanwall, Ferrari or BRM in the head.

In the following group, Jean Behra is leading, followed by Olivier Gendebien, Ron Flockart, Maurice Trintignant. Other Formulas 2, small teams, such as Lotus, Cooper and Maserati or local pilots close the race.

We can see, from the gateway upon the climb which follows the first turn, the ceaseless attacks done by Stirling Moss and Phil Hill. They were already detached

The cars will now pass for the first time in front of the stands to more than 155 miles per hour. Always leading, Stirling Moss and Phil Hill who with tendency to take many risks. Mike hawthorn in 3rd position is followed by Jo Bonnier, Tony Brooks and Lewis-Evans.

Stirling Moss and Phil Hill at the 1st lap :

We are now in the second lap and one announces me that Phil Hill is out! It left the track without seriousness but must yield its place to Mike Hawthorn and Jo Bonnier. In 3 laps he passed from the second to the fourth place. Stirling Moss is now all alone leading, but he must nevertheless continue to attack because he must take down the best lap in race to be able to have an extra point for winning the world championship.

Phil Hill out the circuit :

As it stands, Mike Hawthorn is virtually world champion if positions remain fixed. But remember, it would be enough for him to finish the race at the second place to be the world champion.

Mike Hawthorn regular by Jo Bonnier :

For the moment, the nearest Vanwall to Moss is number 10 driven by Brooks who is in 5th position.

It is announced me that Maserati of the Italian Gerino Gerini, seems to have problems, it loses places, whereas it was with the 16th position, it’s now 22nd. “

Below, pictures taken by Bernard Cahier which clearly show the styles of Hawthorn and Moss.

As you can see, Mike Hawthorn uses a fluid tactic which enables him to ensure its position in race; he takes fine and well calculated trajectories. Whereas, the “missile” Moss is obliged to do controlled skids in corners.

“Exit of Phil Hill has good! In two laps he could gain the two places which he had lost. Unchained, he again joined Stirling Moss.

But I realise that Phil Hill, who is a so good pilot, is not in the place which it deserves. I’m thus ask towards a fellow-member to know why:
- If you look at well, Phil Hill does not participate in many races. Indeed, he was taking part only at four of them on all the championship. Thus he does not have many points.
- And why these absences?
- Hill was engaged in Formula 1 only at the middle of this season. He was immediately engaged by Ferrari because he had already run for this team during the 24 hours of Le Mans this year, and he won with his team fellow-member Olivier Gendebien.

Multiple position changes take place. Lewis-Evans Lewis-Evans has been overtaken like Maurice Trintignant, who loses places little by little. But I am sure, he is slowing down. His engine smokes and it is the abandonment! Only 24 cars are on the track from the 9th lap. But let us check current standings.
Stirling Moss is always first, close followed by Phill Hill. Then Mike Hawthorn, Jo Bonnier, Tony Brooks, who cannot catch up with the Ferrari’s, Jean Behra and Lewis-Evans in 7^th position.

Stirling Moss :

Joackim Bonnier :

Phill Hill continues his ascent, but does not get rhythm imposed by Stirling Moss. I fear, except a race incident, that it cannot be made up.

Phil Hill :

The Lotus 16 driven by Graham Hill has got a problem, he is now in the pits, mechanicians are changing main parts of the car. He looses 10 places, from the 13^th to the 23^rd; his driver also stays in front of the German Wolfgang Seidel.

Two rivals are beginning their ascent now, Tony Brooks who was in 5^th position, passes now BRM of Jo Bonnier, which only goes to show everything is possible because 40 laps are remaining. Likewise Olivier Gendebien and his Ferrari, who have just passed Jean Behra for the 6^th position.

One could say for Ferrari reinforcements are coming!

Olivier Gendebien :

Tony brooks :

Two new abandonment’s in the same lap! Wolfgang Seidel, the challenger, who left the road himself. He will not be able to finish the race! Like Ron Flockart which has made a good recovery during the race. His engine, and precisely a camshaft, gave way.
Only 21 pilots are on the track.

The race goes on, and a new fight occurs: Tony Brooks just passes in front of Hawthorn, who was in a comfortable position. Mike Hawthorn has to do all over again ! This race will not be summarized with a banal victory in championship, I think!

Another car got a problem; the Cooper-Climax of Bruce McLaren lost 3 places after lefting the road. He is now in 19^th position.

We are now in the 20^th lap and standings are:

1. Stirling Moss...............Vanwall
2. Phil Hill........................Ferrari
3. Tony Brooks...............Vanwall
4. Mike Hawthorn............Ferrari
5. Jo Bonnier....................BRM
6. Olivier Gendebien.........Ferrari
7. Jean Behra....................Maserati
8. Stuart Lewis-Evans.......Vanwall
9. Harry Schell..................BRM
10. Masten Gregory..........Maserati
11. Roy Salvadori.............Cooper-Climax
12. Cliff Alisson.................Lotus
13. John Fairman...............Cooper-Climax
14. Hans Herrmann.............Maserati
15. Jack Brabham..............Cooper-Climax
16. Bruce McLaren............Cooper-Climax
17. François Picard............Cooper-Climax
18. Tommy Bridger............Cooper-Climax
19. Andre Guelfi.................Cooper-Climax
20. Robert La Caze............Cooper-Climax
21. Graham Hill...................Lotus

As you can see, situation is not very helpful for the two teams who are disputing the title. Nevertheless, for Vanwall, “the ball is in their camp. If positions remain thus fixed, Moss win the race. But there is nothing less sure, because at the moment Tony Brooks is under pressure with Mike Hawthorn.
If Brooks fails, Lewis-Evans must give his support, but he is only in 8^th position!
Brooks must hold!

But I have just given you the classification to the 20^th lap, which it changes already. Indeed, Bruce McLaren was surprised and left the track, three competitors pass him.

Stirling Moss has just beaten the lap record, coveted so much, in this 21^st lap! He has just turned in 2'22''5 at the average speed of 119.35 mph . That brings back a point to him for the moment…

Other position changes: Jack Fairman and Masten Gregory have, both gained a place in this 22^nd lap.

Masten Gregory :

We are now at the 26^th lap and a fourth abandonment is announced! Jean Behra broke the engine of his BRM.
But in the same lap Tony Brooks was join up and passed by Mike Hawthorn, they are now side by side. None of both must yield.
What will hapen according to you?
- Given the circumstances, a pilot will neutralize the other, because it would be the only way of being able to be really disencumbered of him.
- But, what do you mean by neutralizing? You do not think to a road left voluntarily caused by one of the two pilots?
- No, of course! I understand by there, that the only means would be to put the adversary under pressure…Or, by attack, the engine would break.
- And you think this second proposal is probable?
- Yes! Because Ferrari starts with a real advantage, the 246 Dino is much more reliable than the Vanwall VW.
- Well, we will see it thereafter!

The fight continues between the two rivals and… Oh No!!! A disaster for the Vanwall team! The car of Tony Brooks did not hold! The engine released during this unrestrained brawl which will have lasted only 4 laps!
All the pressure thus rests on other Vanwall driven by Lewis-Evans in 7^th position, able to give his support for Stirling Moss which is always good first.
35 laps are remaining and nothing is played!

Tony brooks breaking :

This incident lets a free track to Mike Hawthorn! If he preserves his position he is champion!

Mike Hawthorn :

Ladies and gentlemen, one announces me a large pile-up between three cars on the southern part of the circuit! Undoubtedly the most dangerous part of the circuit!
Olivier Gendebien, Tommy Bridger and François Picard would belong to the accident.
From the stands, where I am, one can see a cloud of smoke. I will wait until one gives me more indications in order to clarify this accident.
These successive incidents thus reduce the number of the cars of the two rival teams. There are only two Ferrari and two Vanwall. Mike Hawthorn and Phil Hill at Ferrari, StirlingMoss and Stuart Lewis-Evans at Vanwall.
Some information on the accident which has just proceeded! Then, what hapens?
- And well, there was a serious accident between these three cars driven by Gendebien, Bridger and Picard. Indeed, the three cars mainly burned! Olivier Gendebien and Tommy Bridger are uninjured whereas François Picard has been immediately transferred to the Casablanca hospital. He has a rather significant number of wounds.
- Is his state engraves?
- Rather, yes! But I do not think that it is really critical.
- We hope for him…

The Olivier Gendebien's Ferrari burnt to ashes :

Following these incidents, Stuart Lewis-Evans could undertake his increase by gaining two positions. He is now 5^th behind – in order - Jo Bonnier, Mike Hawthorn, Phil Hill et Stirling Moss.

Stuart Lewis-Evans is undertaking his rising :

Mike Hawthorn having made the junction with its fellow-member Phil Hill, last lets him voluntarily pass to implement the strategy of the Ferrari team.

Mike Hawthorn and Phil Hill :

Hans Hermann has just doubled the Lotus of Cliff Allisson, and finds himself in 10^th place.

CATASTROPHE! Stuart Lewis-Evans, while attacking, comes to make a terrible swerve! His car flipped over several in Azzemour corner! His car takes fire! He frees oneself and started to run in all directions with his ignited combination! Les commissaires de piste lui courent après, Officials are running after him, extinguishers in the hand, but they cannot reach Stuart! He breaks down, and then gets splashed.
I think his state is critical! One immediately transferred him to the pits infirmary! I hope for him it is not too serious !

The sick bay of the paddock :

This incident now reduces to nothing the chances of Stirling Moss for the title of world champion. He is private support of its fellow-members facing both Ferrari behind him. Unless Jo Bonnier goes up in the 2^nd place, but I think it is improbable.

13 laps to go only.

After an ultimate attack, Robert Caze finally passes André Guelfi. And you will know that both are from Casablanca .

André Guelfi drive his Cooper :

And the race is finished! Mike Hawthorn crosses the finishing line 1'24''8 behind Stirling Moss, Phil Hill is just 0.8" behind Hawthorn.

Results are clear: Vanwall and Hawthorn are 1958 World Champion!"

Classement à la fin de la course :

1. Stirling Moss en 2h09'15''0 (187,033km/h average speed)......Vanwall VW

2. Mike Hawthorn to 1'24''8......................................................Ferrari 246 Dino

3. Phil Hill to 1'25''6...................................................................Ferrari 246 Dino

4. Joakim Bonnier to 1'46''8................................................................BRM P25

5. Harry Schell to 2'33''8.....................................................................BRM P25

6. Masten Gregory to 1 turn........................................................Maserati 250F

7. Roy Salvadori to 2 turns...........................................................Cooper-Climax

8. Jack Fairman to 3 turns............................................................Cooper-Climax

9. Hans Herrmann to 3 turns.........................................................Maserati 250F

10. Cliff Allison to 4 turns............................................................Lotus-Climax 16

11. Jack Brabham to 4 turns..........................................................Cooper-Climax

Did not class :

Gerino Gerini to 5 turns --------------- Maserati 250F
Bruce McLaren to 5 turns ------------ Cooper-Climax
Robert La Caze to 5 turns ------------ Cooper-Climax
André Guelfi to 5 turns ---------------- Cooper-Climax
Graham Hill to 8 turns ----------------- Lotus-Climax 16

Did not Finish :

Stuart Lewis-Evans (crash, 42th turn) -------- Vanwall VW 04
Tony Brooks (engine, 31th turn) --------------- Vanwall VW 10
François Picard (crash, 29th turn) ------------- Cooper-Cliamx
Olivier Gendebien (crash, 29th turn) --------- Ferrari 246 Dino
Tommy Bridger (crash, 29th turn) ------------ Cooper-Climax
Jean Behra (engine, 27th turn) ---------------- BRM 25
Wolfgang Seidel (crash, 16th turn) ------------ Maserati 250F
Ron Flockart (engine, 16th turn) --------------- BRM 25
Maurice Trintignant (engine, 10th turn) ----- Cooper-Climax

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Tommy Bridger and Gerino Gerini at the turn of azzemour :