6 replies to this topic

[RedFever]

The fastest time in a Formula 1 car was set in 1975 by Niki Lauda driving a Ferrari. The time was set during Saturday qualifying before the German Grand Prix, and was the first ever lap below seven minutes - 6:58.6.
In his book 'To Hell and Back' Lauda wrote - 'This came during Saturday qualifying and was possible only because I was in a special sort of mood that day and ready to go for broke to an extent I have never permitted myself since. As I flashed past the pits I glanced in my rear-view mirror and saw the mechanics waving their hands in the air. I knew then that I had cracked the seven-minute barrier.'

The official record however (times have to be set during race) stands to Clay Regazzoni at 7:06.4, set on the day after Lauda's time.


Just to give an idea of the history of times at the legendary circuit:

Year Time Comment
1927 15:51.6 Christian Werner
1931 11:48.0 Achille Varzi
1932 10:49.4 Tazio Nuvolari
1936 9:56.6 Bernd Rosemeyer
1939 9:52.2 Hermann Lang. Fastest time until 1956 !
1956 9:41.6 Juan Manuel Fangio
1957 9:17.4 Fangio, once more !
1958 9:09.2 Stirling Moss
1961 8:57.8 Phil Hill (did 8:55.2 in practice)
1969 7:43.8 Jacky Ickx
1975 7:06.4 Clay Regazzoni

[Ray Bell]

And what of Sports Car times? I'm sure I've seen a 6:50 mentioned somewhere in the last few days...

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Life and love are mixed with pain...

[Tarnik]

I was going to ask a question similar to Redfever's, but never got around to it. I know Clark posted an 8:04.x in '67, during practice I beleive.

[Ray Bell]

Wasn't there some stunning time in 1962 practice? Then it rained for the race. And 1964 I think there were some good times as well.

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Life and love are mixed with pain...

[Leif Snellman]

Niki Lauda in fact made an unofficial time of 6.58.2 at a test session back in July 1974.



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Leif Snellman
The Golden Era of Grand Prix Racing

[Michael M]

All time record holder is Stefan Bellof with a Porsche 956 with 6.11.13 ...

[This message has been edited by Michael M (edited 05-13-2000).]

[Ray Bell]

Now who didn't list Bellof in the Pantheon...?

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Life and love are mixed with pain...