1966 F1 World Championship

The 1966 FIA Formula One World Championship began on 22 May and concluded on 23 October, over 9 Grand Prix, alongside four non-championship races open to Formula One cars.

Season

The World Drivers’ Championship was won by Jack Brabham, driving a Brabham, who secured the third and final title of his career. Brabham’s victory was historically significant in several ways. It marked his first championship since 1960, creating a six-year gap between titles, which at the time set a record for the longest interval between championship wins—a record that would later be surpassed by Niki Lauda in 1984. Even more remarkably, Brabham became, and remains as of 2026, the only driver in F1 history to win the World Championship in a car of his own construction bearing his own name.

Brabham’s success extended beyond the Drivers’ Championship. His team also secured the International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers, delivering Brabham’s first Constructors’ title and completing a unique double achievement for the driver-owner.

The 1966 season was also notable for a major change in the technical regulations. The FIA introduced new engine rules, doubling the maximum engine capacity from 1.5 litres to 3.0 litres, a shift often referred to as the “return to power.” This regulation change significantly altered the competitive landscape, requiring teams to adapt quickly to the new era of more powerful engines.

Tragically, the season was marked by the death of John Taylor, who was involved in a collision with Formula Two driver Jacky Ickx during the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. Taylor suffered severe burns in the accident and, despite medical treatment, died from his injuries four weeks later, adding to the long list of dangers faced by drivers during this period of the sport.

1966 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Round	Grand Prix	Circuit	Date
1	1966 Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo	22 May
2	1966 Belgian Grand Prix	Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot	12 June
3	1966 French Grand Prix	Reims-Gueux, Gueux	3 July
4	1966 British Grand Prix	Brands Hatch, West Kingsdown	16 July
5	1966 Dutch Grand Prix	Circuit Park Zandvoort, Zandvoort	24 July
6	1966 German Grand Prix	Nürburgring, Nürburg	7 August
7	1966 Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza	4 September
8	1966 United States Grand Prix	Watkins Glen International, New York	2 October
9	1966 Mexican Grand Prix	Magdalena Mixhuca, Mexico City	23 October

1966 Formula 1 Race Results

Grands Prix

Round	Grand Prix	Pole position	Fastest lap	Winning driver	Winning constructor	Tyre	Report
1	1966 Monaco Grand Prix	Jim Clark	Lorenzo Bandini	Jackie Stewart	BRM	D	Report
2	1966 Belgian Grand Prix	John Surtees	John Surtees	John Surtees	Ferrari	D	Report
3	1966 French Grand Prix	Lorenzo Bandini	Lorenzo Bandini	Jack Brabham	Brabham-Repco	G	Report
4	1966 British Grand Prix	Jack Brabham	Jack Brabham	Jack Brabham	Brabham-Repco	G	Report
5	1966 Dutch Grand Prix	Jack Brabham	Denny Hulme	Jack Brabham	Brabham-Repco	G	Report
6	1966 German Grand Prix	Jim Clark	John Surtees	Jack Brabham	Brabham-Repco	G	Report
7	1966 Italian Grand Prix	Mike Parkes	Ludovico Scarfiotti	Ludovico Scarfiotti	Ferrari	F	Report
8	1966 United States Grand Prix	Jack Brabham	John Surtees	Jim Clark	Lotus-BRM	F	Report
9	1966 Mexican Grand Prix	John Surtees	Richie Ginther	John Surtees	Cooper-Maserati	D	Report

1966 Formula 1 Standings

Driver standings

Team standings