1955 Grand Prix de Rouen-les-Essarts

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Flag of France svg.png 1955 Grand Prix de Rouen-les-Essarts
Race NC of 7 in the 1955 Alternate Formula One season
Rouen55.png
Date April 9, 1955
Official Name V Grand Prix de Rouen-les-Essarts
Location Rouen-Les-Essarts, Grand-Couronne, France
Course Permanent racing facility
6.542 km (4.065 mi)
Distance 30 laps
196.26 km (121.95 mi)
Weather Sunny
Pole Position
Driver Flag of Australia svg.png Jack Brabham Alfa Romeo
Time 2:45.29
Fastest Lap
Driver Flag of Australia svg.png Jack Brabham Alfa Romeo
Time 2:47.51
Podium
First Flag of Australia svg.png Jack Brabham Alfa Romeo
Second Flag of the Dominican Republic svg.png Porfirio Rubirosa Gordini
Third Flag of Australia svg.png Stan Jones Alfa Romeo-Balkan Lion


The 1955 Grand Prix de Rouen-les-Essarts was a non-championship Formula One race held at Rouen-les-Essarts on 9 April 1955. Ran concurrently with the 1955 Singapore Grand Prix, the race was the scene of the first F1 appearances by the B.C.M.A. and Irish Racing Cars teams, as well as drivers Tony Brooks and Desmond Titterington, who would become two of the championship's most celebrated and tragic figures. The weekend was dominated by eventual three-time world champion Jack Brabham in his first race for Alfa Romeo.

Race report

Brabham got the best getaway and led the first lap from Farina and Macklin, while further back, André Simon stalled on the grid with a burnt-out clutch. Stan Jones quickly fell down the order as Manzon rose through it, while qualifying surprise Ottorino Volonterio retired on the second lap with a blown gearbox. Manzon's promising start, however, was quickly ended when André Pilette rather optimistically tried to pass him at Sanson. The Belgian tappde his rear wheel, sending the Frenchman spinning into the trackside ditch, almost taking Tony Gaze with him.

On lap 5, Farina caught and passed Brabham for the lead. Brown almost crashed into Titterington too, but both continued after the slight touch. Tony Gaze's engine promptly expired, reducing the field to 16. Brabham took the lead again on lap 8, setting the fastest lap in the process. Brooks simultaneously retired from a promising 8th place with an oil leak. Behind the dominant Alfa Romeos, Lance Macklin's brilliant run in third place was ended on lap 13 when Rubirosa finally passed him, closely followed by André Pilette. Halfway through the 30-lap race, Brabham led from Farina, who almost crashed into his teammate, Rubirosa, Pilette, Macklin, Jones, de Filippis, Marzotto, Gordini, de Graffenried, Brown, Behra, de Portago, Titterington and Rosier.

Shortly thereafter, Pilette span out on oil or possibly karma. His race was over a few laps after ending Manzon's. Just behind him, Jones took the opportunity to pass Macklin for what was now fourth place. But then, on lap 20, the race changed as Farina, trying to find a way past Brabham, span off at la Scierie, striking the earthbank and ending his race. He had been seemingly trying too hard this race to assert dominance over the Australian, who himself appeared to be effortlessly maintaining his lead. Could this be the turning point in the Italian champion's career?

On lap 23, a very surreal sight was observed as Lance Macklin and Maria Teresa de Filippis, both fighting for fourth place, saw their engines catch fire within seconds of each other. They both got out of their cars and looked at the other, more confused than anything. This left Brabham to lead from Rubirosa, the unexpected Stan Jones in the Balkan Leader, Marzotto, de Portago and Gordini. These last two would fight over fifth place with Toulo de Graffenried and Desmond Titterington.

But on this day, no one could stop the dominant Jack Brabham, winning by a long, long way over Porfirio Rubirosa in his first drive for Gordini. The ecstatic Stan Jones finished third. Marzotto was fourth, a bit closer behind. For fifth, Alfonso de Portago's Loyer won the battle for fifth place ahead of Aldo Gordini for ARE, Titterington for IRA and de Graffenried for Voeckler.

Classification

Entry list

No Driver Entrant Chassis Engine
2 Flag of France svg.png André Simon Flag of France svg.png Écurie Voeckler Alfa Romeo AR161 Jaguar JFE-2 4.5 V12
4 Flag of Switzerland svg.png Toulo de Graffenried Flag of France svg.png Écurie Voeckler Alfa Romeo AR161 Jaguar JFE-2 4.5 V12
6 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Desmond Titterington Flag of Ireland svg.png Irish Racing Cars Lancia D50 Lancia DS50 2.5 V8
8 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Lance Macklin Flag of Ireland svg.png Reatherson Racing Developments Bentley Speed 4 Ferrari 555 2.5 L4
10 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Alan Brown Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Vanwall Vanwall VW55 Vanwall 254 2.5 L4
12 Flag of Brazil svg.png Chico Landi Flag of Italy svg.png Officine Alfieri Maserati Maserati AM53 Maserati 200F 2.0 L6
14 Flag of France svg.png Robert Manzon Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png/Flag of France svg.png Alexander Racing Team-Gordini Gordini G-953 Gordini ART-004 3.0 V6
16 Flag of the Dominican Republic svg.png Porfirio Rubirosa Gordini G-953 Gordini ART-004 3.0 V6
18 Flag of France svg.png Aldo Gordini Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Anglo Racing Engineering Gordini G-953 Gordini ART-004 3.0 V6
20 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Mike Oliver Maserati AM53 O.S.C.A. 3000V8 3.0 V8
22 Flag of France svg.png Jacques Pollet Flag of France svg.png Guidobaldi Guidobaldi FG01 Mercedes UM153 4.5 V10
24 Flag of Italy svg.png Giannino Marzotto Flag of Italy svg.png Maria Teresa de Filippis O.S.C.A. F154 O.S.C.A. 156s 1.5 L6s
26 Flag of Italy svg.png Maria Teresa de Filippis Flag of Italy svg.png/Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Scuderia Anglo-Italia O.S.C.A. F154 Bentley 16VL-1 3.0 V16
28 Flag of Belgium svg.png André Pilette Flag of Belgium svg.png Ecurie Nationale Belge Bentley Speed 4 Bentley 16VL-1 3.0 V16
30 Flag of Belgium svg.png Paul Frère Cooper T40 Jaguar JFE-2 4.5 V12
32 Flag of Spain svg.png Alfonso de Portago Flag of Austria svg.png Loyer Racing Loyer LR101 Porsche 755 1.5 L4
34 Flag of France svg.png Jean Behra Flag of Germany svg.png Porsche System Engineering Porsche 855 Porsche 755 1.5 L4
36 Flag of Morocco svg.png Robert la Caze Flag of Morocco svg.png Écurie Maghreb Lancia D50 Lancia DS50 2.5 V8
38 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Tony Brooks Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png British Commonwealth Motorsport Association B.C.M.A. C-01 B.C.M.A. A/AS Griffin 2.5 L6
40 Flag of Australia svg.png Jack Brabham Flag of Italy svg.png Alfa Romeo SpA Alfa Romeo AR161 Alfa Romeo AR2V8 1.5 V8
42 Flag of Italy svg.png Giuseppe Farina Alfa Romeo AR161 Alfa Romeo AR2V8 1.5 V8
44 Flag of Australia svg.png Tony Gaze Alfa Romeo AR160 Alfa Romeo ARV8 1.5 V8
46 Flag of Australia svg.png Stan Jones Flag of Bulgaria (1948-1967) svg.png/Flag of China svg.png Balkan Leader Alfa Romeo AR161 Balkan Lion F154 1.5 L4
48 Flag of Australia svg.png Doug Whiteford Flag of Australia svg.png Doug Whiteford HWM 55 Alta GP 2.5 L4
50 Flag of Monaco svg.png Louis Chiron Flag of Monaco svg.png Louis Chiron HWM 55 Alta GP 2.5 L4
52 Flag of France svg.png Pierre Levegh Flag of France svg.png Pierre Levegh HWM 55 Alta GP 2.5 L4
54 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Tom Kyffin Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Tom Kyffin HWM 55 Alta GP 2.5 L4
56 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Gordon Rolls Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Gordon Rolls HWM 55 Alta GP 2.5 L4
58 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Anne Hall Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png BRUNEL Bentley Speed 3 Bentley 163-1 3.0 V16
60 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Don Beauman Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Don Beauman HWM 55 Alta GP 2.5 L4
62 Flag of France svg.png Eugène Martin Flag of France svg.png Eugène Martin HWM 55 Alta GP 2.5 L4
64 Flag of Switzerland svg.png Ottorino Volonterio Flag of Switzerland svg.png Ottorino Volonterio HWM 55 Alta GP 2.5 L4
66 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Horace Gould Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Horace Gould HWM 55 Alta GP 2.5 L4
68 Flag of France svg.png Chantrel Flag of France svg.png Chantrel HWM 55 Alta GP 2.5 L4
70 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Paul Emery Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Paul Emery HWM 55 Alta GP 2.5 L4
72 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Tony Rolt Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Tony Rolt HWM 55 Alta GP 2.5 L4
74 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Jack Fairman Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Jack Fairman HWM 55 Alta GP 2.5 L4
76 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Cliff Allison Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Cliff Allison HWM 55 Alta GP 2.5 L4
78 Flag of France svg.png Louis Rosier Flag of France svg.png Louis & Jean-Louis Rosier HWM 55 Alta GP 2.5 L4
80 Flag of France svg.png Jean-Louis Rosier HWM 55 Alta GP 2.5 L4

Qualifying

Pos No Driver Constructor Time Gap
1 40 Flag of Australia svg.png Jack Brabham Alfa Romeo 2:45.29 -
2 42 Flag of Italy svg.png Giuseppe Farina Alfa Romeo 2:48.35 + 3.06
3 8 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Lance Macklin Bentley-Ferrari 2:49.67 + 4.38
4 16 Flag of the Dominican Republic svg.png Porfirio Rubirosa Gordini 2:49.77 + 4.48
5 46 Flag of Australia svg.png Stan Jones Alfa Romeo-Balkan Lion 2:50.69 + 5.40
6 44 Flag of Australia svg.png Tony Gaze Alfa Romeo 2:50.81 + 5.52
7 14 Flag of France svg.png Robert Manzon Gordini 2:51.65 + 6.36
8 28 Flag of Belgium svg.png André Pilette Bentley 2:51.72 + 6.43
9 26 Flag of Italy svg.png Maria Teresa de Filippis O.S.C.A.-Bentley 2:52.58 + 7.29
10 24 Flag of Italy svg.png Giannino Marzotto O.S.C.A. 2:53.41 + 8.12
11 2 Flag of France svg.png André Simon Alfa Romeo-Jaguar 2:54.74 + 9.45
12 6 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Desmond Titterington Lancia 2:55.36 + 10.07
13 38 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Tony Brooks B.C.M.A. 2:55.52 + 10.23
14 4 Flag of Switzerland svg.png Toulo de Graffenried Alfa Romeo-Jaguar 2:56.02 + 10.73
15 10 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Alan Brown Vanwall 2:56.88 + 11.59
16 32 Flag of Spain svg.png Alfonso de Portago Loyer-Porsche 2:56.89 + 11.60
17 18 Flag of France svg.png Aldo Gordini Gordini 2:57.89 + 12.60
18 34 Flag of France svg.png Jean Behra Porsche 2:57.92 + 12.63
19 64 Flag of Switzerland svg.png Ottorino Volonterio HWM-Alta 2:58.05 + 12.76
20 80 Flag of France svg.png Jean-Louis Rosier HWM-Alta 2:58.66 + 13.37
21 48 Flag of Australia svg.png Doug Whiteford HWM-Alta 2:58.83 + 13.54
22 76 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Cliff Allison HWM-Alta 2:58.99 + 13.70
23 78 Flag of France svg.png Louis Rosier HWM-Alta 2:59.00 + 13.71
24 36 Flag of Morocco svg.png Robert la Caze Lancia 2:59.16 + 13.87
25 72 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Tony Rolt HWM-Alta 2:59.17 + 13.88
26 58 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Anne Hall Bentley 2:59.31 + 14.02
27 70 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Paul Emery HWM-Alta 2:59.82 + 14.53
28 50 Flag of Monaco svg.png Louis Chiron HWM-Alta 2:59.90 + 14.61
29 12 Flag of Brazil svg.png Chico Landi Maserati 3:00.40 + 15.11
30 56 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Gordon Rolls HWM-Alta 3:00.65 + 15.36
31 68 Flag of France svg.png Chantrel HWM-Alta 3:00.66 + 15.37
32 74 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Jack Fairman HWM-Alta 3:00.67 + 15.38
33 62 Flag of France svg.png Eugène Martin HWM-Alta 3:00.98 + 15.69
34 66 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Horace Gould HWM-Alta 3:00.99 + 15.70
35 52 Flag of France svg.png Pierre Levegh HWM-Alta 3:01.64 + 16.35
36 60 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Don Beauman HWM-Alta 3:01.65 + 16.36
37 54 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Tom Kyffin HWM-Alta 3:01.80 + 16.51
38 20 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Mike Oliver Maserati-O.S.C.A. 3:01.85 + 16.56
39 30 Flag of Belgium svg.png Paul Frère Cooper-Jaguar 3:02.41 + 17.12
40 22 Flag of France svg.png Jacques Pollet Guidobaldi-Mercedes 3:02.46 + 17.17

Race

Pos No Driver Team Laps Time/Retired Grid
1 40 Flag of Australia svg.png Jack Brabham Alfa Romeo 30 1:27:41.70 1
2 16 Flag of the Dominican Republic svg.png Porfirio Rubirosa Gordini 30 +2:26.28 4
3 46 Flag of Australia svg.png Stan Jones Alfa Romeo-Balkan Lion 29 +1 lap 5
4 24 Flag of Italy svg.png Giannino Marzotto O.S.C.A. 29 +1 lap 10
5 32 Flag of Spain svg.png Alfonso de Portago Loyer-Porsche 27 +3 laps 16
6 18 Flag of France svg.png Aldo Gordini Gordini 27 +3 laps 17
7 6 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Desmond Titterington Lancia 27 +3 laps 12
8 4 Flag of Switzerland svg.png Toulo de Graffenried Alfa Romeo-Jaguar 27 +3 laps 14
9 34 Flag of France svg.png Jean Behra Porsche 27 +3 laps 18
10 10 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Alan Brown Vanwall 27 +3 laps 15
11 80 Flag of France svg.png Jean-Louis Rosier HWM-Alta 27 +3 laps 20
Ret 8 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Lance Macklin Bentley-Ferrari 22 Engine 3
Ret 26 Flag of Italy svg.png Maria Teresa de Filippis O.S.C.A.-Bentley 22 Engine 9
Ret 42 Flag of Italy svg.png Giuseppe Farina Alfa Romeo 19 Accident 2
Ret 28 Flag of Belgium svg.png André Pilette Bentley 15 Spin 8
Ret 38 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Tony Brooks B.C.M.A. 7 Oil leak 13
Ret 44 Flag of Australia svg.png Tony Gaze Alfa Romeo 6 Engine 6
Ret 14 Flag of France svg.png Robert Manzon Gordini 2 Collision 7
Ret 64 Flag of Switzerland svg.png Ottorino Volonterio HWM-Alta 1 Gearbox 19
Ret 2 Flag of France svg.png André Simon Alfa Romeo-Jaguar 0 Clutch 2
DNQ 48 Flag of Australia svg.png Doug Whiteford HWM-Alta
DNQ 76 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Cliff Allison HWM-Alta
DNQ 78 Flag of France svg.png Louis Rosier HWM-Alta
DNQ 36 Flag of Morocco svg.png Robert la Caze Lancia
DNQ 72 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Tony Rolt HWM-Alta
DNQ 58 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Anne Hall Bentley
DNQ 70 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Paul Emery HWM-Alta
DNQ 50 Flag of Monaco svg.png Louis Chiron HWM-Alta
DNQ 12 Flag of Brazil svg.png Chico Landi Maserati
DNQ 56 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Gordon Rolls HWM-Alta
DNQ 68 Flag of France svg.png Chantrel HWM-Alta
DNQ 74 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Jack Fairman HWM-Alta
DNQ 62 Flag of France svg.png Eugène Martin HWM-Alta
DNQ 66 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Horace Gould HWM-Alta
DNQ 52 Flag of France svg.png Pierre Levegh HWM-Alta
DNQ 60 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Don Beauman HWM-Alta
DNQ 54 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Tom Kyffin HWM-Alta
DNQ 20 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Mike Oliver Maserati-O.S.C.A.
DNQ 30 Flag of Belgium svg.png Paul Frère Cooper-Jaguar
DNQ 22 Flag of France svg.png Jacques Pollet Guidobaldi-Mercedes