The Miami Grand Prix marks a first since… 1957!

Although Lando Norris won the Miami Grand Prix, he is not the driver to have scored the most points over the weekend. Indeed, the Briton scored 25 in the main race while Max Verstappen (thanks to his first place in Sprint on Saturday) took a total of 26 units. A rare occurrence to note, this is the first time since 1957 that the winner of the Grand Prix is ​​not the driver to have scored the most points over the weekend. So what happened 67 years ago?

On the occasion of the 61st Grand Prix in the history of Formula 1, on the Aintree circuit, in Great Britain, an abnormal event was going to occur. Indeed, it is not one but two drivers who will win the race. At the time, the Grands Prix were twice as long as today; approximately three hours per race. So, it was allowed for the pilots to take turns. However, this is not exactly what will happen on July 20, 1957.

Two drivers win at Aintree

Stirling Moss and Tonny Brooks are two British drivers who ride for the Vanwall team. During qualifying at Aintree, Moss took pole position while his teammate set the 3rd time. It is important to note that Brooks is making his return in the Vanwall VW5 during this Grand Prix as he suffered an accident at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a month earlier. The British driver was physically weakened and was unable to keep pace with the leaders during the race. For his part, Stirling Moss manages quietly; he is first with more than eight seconds ahead of Jean Behra's Maserati. However, its engine emits a particularly worrying noise.

The Vanwall VW5 at the British Grand Prix in 1957. ©CC

At the end of the 22nd lap the Briton stopped in the pits, his mechanics checked the alternator. He starts again in seventh position but only completes one loop before stopping again, the problem not being resolved. Vanwall will then achieve a real masterstroke.

In the pits, the team knows, Tonny Brooks is too weak, he will not go for victory. Neither does Stirling Moss since his reliability plays tricks on him. It is therefore decided that the two drivers will… swap cars! On the 27th lap, the pole sitter regained the car of his teammate (who is in perfect condition) and therefore launches into a crazy comeback, he accumulates more than a minute behind the Maserati in the lead.

Nice helping hand

With a car above the rest, Stirling Moss is by far the fastest on the track. Lap after lap, the Kensington native catches up. At the 35th loop, he has already moved up to 6th position, his pace is hellish; he is a second faster than the leaders. Unfortunately, victory seems unattainable on a regular basis. A wonderful twist of fate will then save Moss.

The clutch in Jean Behra's car failed, the Frenchman was forced to retire. Mike Hawthorn then took the lead, but the driver Classic Ferrari for sale will run over one of the debris of the Maserati which will puncture one of its tires. A royal road becomes available just in front of Stirling Moss for the last 20 laps of the Grand Prix. The Vanwall driver will calmly manage the end of the race and head towards victory.

Tony Brooks also winner

In the end, it was indeed the car of his teammate Tonny Brooks which crossed the finish line first. In 1957, several drivers were allowed to take turns at the wheel of the same car and score points, provided they had covered at least a third of the planned distance and this is what Brooks achieved at the start of the Grand Prize for completing 26 loops in the car that won the race. Thus, the eight victory points are then divided.

Luigi Musso, who came in second position, pocketed six points, making him the driver who scored the most points during the Grand Prix even though he did not win the race. Just like Max Verstappen ultimately, who, 67 years later, left Miami with more points than the winner. However, the circumstances are very different…

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