1937 Masaryk Grand Prix

The 1937 Masaryk Grand Prix was a 750 kg Formula race held on 26 September 1937 at the Masaryk Circuit.

1937 Masaryk Grand Prix
Race details
Date 26 September 1937
Official name VII Masarykuv Okruh
Location Masaryk Circuit, Brno
Course Permanent racing facility
Course length 29.140 km (18.107 miles)
Distance 15 laps, 437.1 km (271.6 miles)
Pole position
Driver Alfa Romeo
Grid positions set by ballot
Fastest lap
Driver Germany Rudolf Caracciola Mercedes-Benz
Time 11:59.3
Podium
First Mercedes-Benz
Second Mercedes-Benz
Third Auto Union
All layouts of the Masaryk Circuit (Brno Circuit) between 1930 and today combined

Race report

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Rudolf Hasse and Achille Varzi did not race due to illness. Rosemeyer took the Auto Union into an early lead and von Brauchitsch couldn't match his skill on the gravel surface as he pulled away from the field. On lap five Lang lost control of his Mercedes and left the road and ploughed into some bystanders, killing two and injuring twelve. Unable to catch Rosemeyer von Brauchitsch let Caracciola past and the latter began catching the young Auto Union driver. In the end though it was unnecessary to pass him, Rosemeyer's brakes gave out and his race was over...or maybe not.

Müller had been in second place, but couldn't keep the Mercedes' behind and both Seaman and von Brauchitsch caught and passed him and he dropped to fourth. Back in the pits Rosemeyer took over Müller's car and immediately set about catching the now cruising Mercedes' drivers. Seaman was 48s ahead at the beginning of the final 29 km lap, Rosemeyer finished the lap 37s ahead of him! Von Brauchitsch was only another 5s ahead when they took the flag and Rosemeyer had an incredible 3rd place whilst Caracciola had the win.

Classification

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Pos No Driver Team Laps Time/Retired Grid Points
1 2   Rudolf Caracciola Mercedes-Benz 15 3:09:25.3 8
2 4   Manfred von Brauchitsch Mercedes-Benz 15 + 36.4 5
3 12   Hermann Paul Müller/Bernd Rosemeyer Auto Union 15 + 41.1 6
4 6   Richard Seaman Mercedes-Benz 15 + 1'18.5 7
5 18   Tazio Nuvolari Alfa Romeo 14 + 1 lap 1
6 20   Antonio Brivio Alfa Romeo 14 + 1 lap 4
7  –   László Hartmann Maserati 13 + 2 laps 9
8  –   Erno Festetics Maserati 12 + 3 laps 10
DNF  –   Paul Pietsch Maserati  – Crash 12
DNF  –   Luigi Soffietti Maserati  –  – 13
DNF 10   Bernd Rosemeyer Auto Union 8 Brakes 3
DNF 8   Hermann Lang Mercedes-Benz 5 Crash 2
DNF 28   Renato Balestrero Alfa Romeo  –  – 11


Grand Prix Race
1937 Grand Prix season
Previous race:
1935 Masaryk Grand Prix
Czechoslovakian Grand Prix Next race:
1949 Czechoslovakian Grand Prix

References

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