1966 Formula One season

The 1966 Formula One season was the 17th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1966 World Championship of Drivers and the 1966 International Cup for F1 Manufacturers which were contested concurrently over a nine race series that commenced on May 22 and ended on October 23. The season also included a number of non-championship races for Formula One cars.

Season summary
The season was the first of the '3 litre formula', which saw maximum engine capacity doubled from the previous season. British constructors were forced to look elsewhere after Climax's withdrawal from racing. Ferrari appeared to be as well prepared as in 1961, but John Surtees left the team after a dispute at Le Mans, joining Cooper. Jack Brabham took his third championship, this time in a car of his own manufacture. Bruce McLaren and Dan Gurney emulated Brabham by building their own cars, though with little initial success. BRM and Lotus used 2 litre engines for much of the season. BRM's new H16 engine was largely unsuccessful, though Jim Clark used one in his Lotus to win the US Grand Prix. Under new regulations, cars completing less than 90% of the race distance were not classified and did not receive points, even if they finished in the top six.

Teams and drivers
The following teams and drivers competed in the 1966 FIA World Championship.


 * Pink background denotes F2 entrants to the German Grand Prix

1966 World Championship of Drivers – final standings
Points towards the 1966 World Championship of Drivers were awarded on a 9–6–4–3–2–1 basis for the first six places at each race. Only the best five race results could be retained by each driver.

1966 International Cup for F1 Manufacturers – final standings
Points were awarded on a 9–6–4–3–2–1 basis at each round with only the best five round results retained. Only the best placed car from each manufacturer at each round was eligible to score points.


 * Bold results counted to championship totals.

Non-Championship race results
Other Formula One races held in 1966, which did not count towards the World Championship.

Grand Prix – the movie of the 1966 Formula One season
The film Grand Prix is a fictionalized version of the 1966 season, which includes footage of the actual races edited together with footage of actors.