The Extraordinary Formula 1 Career of Hans Heyer

Posted by Kevin Guthrie Mar 4, 2009

The name of Hans Heyer popped up in a recent conversation I had. Despite an illustrious racing career, including multiple touring car titles, the likeable German will always be best remembered for a race which he failed to qualify for.

An almost complete lack of single-seater experience was of little concern to Heyer, who landed a drive with the ATS team for his home Grand Prix at Hockenheim in 1977. Qualifying did not go well, with Heyer failing to make the grid.

Despite only being third reserve driver Heyer had no intention of missing the chance to compete in a Formula 1 race. As the other cars blasted away at the start he sneaked out from the pit-lane and joined the field. Whether no-one noticed or whether Heyer's countrymen in charge of proceedings turned a blind eye is open to speculation. Whatever, for several laps Heyer circulated happily in his yellow Penske before a gear linkage broke.

Heyer's extraordinary Hockenheim appearance was his one and only taste of Formula 1. He went on to race successfully for many more seasons, seldom seen in the paddock without his trademark Tyrolean hat. I remember being amused by the Hockenheim tale as a kid and by Heyer's sheer audaciousness. As an adult I'm certain Formula 1 will never see a debut like it again.