Tom Bridger

Thomas "Tom" Bridger (24 June 1934 - 30 July 1991): British racing driver who competed in one Formula One World Championship Grand Prix, the 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix, where he was involved in a major crash with François Picard and Olivier Gendebien, though he achieved his greatest success in Formula Three with 15 race victories. Born in England, Bridger competed primarily in British national motorsport during the 1950s, focusing on Formula Three where he demonstrated considerable talent. His 15 Formula Three victories established him as one of the category's leading drivers during that period, suggesting he possessed genuine racecraft and speed. For the 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix at Ain-Diab on 19 October 1958, Bridger entered driving a British Racing Partnership Formula 2 Cooper-Climax T45.

The race was held at the end of the season and featured a mixed grid of Formula One and Formula Two entries, as was common in that era. Formula Two cars like Bridger's Cooper were significantly slower than purpose-built Formula One machinery but were eligible to compete and often added entries to races that might otherwise have suffered from small grids. During the race, on lap 29, Bridger became involved in a significant crash with François Picard and Olivier Gendebien. The accident was serious enough to eliminate all three drivers from the race and marked the end of Bridger's Formula One career.

The circumstances and exact causes of the crash remain documented in period race reports, though detailed analysis is limited. Bridger never scored championship points and never returned to Formula One after his single, crash-marred appearance. After his brief Formula One experience, Bridger continued competing in British national racing events through the early 1960s, though at a less intense level than during his Formula Three heyday. He eventually retired from active competition and stepped away from motorsport.

Bridger died on 30 July 1991 at age 57. He represents the numerous British drivers who achieved success in junior formulae, particularly Formula Three, and occasionally attempted Formula One races when opportunities arose but lacked the resources or luck to establish themselves at the highest level. His 15 Formula Three victories remain his most significant racing achievements, demonstrating consistent success in a competitive category. Known for: Winning 15 Formula Three races during the 1950s, competing in the 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix driving a Cooper-Climax T45 for British Racing Partnership, being involved in a major crash with François Picard and Olivier Gendebien on lap 29, and never returning to Formula One after his single Grand Prix appearance.