French Grand Prix 1959 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Tony Brooks delivered Ferrari's first victory of the season at the French Grand Prix, demonstrating that front-engine cars could still compete at power circuits despite Cooper's revolutionary rear-engine dominance. Brooks led home teammate Phil Hill in a Ferrari one-two finish at the ultra-fast Reims circuit, with Jack Brabham's Cooper finishing third. The victory provided Ferrari with hope that their traditional designs remained competitive.

Reims' long straights and fast corners suited Ferrari's powerful Dino 246 engine, allowing the Scuderia to exploit their horsepower advantage over the smaller Cooper-Climax units. Brooks' brilliant drive showcased his underrated talent, as the British driver combined speed with tactical intelligence to control the race. Hill's strong second place demonstrated Ferrari's depth, as the American driver emerged as a potential future champion.

Brabham's third place maintained his comfortable championship lead despite missing the podium's top two steps. The French Grand Prix demonstrated that while rear-engine cars dominated twisty circuits, traditional front-engine designs could still win at high-speed venues. However, Ferrari's victory would prove temporary, as the rear-engine revolution would prove unstoppable by season's end.