1963 Austrian Grand Prix 1963 Austrian Grand Prix The 1st Austrian Grand Prix was a motor race, run to Formula One rules, held on 1 September 1963 at the Zeltweg Airfield. The race was run over 80 laps of the circuit, and was won by Australian driver Jack Brabham in a Brabham BT3, finishing a massive five laps ahead of the next finisher. Many competitors retired after the rough surface of the track caused mechanical failures. This race marked the Formula One debut of 1970 World Champion Jochen Rindt, and also the only Formula One appearance of his compatriot Kurt Bardi-Barry, who was killed
Brabham BT19 in a 3-litre works Ferrari. The 1966 world championship season opened with the Monaco Grand Prix. Brabham was affected by a cold, and qualified poorly before retiring when the BT19's gearbox failed. Surtees led the race in his Ferrari before his differential failed on lap 15; the race was won by Jackie Stewart in a 2-litre BRM P261. At the following Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa circuit, Brabham survived an enormous 135 miles per hour (215 km/h) slide in the rain on the first lap. The shower eliminated half the field, including Stewart, who would miss the next race