Swiss driver Silvio Moser was just one of a number of competitors who occasionally entered grand prix races during the 1960s, only to fail to make the grade for whatever reason. Silvio entered a total of 13 Formula 1 races between 1966 and 1970, often driving his Formula 2 car which was permitted at the time in order to fill the grid.
A fifth place was his best result but he was notably more successful in Formula 2 and 3 cars, often driving the same car but with a different engine. The photograph shows him driving his Jolly Club-entered Formula 2 Brabham BT30 at the tree-lined circuit that wound through the park of Crystal Palace, May 31st 1971, where he was competing against many of the best drivers of the era. With over 40 entries, the race required two heats to decide the final grid of 16 cars; Silvio won his heat just ahead of Jean-Pierre Jarier. However, the final comprised of drivers such as Emerson Fittipaldi and Ronnie Peterson and Silvio came home seventh overall, last of the finishers.
From the book ‘Moments in Motorsport’ by Trevor Legate
