STORY OF THE DAY: Bell’s Ferrari debut lasts only four laps

Derek Bell made his Formula One World Championship debut for Ferrari at the 1968 Italian Grand Prix, driving number 7 at Monza. His race ended after four laps because of a fuel-injection problem. Denny Hulme won for McLaren, while Jacky Ickx salvaged third place for Ferrari after making a late fuel stop.

Bell entered Formula One amid one of Monza’s characteristic slipstreaming contests, but his mechanical failure prevented him from joining the leading groups. The race subsequently changed when Chris Amon crashed after encountering oil at Lesmo and John Surtees was also eliminated. Bell’s brief appearance therefore became a difficult introduction to Grand Prix racing on one of its fastest circuits.

The Ferrari 312 F1-68 used a three-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine and a progressively lightened chassis. Its fuel-injection system was essential to delivering the V12’s power accurately across the engine-speed range, making Bell’s failure terminal. Although fast enough to qualify competitively, the model’s season was repeatedly weakened by reliability problems.

Derek Bell was an English driver whose performances in Formula Two attracted Enzo Ferrari’s attention. His Formula One career included appearances for Ferrari and several British teams, but his lasting distinction came in endurance racing. Five victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and three at the 24 Hours of Daytona made him one of the leading sports-car drivers of his era.