PaulHawkins

Paul Hawkins: The Rugged "Hawkeye" of Grand Prix and Sports Car Racing

Robert Paul Hawkins, born October 12, 1937, emerged from Australia to become a distinctive and highly regarded figure in international motor racing. The son of a racing motorcyclist turned church minister, Hawkins quickly earned the moniker "Hawkeye" and was celebrated for his colourful personality and equally vibrant vocabulary. While recognized as a capable single-seater driver, it was in the demanding arena of sports car racing, particularly at the wheel of Ford GT40s and Lola T70s, that Hawkins truly distinguished himself. His achievements were such that in 1969, the FIA included him in its exclusive list of graded drivers, an elite group of 27 individuals acknowledged as the world's best based on their accomplishments. Hawkins also holds a unique place in Formula 1 lore as one of only two drivers to famously crash into the Monaco harbour during a Grand Prix.

Early Career and Foundations in Motorsport

Hawkins' racing journey began in his native Australia in 1958, campaigning an Austin-Healey. His ambition soon led him to England in 1960, where he secured employment with the Donald Healey Motor Company Ltd., working under John Sprinzel. Sprinzel himself attested to Hawkins' immediate impact, describing him as a "really good guy" and a "very good mechanic" who "knew his stuff." This mechanical acumen undoubtedly contributed to his understanding of racing machinery. His driving talent quickly became apparent. In April 1960, shortly after his arrival, Hawkins was behind the wheel of an Austin-Healey Sprite at the Aintree 200 meeting, where he secured a class victory in the GT race. The same year saw him compete in the Nürburgring 1000 km, finishing 38th with co-driver Cyril Simson, under challenging foggy conditions. His association with Austin-Healey continued at Le Mans in 1961, though his entry with John Colgate ended prematurely due to engine issues. By 1962, Hawkins was demonstrating his versatility, piloting Ian Walker's Lotus-Ford to victory in a 1,150 c.c. sports car race at Crystal Palace, setting both lap and race records. His endurance racing capabilities were further highlighted at Le Mans in 1965, where he and John Rhodes achieved an impressive twelfth overall and first in class in a 1.3-litre Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite, completing 278 laps. Hawkins also explored single-seater competition during this period. He participated in the inaugural race under the new Formula Two regulations at Pau in April 1964, finishing seventh in a pushrod Alexis. His skill in adverse conditions was evident when he triumphed in the Formula Two Eifelrennen race on the Nürburgring's south circuit in April 1965, driving an Alexis-Cosworth Mk. 7 amidst bad weather.

Formula 1 Foray and the Monaco Incident

Paul Hawkins' Formula 1 World Championship career was brief, encompassing three Grand Prix starts. His debut came on January 1, 1965, at the South African Grand Prix, where he competed in a Brabham Formula Two car powered by a pushrod Ford 1500cc engine, racing for the John Willment Automobiles team. While he did not score championship points, with his best finish being ninth on debut, Hawkins demonstrated his pace in non-championship Formula 1 events. He secured a second-place finish in the 1964 Rand Grand Prix and a third in 1965. Furthermore, he claimed victories in the 1964 Rhodesian Grand Prix and the 1965 Cape South Easter Formula One Trophy. His 1965 World Championship season also saw him as a non-starter at the British Grand Prix and a retirement from the German Grand Prix due to an oil leak. However, it was an unforgettable incident at the 1965 Monaco Grand Prix that cemented Hawkins' place in Formula 1 folklore. On lap 79 of 100, Hawkins spun his Lotus at the chicane, striking the wooden barrier, careening through straw bales, and ultimately plunging over the quay into the harbour. Remarkably, he emerged from the submerged car unharmed, as recounted: "At this point there was a bit of a furore at the chicane for Hawkins struck the wooden barrier at the entry and spun through the straw bales and over the edge of the quay and into the harbour. The Lotus sank to the bottom and the rugged Australian bobbed to the surface and struck out for shore, while boats went to his rescue." This dramatic escape made him one of only two Formula 1 drivers, alongside Alberto Ascari, to experience such an aquatic detour during the prestigious event.

Sports Car Prowess: The Peak Years

It was in sports car racing that Paul Hawkins truly shone, establishing himself as an "outstanding sports car competitor." His period of greatest success spanned from 1967 to 1968, marked by numerous victories and podium finishes in the World Sports Car Championship. The 1967 season was particularly strong. On May 14, he achieved a significant victory at the Targa Florio in Sicily, sharing a factory-entered 8-cylinder Porsche 910 with Rolf Stommelen. Just over a week later, on May 23, he secured a second-place finish at the Nürburgring 1000 km, again in a Porsche 910. Later that year, on August 20, Hawkins triumphed in the Zeltweg 500 km race, driving a Ford GT40. His winning streak continued on October 15, when he partnered with Jacky Ickx to win the Paris 1000 km race at Montlhéry in a J.W. Automotive Mirage. His momentum carried into 1968. On April 25, Hawkins, teamed with David Hobbs, won the Monza 1000 km race in a Ford GT40. The pair also secured a second-place finish at the Watkins Glen 6-hour event. Hawkins added further podiums to his record that year, achieving third places at the Nürburgring 1000 km with Jacky Ickx and in the Zeltweg 500 km race. He concluded the year with a solo victory in the Cape Town Three Hours on November 23, driving a Ferrari P4. These results firmly established him as a top-tier endurance and sports car racer.

Driving Style and Character

Throughout his career, Paul Hawkins was recognized for a blend of innate talent and a robust approach to racing. Described as a "capable single-seater driver" and an "outstanding sports car competitor," his ability to perform under pressure was evident in his Formula Two Eifelrennen win in "bad weather." His mechanical background, highlighted by John Sprinzel, likely gave him a deeper understanding of his machinery, contributing to his reputation of "skilful and experienced," as noted by contemporary Mike Hailwood. Beyond the cockpit, Hawkins was a "hugely popular" and "colourful character," known affectionately as "Hawkeye" and recognized for his "wide colourful vocabulary." This combination of raw driving skill, technical insight, and a memorable personality made him a fan favourite.

Legacy and Tragic End

In 1969, Paul Hawkins' standing in motorsport was formally recognized by the FIA, who included him in their exclusive list of graded drivers, a testament to his achievements and skill. At this time, Hawkins was also developing an entrepreneurial side, building a business as an owner/operator of racing cars, and had recently relocated his racing shop to Slough. Tragically, his promising career was cut short on May 26, 1969. Hawkins was killed when his Lola T70 MkIIIB GT crashed and burned at Island Bend during the RAC Tourist Trophy at Oulton Park. The news sent shockwaves through the racing community. Fellow racer Mike Hailwood expressed the profound impact of his death, stating in the Daily Mirror, "The news of his death horrified me. I can hardly believe that a man as skilful and as experienced as he was should be killed in this way." Paul Hawkins remains remembered as a formidable competitor, a charismatic personality, and a driver who left an indelible mark on both single-seater and, particularly, sports car racing.