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Among the sixteen Dutch Formula 1 drivers, Ben Pon was one of the pioneers. However, his journey in the prestigious realm of motorsport was tragically brief. His participation in the 1962 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort lasted a mere two laps. “At that moment, I thought: well, it’s over for you,” he recalled.
The Classic Special ‘Dutch Legends’ from FORMULA 1 Magazine features an in-depth portrait of Ben Pon, exploring his passion for high-speed cars, exquisite wines, and a strong aversion to authority. Here’s a sneak peek from that fascinating article.
The Chance of a Lifetime
In 1962, when Ben Pon received the opportunity to race in a Grand Prix, he did not hesitate to seize it. The Dutch Grand Prix was particularly significant that year, as it marked the opening race of the Formula 1 World Championship. The event even earned the esteemed title of the Grand Prix of Europe. Sport Commissioner Herman van Haaren aimed not just to feature one or two drivers, as was custom in 1952, but instead he aspired to have three Dutch racers take the grid. Thanks to the registrations from Ecurie Maarsbergen, he aimed to include established racer Carel Godin de Beaufort alongside Rob Slotemaker and Ben Pon. Regrettably, Slotemaker was unable to secure the necessary funding to compete with a Cooper. For Pon, financial constraints were not an issue; he arranged to drive a Porsche.
A Race Filled with Drama
On May 20, 1962, twenty participants lined up for the Grand Prix of Europe. Jim Clark led for eleven laps until mechanical issues plagued his Lotus, paving the way for Graham Hill, who dominated the race for the remaining sixty-nine laps. The excitement was short-lived, however, as John Surtees crashed in the ‘Bos’ section, landing amid bicycles and barbed wire. With multiple dropouts throughout the race, Godin de Beaufort managed to finish in sixth place, marking him as the first Dutch driver to score a championship point in Formula 1.
Ambition and Misfortune
At this point, Ben Pon had already withdrawn from the race. Starting from the second-to-last row, he aggressively pursued overtaking opportunities. In a humorous reflection published in Quote, he reminisced about his youthful arrogance: “I considered myself the best driver in the Netherlands. No one could match my speed and skill in a Porsche. If competitors got in my way, I’d send them off into the dunes. There was no stopping me.” In his first lap, he swiftly passed Roy Salvadori, Richie Ginther, and even Godin de Beaufort. Yet, just as he began the second lap, he lost control in the Tarzan corner. Frustrated, he attempted to catch up again but soon lost control of his vehicle while barreling through Scheivlak in the third round. The car veered off the track, hit the sand, and flipped over—resulting in a brutal and perilous crash. “At that moment, I thought: well, this is it for you. Everything happens so fast. The car flipped, but you don’t process it in real-time,” Pon shared with a sense of calm. “I was thrown out of the vehicle, and surprisingly, I felt nothing. I wasn’t scared; my .comy thought was: you’re either in a hospital or dead—take your pick. Thankfully, it wasn’t the latter. That’s luck for you. Without it, survival is nearly impossible.”
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