On 21st June, 55 years ago, Piers Courage lost his life at Zandvoort during the 1970 Dutch Grand Prix.

Tragedy struck on lap 23, when Piers Courage, driving a De Tomaso-Ford for Frank Williams Racing Cars, crashed at the fast right-hand curve known as Tunnel Oost. The car went off track, hit an embankment, and burst into flames. Investigations revealed that Courage probably died before the flames started. His helmet was found at the point of impact with a large smear of rubber on the front, most likely from a wheel detached on impact. Courage was killed instantly from a broken neck. Despite the tragedy, the race continued, the drivers kept going. It remains one of the most disturbing and shameful moments in Formula 1 history. We honor his memory.