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The greatest heist in F1 history

Hans Heyer has the distinction of getting away with one of the greatest imposter moments in motorsport history, after failing to qualify for the 1977 German Grand Prix but racing anyway. New photos found by Motorsport Images reveal just how he did it

It's one of the best-known heists in motorsport history. Formula 1 aficionados are well aware that Hans Heyer somehow started the 1977 German Grand Prix at Hockenheim despite failing to qualify. But few know exactly how he pulled it off.

I counted myself among the ill-informed, even though I'd talked in length to the legendary tin-top driver about his caper. The problem for me 10 or so years back when I came to writing about his escapades was that Heyer's story didn't quite tally with those of another participant in the strange affair, nor contemporary press reports. There seemed to be discrepancies in the tales of how Heyer illegally - and quite blatantly - snuck out onto the track to claim an unlikely place in F1 history.

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Author Gary Watkins

Gary Watkins has, for reasons best known to himself, devoted all his working life to covering sportscar racing. This season is his 33rd as a motorsport journalist, during which time he has reported on major long-distance events on four continents and approaching 80 24-hour races. He reckons a degree in political philosophy makes him well qualified for covering the sometimes Machiavellian world of international sportscars.

Gary, who also writes for Motor Sport, Autocourse, RACER and others, lives in Surbiton close to the former workshops of the Cooper Formula 1 team but spends more time on the road than at home for most of the year.