How the Brabham-Repco team ended years of European dominance in Formula 1

As an exhilarating global motorsport event, Formula 1 (F1) is about to kick off its 24-race World Championship in Melbourne. This competition will span five continents and 21 countries, making it accessible to viewers in almost every corner of the globe. The anticipation is high for another thrilling season of speed and skill.

Early F1 events were primarily concentrated in Europe. In its initial years, almost all races were held in Europe. To ensure its designation as a World Championship, there would typically be at least one race outside of Europe, often in the United States. Consequently, British and European manufacturers dominated the motorsport scene. Ferrari, Lotus, BRM (British Racing Motors), and Cooper were just some of the illustrious brands that amassed countless accolades. Their legacy continues to inspire today's teams.

However, in the mid-1960s, an Australian collaboration disrupted Europe's monopoly on F1 and left an extraordinary legacy. Australian driver Jack Brabham, a two-time Drivers' Champion, decided to form his own team – Brabham Racing Organisation. From 1962 to 1965, the Brabham team, including Anglo-Australian engineer Ron Tauranac who played a pivotal role in car construction, demonstrated strength far beyond its size. Brabham achieved third place in the Constructors' Championship twice, using Coventry Climax engines at the time. This marked the beginning of a significant shift in the sport.

In 1966, F1 regulations changed, increasing engine displacement from 1.5 liters to 3 liters, which reshuffled the competitive landscape. Simultaneously, engine manufacturer Coventry Climax withdrew from F1. Recognizing the need for a new engine, Brabham turned to an Australian manufacturer – Repco. "The Brabham-Repco partnership was the first great Australian success story in F1," Brabham's son David, a former F1 driver, told ABC Sport. "It was an inspiring achievement, proving that Australians could challenge the world and win at the highest level. This legacy paved the way for future generations of Australians to pursue their motorsport dreams on the global stage." The collaboration proved to be a turning point.

Brabham wanted his new engine to be based on the American-made Oldsmobile F85 V8, a successful engine at the time. Building on this foundation, Repco developed the RB620 – a 280-brake-horsepower V8 engine that would propel Brabham to glory. "No one was fully prepared for it, but Jack was clear about what kind of engine he needed and who could build it," David said. "Brabham wasn't a big team at the time, so the partnership with Repco was crucial – especially after the engine rules changed from 1.5 liters to 3.0 liters for the 1966 season." The choice of Repco was strategic and innovative.

This Australian collaboration did not come without its initial challenges. Building an F1 engine is a complex undertaking in any era, and the Brabham-Repco partnership encountered problems early on. There was a point when it was thought that the project might need to be abandoned. "Like many other engines, the Repco V8 had reliability issues early on, and at one point, the team almost gave up on it," David said. "But at a crucial meeting, some people believed that things would turn around, and they decided to push forward." This perseverance ultimately paid off.

Few could have predicted just how wise the decision to continue with the Repco620 would be. Jack Brabham won four of the nine Grand Prix in the 1966 season, becoming the first and only driver to win a championship in a car of his own construction. In 1967, Brabham's teammate, New Zealander Denny Hulme, became World Champion. The Brabham team also secured the Manufacturers' Championship in both seasons – then known as the International Cup for F1 Manufacturers. "When my father talked about his experience in 1966, winning his third World Drivers' Championship, you could feel how much the Repco partnership meant to him," David said. "He felt it was his greatest achievement. He and Ron Tauranac formed an incredible team, playing to each other's strengths – they were true pioneers."

By the 1968 season, other manufacturers had caught up with the Repco620. 1968 would be the last year of the all-Australian collaboration, with the Brabham team switching to engines from American powerhouse Ford. But the two years of Brabham-Repco dominance in F1 were historic, unforgettable, and secured Australia's place in F1 history. "Jack was very proud that Australia could challenge the world and beat the likes of Ferrari, Lotus, BRM, and McLaren. It was a monumental achievement in F1," David said. "To this day, no one has been able to replicate Jack's unique achievement." Their legacy continues to inspire and influence the sport.