The only driver besides Alberto Ascari to plunge into the Monaco harbor
In short: Paul Hawkins was a master of high-speed machinery and a man of refined vocabulary. While his career was defined by podiums in some of the world's most grueling endurance races, he is also remembered for a singular, dramatic moment where his car vanished beneath the Mediterranean waves.
Born in 1937 to a racing motorcyclist-turned-church minister, Paul Hawkins arrived in England from Australia in 1960. He was not just a driver but a highly skilled mechanic who initially joined the Donald Healey Motor Company as a works foreman. His technical expertise allowed him to transition quickly into competitive racing, where he became known by the nickname 'Hawkeye.' He earned a reputation for being a colorful character with an expansive vocabulary, a trait noted by his early employers.
Hawkins established himself as a versatile competitor across multiple disciplines. In Formula One, he debuted in 1965 and competed in three World Championship Grands Prix, notably winning the Rhodesian Grand Prix in 1964 and the Cape South Easter Formula One Trophy in 1965. However, his most significant achievements came in sports car racing. He secured major victories in a variety of machines, including a Porsche 910 at the Targa Florio in 1967, a Ford GT40 at the Zeltweg 500 km, and a Ferrari P4 at the Cape Town Three Hours.
His career was marked by high-stakes drama, most notably during the 1965 Monaco Grand Prix. After spinning at the chicane on lap 79 of 100, his Lotus struck a wooden barrier and plunged into the harbor. While the car sank to the bottom, Hawkins survived the ordeal and swam to shore. By 1969, he was recognized by the FIA as one of only 27 drivers in the world rated as the best in their field. Tragically, his career ended in May 1969 at Oulton Park when his Lola T70 crashed and burned during the RAC Tourist Trophy.
Hawkins' legacy is one of immense technical skill and versatility. He moved between single-seaters, sports cars, and even building his own racing business as an owner-operator. His death was described by contemporary peer Mike Hailwood as a shocking loss for a man of such profound experience and skill.
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