F1 Beyond The Grid Derek Bell: from Ferrari F1 debut at Monza to five Le Mans wins
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Sep 30, 2025 
Derek Bell, a legendary sports car racer and former F1 driver, shares his incredible journey from racing for Ferrari to securing five Le Mans victories. He recounts his fascinating dinner experiences with Enzo Ferrari and the pressures of his F1 debut at Monza. Derek discusses his successful partnership with Jackie Ickx, the allure of endurance racing, and memorable moments from the 1970s and 1980s. He even opens up about filming with Steve McQueen, leading to a serious on-set injury, highlighting the thrilling intersection of film and motorsport.
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Handpicked By Enzo Ferrari
- Derek Bell recounts being personally chosen by Enzo Ferrari and taken to dinner, sometimes driven in a 2+2 to meet him.
- He describes Enzo opening a restaurant door for him and phoning the hospital to check on his wife, showing a softer side.
How Drivers Get Spotted
- Derek felt he joined Ferrari too early and lacked F2 experience, yet still achieved unexpected wins and pole positions.
- He reflects that teams often spot talent from F3 performances at Monaco when all teams are present.
Monza Debut And Amon's Crash
- Derek describes his F1 debut at Monza, qualifying eighth beside Jackie Stewart and witnessing Chris Amon flip over the guardrail.
- The crash shook him but Amon walked away, and Derek reflected on how surreal his first Grand Prix was.