Eifelland

Eifelland as a Formula One constructor
Official name(s) Team Eifelland Caravans
Base West Germany
Founder(s) Günther Hennerici
Notable staff Luigi Colani
Formula One World Championship career
Engines Cosworth V8
First entry 1972 South African Grand Prix
Last entry 1972 Austrian Grand Prix
Races entered 8
Race victories 0
Constructors' Championships 0
Drivers'
Championships
0
Pole positions 0
Fastest laps 0
Eifelland-March E21 pictured in 2011

Eifelland was a German Formula One team, named after its German owner Günther Hennerici's caravan manufacturing company. Hennerici owned a successful business and in the beginning he saw racing as a great possibility to advertise his product. The name Eifelland was chosen after the Eifel mountains where Hennerici was born, which are located close to the Nürburgring.

Hennerici had a twin brother Heinz who lost his left arm in the Second World War. However, he was a devoted racing driver who still holds a record in his group at the Nürburgring. The brothers were very involved in racing in general and helped to establish the AC Mayen with many other racing fanatics in and from Mayen. Günther's third wife Hannelore Werner was a successful Formula 2 driver, and Heinz's grandson Marc Hennerici was a very successful racing driver in his own right. Heinz was a popular figure around the Nürburgring until his death.

However, Hennerici was known to have a temperament which is still rather famous in and outside the paddock. He sold his business a couple of years later and turned back to racing, but most of his achievements are lost. His dream from the '70s came true in 2010 when Mercedes Benz re-established itself in Formula One. The Hennerici brothers were very passionate about the old style racing and Günther is remembered as one of the pioneers and visionaries of modern German racing principals.

Eifelland only participated in the FIA Formula One World Championship in the 1972 Formula One season. Their driver was German Rolf Stommelen, however the two soon suffered disagreements.

The car was based on a March 721 Formula One car, redesigned by German designer Luigi Colani in his typical rounded aerodynamic style. The car featured an air intake in front of the driver, with the air being guided around the cockpit to the engine. A single rear view mirror was mounted in front of the driver. Problems with overheating, downforce and reliability meant that the team had to replace some of Colani's designs with the originally-designed parts from March.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

Year Chassis Engine Tyres Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Points WCC
1972 Eifelland 21 Cosworth V8 G ARG RSA ESP MON BEL FRA GBR GER AUT ITA CAN USA 0 NC
Germany Rolf Stommelen 13 Ret 10 11 16 10 Ret 15
Source:[1]

References

  1. Small, Steve (1994). The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who. Guinness. p. 363. ISBN 0851127029.
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