Richard Seaman
Encyclopedia
Richard John Beattie "Dick" Seaman (4 February 1913 in Chichester
, Sussex
, England
– 25 June 1939 at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
), was one of the greatest pre-war Grand Prix
drivers from Britain.
He famously drove for the Mercedes-Benz
team from 1937-1939 in the Mercedes-Benz W125
car, winning the 1938 German Grand Prix
.
and Trinity College, Cambridge
, in 1934 he resolved to become a racing driver and took his MG car to the European mainland to gain experience. He won the Voiturette
race of the Swiss Grand Prix
event at Bremgarten
at his first attempt. He won other small races for English Racing Automobiles
(ERA) and eventually Mercedes team chief Alfred Neubauer
invited him for a trial at the Nürburgring
. Both Silver Arrows
teams used to have at least one foreign driver, if available.
In 1937 he signed for Mercedes-Benz
against the wishes of his mother, who did not want him to drive for a "Nazi
" team. Having a solid start to his career with Mercedes in 1937, he excelled in the 1938 season - he won the 1938 German Grand Prix
, giving the nazi salute on the podium and becoming one of the favourite driver of Hitler, and came second in the 1938 Swiss Grand Prix
. In December 1938 he married Erica Popp, the daughter of the director of BMW
, again against his mother's wishes.
Leading the 1939 Belgian Grand Prix
at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
during a wet race, he crashed his car into a tree during lap 22. It is thought he was using a line through a corner that was only normally used in the dry. On his death bed he remarked to the Mercedes chief engineer, "I was going too fast for the conditions - it was entirely my own fault. I am sorry".
He died some hours after, at just 26 years of age, as Mercedes' only fatality during that time.
After Seaman's death, Mercedes-Benz dealerships worldwide were ordered to display his photograph in their windows. Richard Seaman was buried at Putney Vale Cemetery
in London and his grave is maintained by Mercedes-Benz to this day.
Chichester
Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, South-East England. It has a long history as a settlement; its Roman past and its subsequent importance in Anglo-Saxon times are only its beginnings...
, Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
– 25 June 1939 at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
), was one of the greatest pre-war Grand Prix
Grand Prix motor racing
Grand Prix motor racing has its roots in organised automobile racing that began in France as far back as 1894. It quickly evolved from a simple road race from one town to the next, to endurance tests for car and driver...
drivers from Britain.
He famously drove for the Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
team from 1937-1939 in the Mercedes-Benz W125
Mercedes-Benz W125
The Mercedes-Benz W125 was a Grand Prix racing car designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut to race during the 1937 Grand Prix season. The car was used by Rudolf Caracciola to win the 1937 European Championship and W125 drivers also finished in the second, third and fourth positions in the championship.The...
car, winning the 1938 German Grand Prix
German Grand Prix
The German Grand Prix is an annual automobile race.Because Germany was banned from taking part in international events after World War II, the German GP only became part of the Formula One World Championship in 1951...
.
Life
Seaman was born into a wealthy family and developed an enthusiasm for motoring in his childhood. After studying at Rugby SchoolRugby School
Rugby School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England. It is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain.-History:...
and Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, in 1934 he resolved to become a racing driver and took his MG car to the European mainland to gain experience. He won the Voiturette
Voiturette
Voiturette is a word mostly used to describe a miniature automobile; however, it has several nuanced meanings, depending largely on the usage date.-History:...
race of the Swiss Grand Prix
Swiss Grand Prix
The Swiss Grand Prix was the premier auto race of Switzerland. In its later years it was a Formula One race....
event at Bremgarten
Circuit Bremgarten
The Circuit Bremgarten was a 7.28 km race course in Bern, Switzerland which formerly hosted the Formula One Swiss Grand Prix and the Swiss motorcycle Grand Prix....
at his first attempt. He won other small races for English Racing Automobiles
English Racing Automobiles
English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:...
(ERA) and eventually Mercedes team chief Alfred Neubauer
Alfred Neubauer
Alfred Neubauer was the racing manager of the Mercedes Grand Prix team from 1926 to 1955.-Biography:...
invited him for a trial at the Nürburgring
Nürburgring
The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
. Both Silver Arrows
Silver Arrows
Silver Arrows was the name given by the press to Germany's dominant Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union Grand Prix motor racing cars between 1934 and 1939, and also later applied to the Mercedes-Benz Formula One and sports cars in 1954/55.For decades until the introduction of sponsorship liveries, each...
teams used to have at least one foreign driver, if available.
In 1937 he signed for Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
against the wishes of his mother, who did not want him to drive for a "Nazi
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
" team. Having a solid start to his career with Mercedes in 1937, he excelled in the 1938 season - he won the 1938 German Grand Prix
German Grand Prix
The German Grand Prix is an annual automobile race.Because Germany was banned from taking part in international events after World War II, the German GP only became part of the Formula One World Championship in 1951...
, giving the nazi salute on the podium and becoming one of the favourite driver of Hitler, and came second in the 1938 Swiss Grand Prix
Swiss Grand Prix
The Swiss Grand Prix was the premier auto race of Switzerland. In its later years it was a Formula One race....
. In December 1938 he married Erica Popp, the daughter of the director of BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
, again against his mother's wishes.
Leading the 1939 Belgian Grand Prix
Belgian Grand Prix
The Belgian Grand Prix is an automobile race, part of the Formula One World Championship....
at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix and the Spa 24 Hours endurance race. It is also home to the all Volkswagen club event, 25 Hours of Spa, run by the Uniroyal Fun Cup. It is one of the most challenging race tracks in the world, mainly due to its...
during a wet race, he crashed his car into a tree during lap 22. It is thought he was using a line through a corner that was only normally used in the dry. On his death bed he remarked to the Mercedes chief engineer, "I was going too fast for the conditions - it was entirely my own fault. I am sorry".
He died some hours after, at just 26 years of age, as Mercedes' only fatality during that time.
After Seaman's death, Mercedes-Benz dealerships worldwide were ordered to display his photograph in their windows. Richard Seaman was buried at Putney Vale Cemetery
Putney Vale Cemetery
Putney Vale Cemetery and Crematorium in London is surrounded by Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park, and is located within forty-seven acres of parkland. The cemetery was opened in 1891 and the crematorium in 1938...
in London and his grave is maintained by Mercedes-Benz to this day.
Results
- 19341934 Grand Prix seasonThe 1934 Grand Prix season was the final year of a two-year hiatus for the European Championship. Achille Varzi proved to be the most successful driver, winning six Grands Prix. Alfa Romeo's cars proved difficult to beat, winning 18 of the season's 35 Grands Prix.-Grandes Épreuves:-Other Grands...
: Coppa AcerboCoppa AcerboThe Coppa Acerbo was an automobile race held in Italy, named after Tito Acerbo, the brother of Giacomo Acerbo, a prominent fascist politician. Following Italy's defeat in World War II, and the consequent demise of fascism, the race was renamed the Circuito di Pescara, and in some years was also...
(VoituretteVoituretteVoiturette is a word mostly used to describe a miniature automobile; however, it has several nuanced meanings, depending largely on the usage date.-History:...
) (3), Swiss Grand PrixSwiss Grand PrixThe Swiss Grand Prix was the premier auto race of Switzerland. In its later years it was a Formula One race....
(Voiturette) (1), Czech Grand Prix (Voiturette) (5) - 19351935 Grand Prix seasonThe 1935 Grand Prix season was the third AIACR European Championship season. The championship was won by Rudolf Caracciola, driving for the Mercedes-Benz team.-Teams:-Works teams:-Independent teams:-Private entries:...
: DNF Frontieres GP, EifelrennenEifelrennenThe ADAC Eifelrennen was an annual motor race, organised by ADAC Automobile Club from 1922 to 2003, held in Germany's Eifel mountain region even before the Nürburgring was built there.- History :...
(Voiturette) (4), Coppa AcerboCoppa AcerboThe Coppa Acerbo was an automobile race held in Italy, named after Tito Acerbo, the brother of Giacomo Acerbo, a prominent fascist politician. Following Italy's defeat in World War II, and the consequent demise of fascism, the race was renamed the Circuito di Pescara, and in some years was also...
(Voiturette) (1), Swiss Grand PrixSwiss Grand PrixThe Swiss Grand Prix was the premier auto race of Switzerland. In its later years it was a Formula One race....
(Voiturette) (1), Czech Grand Prix (Voiturette) (1) - 19361936 Grand Prix SeasonThe 1936 Grand Prix season was the fourth AIACR European Championship season. The championship was won by Bernd Rosemeyer, driving for the Auto Union team...
: British Empire Trophy (Handicap) (1), Isle of ManIsle of ManThe Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
(Voiturette) (1), German Grand PrixGerman Grand PrixThe German Grand Prix is an annual automobile race.Because Germany was banned from taking part in international events after World War II, the German GP only became part of the Formula One World Championship in 1951...
(8), Coppa CianoCoppa CianoThe Coppa Ciano was an automobile race held in Italy. Originally referred to as Coppa Montenero or Circuito Montenero, the Coppa Ciano name being used between 1927 and 1939....
(Voiturette) (6), Coppa AcerboCoppa AcerboThe Coppa Acerbo was an automobile race held in Italy, named after Tito Acerbo, the brother of Giacomo Acerbo, a prominent fascist politician. Following Italy's defeat in World War II, and the consequent demise of fascism, the race was renamed the Circuito di Pescara, and in some years was also...
(Voiturette) (1), DNF Coppa AcerboCoppa AcerboThe Coppa Acerbo was an automobile race held in Italy, named after Tito Acerbo, the brother of Giacomo Acerbo, a prominent fascist politician. Following Italy's defeat in World War II, and the consequent demise of fascism, the race was renamed the Circuito di Pescara, and in some years was also...
, Swiss Grand PrixSwiss Grand PrixThe Swiss Grand Prix was the premier auto race of Switzerland. In its later years it was a Formula One race....
(Voiturette) (1), JCCJCCJCC may refer to:* John Cooper Clarke, Mancunian punk-poet* China Basin Heliport, San Francisco, CA, USA * Jackson Community College* Jamestown Community College* Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical Research...
200 (Voiturette) (1), Donington Grand Prix (1) - 19371937 Grand Prix SeasonThe 1937 Grand Prix season was the fifth AIACR European Championship season. The championship was won by Rudolf Caracciola, driving for the Mercedes-Benz team...
: Tripoli Grand PrixTripoli Grand PrixThe Tripoli Grand Prix was a motor racing event first held in 1925 on a racing circuit outside Tripoli, the capital of what was then Italian Tripolitania...
(7), AVUSAVUSThe Automobil-Verkehrs- und Übungs-Straße, better known as AVUS, is a public road that was also used as a motor racing circuit. It is located in the south-western districts of Berlin, Germany, between Charlottenburg and Nikolassee, and is nowadays an important part of the public highway system, as...
Grand Prix (5), DNF EifelrennenEifelrennenThe ADAC Eifelrennen was an annual motor race, organised by ADAC Automobile Club from 1922 to 2003, held in Germany's Eifel mountain region even before the Nürburgring was built there.- History :...
GP, Vanderbilt CupVanderbilt CupThe Vanderbilt Cup was the first major trophy in American auto racing.-History:An international event, it was founded by William Kissam Vanderbilt II in 1904 and first held at a course set out in Nassau County on Long Island, New York. The announcement that the race was to be held caused...
(2), DNF German Grand PrixGerman Grand PrixThe German Grand Prix is an annual automobile race.Because Germany was banned from taking part in international events after World War II, the German GP only became part of the Formula One World Championship in 1951...
, Coppa AcerboCoppa AcerboThe Coppa Acerbo was an automobile race held in Italy, named after Tito Acerbo, the brother of Giacomo Acerbo, a prominent fascist politician. Following Italy's defeat in World War II, and the consequent demise of fascism, the race was renamed the Circuito di Pescara, and in some years was also...
(5), 1937 Italian Grand Prix1937 Italian Grand PrixThe 1937 Italian Grand Prix was a 750 kg Formula race held on September 12, 1937 at the Livorno Circuit.-Race report:Caracciola took an early lead from pole, Lang was second but he soon took the lead from Caracciola, the two Mercedes drivers pushing each other hard. Team manager Alfred...
(4), 1937 Czechoslovakian Grand Prix1937 Czechoslovakian Grand PrixThe 1937 Masaryk Grand Prix was a 750 kg Formula race held on September 26, 1937 at the Masaryk Circuit.-Race Report:Rudolf Hasse and Achille Varzi did not race due to illness. Rosemeyer took the Auto Union into an early lead and von Brauchitsch couldn't match his skill on the gravel surface...
(4), DNF 1937 British Grand Prix1937 British Grand PrixThe 1937 Donington Grand Prix was a Grand Prix motor race held on October 2, 1937 at the Donington Park circuit.-Race report:In the race, Hermann Lang led the first few laps but retired with a broken damper, and British driver Richard Seaman followed shortly after. The lead changed hands several...
Donington - 19381938 Grand Prix seasonThe 1938 Grand Prix season was the sixth AIACR European Championship season. The championship was won by Rudolf Caracciola, driving for the Mercedes-Benz team...
: DNS French Grand PrixFrench Grand PrixThe French Grand Prix was a race held as part of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's annual Formula One automobile racing championships....
, German Grand PrixGerman Grand PrixThe German Grand Prix is an annual automobile race.Because Germany was banned from taking part in international events after World War II, the German GP only became part of the Formula One World Championship in 1951...
(1), Swiss Grand PrixSwiss Grand PrixThe Swiss Grand Prix was the premier auto race of Switzerland. In its later years it was a Formula One race....
(2), DNF Italian Grand PrixItalian Grand PrixThe Italian Grand Prix is one of the longest running events on the motor racing calendar. The first Italian Grand Prix motor racing championship took place on 4 September 1921 at Brescia...
, Donington Grand Prix (3) - 19391939 Grand Prix seasonThe 1939 Grand Prix season was the seventh AIACR European Championship season. The championship winner was never officially announced by the AIACR due to the outbreak of World War II less than two weeks after the final event in Switzerland. The Italian GP initially had been a fifth event, but it...
: DNS Pau Grand Prix, DNF EifelrennenEifelrennenThe ADAC Eifelrennen was an annual motor race, organised by ADAC Automobile Club from 1922 to 2003, held in Germany's Eifel mountain region even before the Nürburgring was built there.- History :...
GP, DNF Belgian Grand PrixBelgian Grand PrixThe Belgian Grand Prix is an automobile race, part of the Formula One World Championship....
Publications
- Dick Seaman, George Monkhouse, Doug Nye: "Dick and George: The Seaman Monkhouse Letters 1936-39", Palawan Press 2002, SBN 0952300990
- 'Dick Seaman Racing Motorist' by Prince Chula of Thailand, First Published 1941, G T Foulis & Co Ltd London