Tony Gaze, who became Australia’s first Formula 1 driver when he raced in the 1952 Belgian Grand Prix, died last week aged 93. This remarkable man wasn’t just a Formula 1 driver, but a Spitfire ace in World War II. In 485 sorties over Europe, he was responsible for 12.5 aerial combat victories against the Germans. His courage was rewarded with three Distinguished Flying Crosses.
He was shot down over enemy occupied France, but made his way to England via Spain and Gibraltar. Towards the end of hostilities, he became the first Australian to shoot down an enemy jet fighter. Later, he was the first Australian to fly a jet fighter, the Meteor.
After the war Gaze turned his focus to racing an F1 car, which he did in four grands prix. He returned to Britain in 1952 and bought a HWM Alta to compete in the Belgian, British and German Grands Prix. He raced on for a few years, coming home second behind Stirling Moss in the 1956 New Zealand Grand Prix. He changed from cars to gliders in 1960 and represented Australia in the World Gliding Championships in West Germany. Gaze retired from competitive sports after the passing of his first wife Kay.
In January 2006 Gaze was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of his outstanding achievements and service to the Commonwealth. His extraordinary life both as an Ace RAF fighter pilot in WWII, and later as a successful Grand Prix racing driver, indeed mark him as an outstanding Australian.
Formula 1 great Sir Jack Brabham described Gaze as a “remarkable man. A true gentleman, a good racer and a hero who lived his life in a good and decent manner,” he said.
Gaze was one of the great ambassadors of motorsports in Australia and influenced the sport greatly in its early years.