Sunday 18th June 1967

Giacomo Russo (29) died. Racing under the pseudonym ‘Geki’, Russo entered Formula 1 as multiple Italian Formula Junior and Formula 3 Champion, initially by renting one of Rob Walker’s Brabham-BRMs for the 1965 Italian Grand Prix. He failed to qualify for his home Grand Prix at the time but made the grid with a third Team Lotus entry the following year. After retiring with mechanical trouble in 1965, Geki’s third try finally resulted in a good ninth place at the 1966 Italian GP. Besides racing for Alfa Romeo’s works sports car team, Geki also occasionally raced in F2 and it was in such an event that he was the victim of a tragic accident at the Caserta circuit. The Italian was the first to arrive at the scene of a massive accident when he suddenly found Beat Fehr on foot in his path. Trying – unsuccessfully – to avoid the Swiss driver, Geki’s Matra went out of control and hit a concrete wall. Both drivers died in the accident.