Mercedes-Benz’s “double winners” in Brno, 1937 – Rudolf Caracciola and Manfred von Brauchitsch
Mercedes-Benz Ag
I don’t know if Daimler-Benz still do this, but the mighty German motor company used to circulate Grand Prix race news of its factory team’s activities to the workers in its plants, plus to its dealers and distributors. Just a few days ago I was in Germany poring over contemporary 1937-season documents when I found this one.
This year’s Mercedes-AMG successes have been a reflection of the ‘Titans’ era in 1937. Then their supercharged 5.66-litre straight-8 Typ 125 cars won seven major Grands Prix, four qualifying as contemporary European Drivers’ Championship rounds. What’s more, those W125s would reign for the following 40 years as the most powerful GP cars ever built, until the advent of turbo 1.5-litre F1 cars in 1977.
Here is the document, from September 27, 1937, with the title: “Another double victory for Mercedes-Benz.
“The Grand Masaryk Prize (on the Brno road circuit in Czechoslovakia), which was run on Sunday in brilliant sunshine before 100,000 enthusiastic spectators, was, like the last Grand Prix, completely dominated by our brand. German Champion Rudolf Caracciola secured his fourth major victory this season with perfect driving style thanks to his new record time. Manfred von Brauchitsch, who followed the winner by only a few seconds, brought us a much-celebrated double victory. The winner’s time was 3hrs 9mins 25.3secs, a new course record. Covering the 138.4km course – specifically the sixth lap – in the incredible time of 11mins 59.3secs, establishing (another) record for our brand. Richard Seaman drove a clean, consistent, race. He ultimately crossed the finish line in fourth place, right behind the leading Auto Union driver, Bernd Rosemeyer. Hermann Lang, who from the start put in a good effort… having led the first three laps, dropped out due to an accident on the fourth lap.
“The Grand Masaryk Prize was completely dominated by our brand”
“We rightly take pride in this further major one-two victory of the 1937 racing season, which once again sees us leading the field with superiority. It clearly demonstrates that our racing cars are currently unsurpassed in terms of speed and reliability.
“Twelve competitors lined up for the start of the Masaryk Grand Prix, a race dominated by our drivers. Hermann Lang initially took the lead, followed by Rosemeyer, von Brauchitsch, and Caracciola. Von Brauchitsch and Caracciola – starting from the third and fourth rows respectively – gradually increased their pace and closed the gap significantly on the leaders, Lang and Rosemeyer. On the fourth lap, Rosemeyer overtook Lang, who was forced to retire shortly thereafter following an accident. Caracciola then set about chasing down Rosemeyer; on the sixth lap – which he completed in the incredibly fast record time of 11mins 59.3secs – the German champion overtook the Auto Union driver.
“In the seventh lap, while attempting to match Caracciola’s pace, Rosemeyer went off the track, severely damaging his car. At this point, Manfred von Brauchitsch had fallen somewhat behind due to a tyre change at the emergency pit.
“Halfway through the race, the standings were as follows: Rudolf Caracciola was in the lead, alone, with an advantage of over two and a half minutes. Behind him came Müller (Auto Union), closely followed by our drivers Seaman and von Brauchitsch. The latter two then launched an all-out attack on the only remaining Auto Union race car, driven by Müller. He was overtaken with ease – first by Seaman, and then shortly thereafter by von Brauchitsch, who in turn passed Seaman.
“From the 11th to the 14th lap, three Mercedes-Benz cars held the lead. In fourth place followed Rosemeyer, who had taken over Müller’s car. After 3hrs, 9mins and 25.3secs, Rudolf Caracciola crossed the finish line in his Mercedes-Benz as the commanding winner and record-breaking victor of the 7th Masaryk Grand Prix.
“The second Mercedes-Benz driver, von Brauchitsch, followed 35secs behind him, while Richard Seaman took fourth place. Once again it was a privilege to represent Germany victoriously at a major international motorsport event abroad.
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“This coming Saturday, this year’s racing season will conclude with the ‘Donington Grand Prix’. The representation of our colours lies with the proven champion drivers Rudolf Caracciola, Manfred von Brauchitsch, Hermann Lang and Richard Seaman. You will find us well-prepared!”
Indeed, they were – Mercedes-Benz entering no fewer than five W125s, and Auto Union three of its V16 rear-engined cars – known since as the C-Types. But the Germans’ first Donington GP did not go well for Mercedes. Haughty von Brauchitsch and cheery ex-motorcyclist Bernd Rosemeyer of Auto Union proved fastest in practice. Hermann Lang then led the opening race laps only to be forced out by a broken damper. On lap three Seaman’s Mercedes was clouted by Hermann Müller’s Auto Union, likewise having to retire with suspension damage.
Brauchitsch, Caracciola and Rosemeyer disputed the lead. Brauchitsch – perennially the team’s Pechvogel (‘unlucky bird’) suffered a puncture, which left Rosemeyer in the lead which he held to the finish – Auto Union memorably defeating Mercedes-Benz.
But there was no doubting that, as we have seen in 2026, that was a Mercedes year. And they then made sure every staffer knew it.
