Biography of Hubert Hahne

Hubert Hahne (born 28 March 1935 in Moers; died 24 April 2019 in Düsseldorf) was a German racing driver. He appeared around Formula One and Formula Two, but was known especially for his touring car years with BMW. At the Nürburgring in 1966, he set a mark in a BMW 2000 TI that remained closely connected with the history of BMW's New Class.

From the Lower Rhine to racing

Hahne came from Moers and began racing comparatively late, in the early 1960s. He first drove smaller cars such as NSU models and the BMW 700. Through circuit races and hill climbs he drew attention and entered BMW's orbit. His driving style suited a period in which sporting saloons were changing German touring car racing.

BMW and the New Class

With the BMW 1800 TI and later the 2000 TI, Hahne became one of the formative drivers in BMW's early touring car programmes. In 1964 he won many races on the way to the German circuit racing title. In 1966 the connection between Hahne, BMW and the Nürburgring became especially visible: in a touring car support race for the German Grand Prix, he lapped the Nordschleife in 9:58.5 minutes. His name therefore remained connected with the first sub-ten-minute touring car lap on the old Nürburgring.

Spa, Formula Two and Formula One

Hahne won the 1966 Spa 24 Hours together with Jacky Ickx. At the same time he moved further into single-seaters. At the 1966 German Grand Prix he drove a Formula Two car in the Formula One race field and finished at the Nürburgring. He later competed in Formula Two with BMW engines and Lola chassis. In 1969 he finished runner-up in the European Formula Two standings, while his Formula One record remained brief.

Risk and withdrawal

Motor racing in the late 1960s was marked by high speed, improvised technology and serious danger. Hahne experienced technical problems, difficult entries and fatal accidents involving other drivers around him. In 1970 he ended his active career. His name remained especially connected with BMW, touring cars and the Nürburgring; his younger brother Armin Hahne also became a racing driver.

Farewell

Hubert Hahne died in Düsseldorf on 24 April 2019. He was 84 years old. His sporting profile shows a driver whose short Formula One record stands behind his touring car achievements: BMW engineering and one Nürburgring lap were decisive in making visible the shift from family saloon to serious racing car.