Bauer became famous for racing an undermatched Lotus to a fourth place in the 1954 1000km Nürburgring, and thus, providing Lotus with one of its earliest successes. His sole race in the Formula One World Championship came in 1953 at the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. In a field of thirty four, Bauer qualified 33rd, only ahead of fellow Veritas entrant Oswald Karch. He made it onto the second lap, which was more than could be said for Hans Stuck and Ernst Loof, but then his engine expired. He had jumped up to 28th, leaping ahead of the two retiring cars plus Rudolf Krause and Maurice Trintignant.