Jochen Rindt, the famous Austrian racer, would have turned 80 on April 18, but his life was cut short on September 5, 1970 after a serious accident in Monza. However, fate had it that he went down in Formula 1 history as the only driver to become posthumous world champion.
Safety standards then were radically different from today, and the legendary Colin Chapman, Lotus team leader, has always been famous for making his cars as light as possible, and his engineering approach is controversial to this day.
Rindt was not only a talented racer – he also had a strong business sense, and it was no accident that life brought him together with Bernie Ecclestone, with whom they had both friendly and partner relationships.
If you ask Helmut Mark, who was also friends with Rindt, how his friend’s future career would have developed had it not been for the tragedy at Monza, he will answer: “Jochen would certainly have been in motorsport after 1970. to keep working. And at some point I would have been in charge of Formula 1 with Bernie.”
The well-known Austrian journalist and commentator Heinz Prüller, the author of numerous books about famous champions of various years, whom Rindt knew well, also has no doubt that his compatriot could still achieve a lot: “It was clear that Jochen’s career, she was able to develop brilliantly, he won more than one title. But I would hardly participate in competitions like the Indy 500 and the like.
Bernie Ecclestone once said of Rindt: “Jochen could have won as many championships as Michael Schumacher. We have a good relationship with him and have never had any problems.”
In memory of the 1970 world champion, Austrian TV channel ORF will tonight show a selection of archival films and programs dedicated to Jochen Rindt and different periods of his career, starting with the Austrian Grand Prix ’64, his debut F1 race.
Of course, there will be a detailed story about the 1969-1970 seasons, his best at the World Cup. It is curious that at that time Rindt was still able to work as a television reporter, interviewing his rivals during races. The last day of this was an interview with Jacky Ickx, which Jochen recorded in Monza shortly before his death. In 1970, X was the Austrian’s main rival and became vice champion, losing five points.
Source: F1 News
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