Racing according to Jochen Rindt

Jochen Rindt, the 1970 Formula One World Champion and winner of  six Grand Prix, here-above with Lotus boss Colin Chapman, once declared: “Maybe I will not reach the age of 40. But until that time, I will have experienced more things in life than anybody else.”

He added: “I plan to go racing as long as I enjoy it, but I don’t want to feel I am dependent of it. Too many drivers go on racing too long just for the money, and they usually end up getting killed. I want to be able to pull out when I’ve had enough.”

Sadly Jochen Rindt, who was concerned with the fragility of his Lotus, did not reach the age of 40, when disaster struck during practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. On September 5 1970, Rindt’s Lotus inexplicably slammed into the guard rail at the Parabolica. He was fatally injured. Jochen was 28 years old.

Picture below: Jochen Rindt, in his Lotus 72, on his way to victory, at the 1970 Dutch Grand Prix held at the Zandvoort circuit.