Inseparable!

Jo Siffert and Pedro Rodriguez were not yet team mates in 1969, but were going to become inseparable rivals one year later in the John Wyer-entered Porsche 917 and then during the next season in Formula 1 at BRM in 1971, the year of their tragic deaths, as if united in a cruel destiny…

During the Grand Prix of Reims in Formula 2, they duelled for the first time, Seppi at the wheel of the BMW Dornier and Pedro in the Matra MS7 usually driven by Henri Pescarolo (reason of the green nose), who was still convalescent after his terrible accident when testing the Matra 640 at the Hunaudières in April.

Siffert was forced to retire and Rodriguez finished 7th, in a race won by the Tecno of François Cevert ahead of the Brabhams of Robin Widdows and Piers Courage. Another Brabham, in the hands of Jacky Ickx, had claimed pole position (picture here under).