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Saturday
Oct222022
THE DRIVERS, PART X.
Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 12:04PM By Peter M. DeLorenzo
Detroit. Ask anyone who has been involved in racing what they remember most about the sport - besides the memorable cars and races - and they will always talk about the people and the personalities involved. It's these stories that fuel the memories, because racing is far from a one-dimensional pursuit. It's a passionate endeavor that consumes the people involved to a degree that outsiders just can't understand. And it's these memorable characters who have left an indelible mark on the sport. Drivers who were fierce competitors, flawed heroes and incredible, gifted talents. Their legacies are what make the sport of motor racing so fascinating. In the previous issues, I have recalled some - but not all - of my favorites (scroll down to "next 1 entries" to read previous issues -WG), and there are clearly many more exceptional drivers to cover. If you follow me on Twitter (@PeterMDeLorenzo) and read this column, you know that I've been posting images and commentary covering a lot of the compelling historical stories from racing's golden years. This week I'm focusing on the great Jackie Stewart.
Sir John Young "Jackie" Stewart is one of the all-time F1 greats. Stewart - "The Flying Scot" - competed in F1 between 1965 and 1973, winning 27 out of 99 Grand Prix races and three World Driving Championships (1969, 1971, 1973). Jackie almost won the Indianapolis 500 in his first attempt in 1966, and he also competed in the Can-Am series in 1970 and 1971. I will always remember seeing Jackie driving the No. 1 Carl Haas Racing L&M Lola T260 Chevrolet in the 1971 Can-Am series, giving fits to Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme with his ill-handling, short wheelbase Lola. He willed that car to victory twice that season (Mont Tremblant and Mid-Ohio), and he was in contention in several other races, finishing third in the championship. Jackie abruptly retired from racing in Watkins Glen, New York, in 1973, after a catastrophic accident took the life of his Tyrrell teammate, Francois Cevert, in F1 practice. I was there that tragic weekend, and I watched as Jackie and his wife Helen left the track. It would have been his 100th Grand Prix race. His persistent pursuit of improving racing safety - including tracks and medical facilities - has left a lasting impact on the sport that still resonates to this day. After John Surtees' death in 2017, Jackie is now the lone surviving F1 World Champion from the 1960s.
Jackie Stewart sits in the No. 43 John Mecom-entered Bowes Seal-Fast Lola T90-Ford at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 1966. Jackie qualified in eleventh position but 11 of the 33 starters were eliminated in a massive crash at the start of the race. Stewart led by over a lap late in the race, but with less than ten laps left he had to park the car with no oil pressure. Graham Hill, his John Mecom Racing teammate, led the final 10 laps in his American Red Ball Lola-Ford, becoming the first rookie to win the race since 1927. Stewart was classified finishing sixth and was named rookie of the year over Hill. Only seven cars finished the race.
(Getty Images)
Monaco Grand Prix, May 30, 1965. Jackie Stewart qualified third in the No. 4 Owen Racing Organization BRM P261 behind Graham Hill (No. 3 Owen Racing Organization BRM P261) and Jack Brabham (No. 1 Brabham Racing Organization brabham BT11). They finished the race in that same order.
(Getty Images)
For his moment in time, Jackie Stewart was the quintessential F1 driver.
Detroit. Ask anyone who has been involved in racing what they remember most about the sport - besides the memorable cars and races - and they will always talk about the people and the personalities involved. It's these stories that fuel the memories, because racing is far from a one-dimensional pursuit. It's a passionate endeavor that consumes the people involved to a degree that outsiders just can't understand. And it's these memorable characters who have left an indelible mark on the sport. Drivers who were fierce competitors, flawed heroes and incredible, gifted talents. Their legacies are what make the sport of motor racing so fascinating. In the previous issues, I have recalled some - but not all - of my favorites (scroll down to "next 1 entries" to read previous issues -WG), and there are clearly many more exceptional drivers to cover. If you follow me on Twitter (@PeterMDeLorenzo) and read this column, you know that I've been posting images and commentary covering a lot of the compelling historical stories from racing's golden years. This week I'm focusing on the great Jackie Stewart.
Sir John Young "Jackie" Stewart is one of the all-time F1 greats. Stewart - "The Flying Scot" - competed in F1 between 1965 and 1973, winning 27 out of 99 Grand Prix races and three World Driving Championships (1969, 1971, 1973). Jackie almost won the Indianapolis 500 in his first attempt in 1966, and he also competed in the Can-Am series in 1970 and 1971. I will always remember seeing Jackie driving the No. 1 Carl Haas Racing L&M Lola T260 Chevrolet in the 1971 Can-Am series, giving fits to Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme with his ill-handling, short wheelbase Lola. He willed that car to victory twice that season (Mont Tremblant and Mid-Ohio), and he was in contention in several other races, finishing third in the championship. Jackie abruptly retired from racing in Watkins Glen, New York, in 1973, after a catastrophic accident took the life of his Tyrrell teammate, Francois Cevert, in F1 practice. I was there that tragic weekend, and I watched as Jackie and his wife Helen left the track. It would have been his 100th Grand Prix race. His persistent pursuit of improving racing safety - including tracks and medical facilities - has left a lasting impact on the sport that still resonates to this day. After John Surtees' death in 2017, Jackie is now the lone surviving F1 World Champion from the 1960s.
Jackie Stewart sits in the No. 43 John Mecom-entered Bowes Seal-Fast Lola T90-Ford at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 1966. Jackie qualified in eleventh position but 11 of the 33 starters were eliminated in a massive crash at the start of the race. Stewart led by over a lap late in the race, but with less than ten laps left he had to park the car with no oil pressure. Graham Hill, his John Mecom Racing teammate, led the final 10 laps in his American Red Ball Lola-Ford, becoming the first rookie to win the race since 1927. Stewart was classified finishing sixth and was named rookie of the year over Hill. Only seven cars finished the race.(Getty Images)Monaco Grand Prix, May 30, 1965. Jackie Stewart qualified third in the No. 4 Owen Racing Organization BRM P261 behind Graham Hill (No. 3 Owen Racing Organization BRM P261) and Jack Brabham (No. 1 Brabham Racing Organization brabham BT11). They finished the race in that same order.
(Getty Images)For his moment in time, Jackie Stewart was the quintessential F1 driver.
(Getty Images)
The two "Flying Scots" - Jackie Stewart and Jim Clark.
(Getty Images)
The starting grid for the 1967 German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring: Jim Clark (No. 3 Lotus 49 Ford Cosworth DFV V8); Denny Hulme (No. 2 Brabham B24 Repco V8); Jackie Stewart (No. 11 BRM P115 H16) and Dan Gurney (No. 9 AAR Eagle T1G Weslake V12). Hulme won, followed by Jack Brabham (No. 1 Brabham B24 Repco V8) and Chris Amon (No. 8 Scuderia Ferrari 312 V12). Quite the front row...
The two "Flying Scots" - Jackie Stewart and Jim Clark.
(Getty Images)The starting grid for the 1967 German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring: Jim Clark (No. 3 Lotus 49 Ford Cosworth DFV V8); Denny Hulme (No. 2 Brabham B24 Repco V8); Jackie Stewart (No. 11 BRM P115 H16) and Dan Gurney (No. 9 AAR Eagle T1G Weslake V12). Hulme won, followed by Jack Brabham (No. 1 Brabham B24 Repco V8) and Chris Amon (No. 8 Scuderia Ferrari 312 V12). Quite the front row...
(Getty Images)
Jackie Stewart won the 1969 F1 World Championship in the Ken Tyrrell-entered Matra MS80 powered by a Cosworth DFV V8.
(Ford Racing Archives)
Jackie Stewart and Ken Tyrrell at the press introduction for the Tyrrell 001 Grand Prix car in 1970.
Jackie Stewart won the 1969 F1 World Championship in the Ken Tyrrell-entered Matra MS80 powered by a Cosworth DFV V8.
(Ford Racing Archives)Jackie Stewart and Ken Tyrrell at the press introduction for the Tyrrell 001 Grand Prix car in 1970.
(Getty Images)
British Grand Prix, Silverstone, July 12, 1971. Jackie Stewart (No. 12 ELF Team Tyrrell/Tyrrell 003 Ford Cosworth DFV V8) on his way to the win.
(Getty images)
Jackie Stewart during the 1973 F1 season. He would capture his third - and last - World Championship.
British Grand Prix, Silverstone, July 12, 1971. Jackie Stewart (No. 12 ELF Team Tyrrell/Tyrrell 003 Ford Cosworth DFV V8) on his way to the win.
(Getty images)Jackie Stewart during the 1973 F1 season. He would capture his third - and last - World Championship.
(Getty Images)
Stewart was absolutely brilliant during the 1971 Can-Am season. Wheeling the evil-handling, short wheelbase Carl Haas Racing L&M Lola T260 Chevrolet, Jackie gave Team McLaren fits, winning twice and being a force to be reckoned with in almost every race.
(Bob Harmeyer/Getty Images)
Stewart put on a show in the 1971 Can-Am Series, taking that Lola T260 by the scruff of the neck and willing it to victory. It remains one of my all-time favorite racing memories.
Stewart was absolutely brilliant during the 1971 Can-Am season. Wheeling the evil-handling, short wheelbase Carl Haas Racing L&M Lola T260 Chevrolet, Jackie gave Team McLaren fits, winning twice and being a force to be reckoned with in almost every race.
(Bob Harmeyer/Getty Images)Stewart put on a show in the 1971 Can-Am Series, taking that Lola T260 by the scruff of the neck and willing it to victory. It remains one of my all-time favorite racing memories.
(Getty Images)
Jackie Stewart in his No. 1 Carl Haas Racing L&M Lola T260 Chevrolet at Road America.
(Getty Images)
Jackie Stewart got the call from Jim Hall to debut the Chaparral 2J Chevrolet at the Watkins Glen Can-Am in 1970. He qualified third, but the radical machine suffered teething troubles and he did not finish.
Jackie Stewart in his No. 1 Carl Haas Racing L&M Lola T260 Chevrolet at Road America.
(Getty Images)Jackie Stewart got the call from Jim Hall to debut the Chaparral 2J Chevrolet at the Watkins Glen Can-Am in 1970. He qualified third, but the radical machine suffered teething troubles and he did not finish.
(Getty Images)
Jackie Stewart in his 1969 F1 Championship-winning Matra MS80 Cosworth DFV V8 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2019.
Jackie Stewart in his 1969 F1 Championship-winning Matra MS80 Cosworth DFV V8 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2019.
Editor's Note: You can access previous issues of AE by clicking on "Next 1 Entries" below. - WG