“I like to get it sorted out before the start of the season and then leave it alone. I don't know enough about car design to make any major changes, and I think there are very few drivers who do." These words were of Jochen Rindt, who is more renowned as the only person till date to win the Formula One Championships posthumously.

After having ruled the Formula 2 circuit, he had to wait four long years before he could make a mark in Formula One. Under Colin Chapman's team, he began to flourish as Lotus became a dominant feature in late 1970's.

Chapman was more known for his innovation with engines, car set up and never took a backstep in trying new things each race. This was contrasting when compared to Rindt, and this often led to many disagreements. Nevertheless, they forged a great partnership in the year 1970 when Jochen Rindt challenged Jackie Stewart, the 1969 World Champion and the innovative Ferrari's.

He announced his arrival on the F1 stage, quite late to be honest, courtesy of a last corner win at the Monaco GP and as season progressed, he went on to win four more races thereby sitting comfortably in the leader board of the world championships.

The scene was set for Jochen Rindt to extend his lead in world championships as teams reached Monza for the Italian Grand Prix. In the practice session, Jochen Rindt met with an accident when he lost control of his Lotus 72 at the 'Parabolica' (the name of a turn in Monza) and died shortly after that. The race was won by the Swiss Ferrari driver 'Clay Reggazoni', which happened to be his first grand prix victory.

It was a blow for Lotus and Colin Chapman in general, as the team had lost the two time world champion Jim Clark two years earlier in a fatal accident. However, a minimal joy for the Lotus team came when Rindt's teammate 'Emerson Fittipaldi' won the last race thereby ensured the lead remained with Rindt. As a result, Jochen Rindt became the first and till date the only driver to have won the world championship posthumously.

"I plan to go on driving as long as I enjoy it, but I don't want to feel I am dependent on 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 have had enough." 

He was married to a Finnish model Nina Lincoln, daughter of famous Finnish racer Curt Lincoln. She collected the championship trophy and to add twist to their tale, it was learned that he had promised her of quitting F1 once he become a world champion.

PROFILE JOCHEN RINDT

Few excerpts from the 1968 Autosport interview of Jochen Rindt

About the Editor:
Rajan T R is a Candidate Master of Advanced Studies in Sports Technology and Administration at AISTS, Lausanne, Switzerland