Adventurous spirit
Dropped out of school, driving without a licence, and having a great bunch of fun – that was Jochen Rindt’s youth. Born in Germany and raised by his grandparents in Austria, Rindt demonstrated his skills behind the wheel. Together with Helmut Marko, Jochen competed in clandestine night races until the man who would later become Red Bull’s talent scout wrecked his father’s car. Yet, their friendship led to success. Rindt went on to secure first victories, and Formula 2 became his main stage. Competing against the most talented F1 drivers at the time, Jochen shone and won 29 races throughout his career. Then, at the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans, he and his team-mate Masten Gregory performed an impressive comeback, and the pair won in an underpowered car, leaving everyone in awe.
Speed and price
Fearless and fast – that was Jochen Rindt in a nutshell. From his F1 debut in 1964 and first full season in 1965, his driving style was praised by the press. However, after four years, he had failed to secure a victory with either Cooper or Brabham. So in 1969, he made the decision of his life by switching to Lotus. Colin Chapman’s team was in contention for winning races, but had a serious flaw. The cars were fragile and dangerous. Rindt viewed the partnership as ‘commercial’, had no trust in the team, and put it this way: “At Lotus, I can either be WORLD CHAMPION, or die.” As early as the second race of the season, he suffered a broken nose and jaw, as well as a concussion, during a crash in which two marshals were also injured. Rindt was furious with Chapman and began to consider retiring from the sport, with quicker vehicles intensifying risks.
Danke
Ultimately, the Austrian achieved his first triumph at Watkins Glen. 1970 began as a rollercoaster ride. Out of four GRAND PRIX, he finished one, winning it. He was then able to capitalise on the potential of the new Lotus 72. Four consecutive victories paved him the way to clinch the title on home soil. He retired, but had another chance at Monza. During qualifying, whilst braking for the Parabolica, Rindt suddenly crashed into the guard rail. The steering column then crushed his sternum, and the slackening seatbelts cut into his throat. He died a few minutes later. The cause of the tragedy was determined to be a brake failure, which caused Rindt to lose control. In the turbulent course of the championship, only Jacky Ickx could have taken the lead in the standings, but he failed to secure sufficient results. Jochen Rindt is the only driver to have been posthumously crowned FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPION. Jochen, alongside Jackie Stewart and Joakim Bonnier, had been an outspoken advocate for safety in motor racing. His nickname ‘Dynamite’, thanks to his heavy right foot, perfectly captures his explosive driving, which marked the ascent of Austrian motorsport.
