Clay Regazzoni's operatic F1 career
Consider the following. "I have to say that what I saw that day at Monza was unethical, unsporting and dangerous. It was the start of a breakdown of discipline among…
Very few Italians would be inclined to acknowledge it, but the unique competition record of the Alfa 158, the original Alfetta, arguably owes as much to the rise of National…
The scene is unforgettable, probably the most famous single motor-racing image ever taken. It is of Fangio, sliding his dented Maserati 250F, striking a pose that seemed to define car…
There’s a glimmer of recognition in his eyes as he walks towards me. We first met in 1978 when he came to England with his Formula 3 team, fresh from…
At his first attempt, Jacques Villeneuve has already enjoyed a more successful Grand Prix year than his legendary father, Gilles, ever did notwithstanding the four-and-a-bit years Villeneuve Snr spent dazzling…
“I always loved speed,” said Gilles Villeneuve. "My father used to drive very quickly he used to get stopped by the police quite often, I remember and, from being five…
Charles Frederick William Grover was virtually unknown outside historic motor racing circles — until very recently. To prewar racing buffs, he was best known as the mysterious British winner of…
Death fully defines a man. Potential for things not yet done no longer exists." Someone said this in a book about jazz great Eric Dolphy, but it applies universally to…
In April 1929 the streets of Monte Carlo resounded for the first time to the sound and sight of Grand Prix motor racing. The Riviera resort for the very rich…
There are numerous cars greater than the sum of all their parts. There are few, though, infinitely greater. And this is one of them. From its Unipart-sourced pressure cap to…
Niki Lauda is a legend. There is no other word for it. This is the man who cheated death, was given the last rites and went on to win a…
He smiles in a manner that appears more resigned than amused. It’s clear that Ian Ashley has heard the same question in various guises all his professional life. “Ah, the…
X stood for experimental, G for Guinness; same manufacturer, but, as you might have already guessed, radically different mindsets. X had its eye on the midterm future, was – or…
It's March 24 1993, and the team that coincidentally shares its name with that calendar month finally withdraws from the Formula One World Championship, unable to pay for the Ilmor…
One evening, several years ago, and over a degustivo or two, Jenks was reminiscing about the Mille Miglia. "I've often thought," he said, "what fun it would have been to…
1970 Formula Two Championship, Montjuich Park, Barcelona Everyone always assumes that when I choose my best ever race I would come up with something from sportscars or Formula One, but…
The arguments about who is the greatest racing driver of all time have gone on as long as motor racing itself, and, no doubt, they always will. But the truth…