Formula One Madness: The 1970s Quiz

Answer: Jack Brabham

In the race, Brabham was running in third when he was forced to retire due to engine failure. 1970 was best remembered for being the year Jochen Rindt became the first posthumous World Champion. It also saw the deaths of Piers Courage at the Dutch Grand Prix, and Bruce McClaren, McClaren team founder, in an accident whilst testing his CanAm car at Goodwood.

Answer: He caused an accident which resulted in the death of another driver

At the preseason Buenos Aires 1000 sports car race, in January 1971, Beltoise crashed into the car of Ferrari driver Ignazio Giunti, which resulted in Giunti's death. Some argued Beltoise's punishment was too lenient.

Answer: Brabham-Ford

Wilson Fittipaldi raced in Formula One for three seasons, in 1972/3 for Brabaham, scoring points on two occasions. In 1975 raced for his own team, Fittipaldi (Copersucar). It was to this team that Emerson Fittipaldi, younger brother of Wilson, made his ill-fated move in 1976 after two succesful title winning campaigns. Until Ralf Schumacher finished 3rd at the Argentinian Grand Prix of 1997, Wilson, with 3 points to his name, was the most succesful sibling of a Formula One World Champion.

Answer: His teammate had been killed in practice

During Saturday practice for the U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, New York, Jackie Stewart's teammate, Francois Cevert, suffered fatal injuries after crashing into the barriers. Stewart, a three-time World Champion, chose to drop out of the race. Team Tyrell later followed suit as a mark of respect for the late Cevert.

Answer: Niki Lauda

1974 proved reliabilty and consistant points scoring meant everything. The World Champion that year, Emerson Fittipaldi, was the not the man with the most race wins. That was Ronnie Peterson. The man who led the most race laps, that was Nikki Lauda. Fittipaldi only won twice in a 15-race season, and led 77 out of 979 laps, making him the 6th most regular leader that season.

Answer: Rolf Stommelen

The GPDA did not feel the barriers on the track were satisfactory and refused to race until adequate improvements were made. This meant Jackie Ickx was the only top driver practicing on Friday as the others had gone on strike. Despite last minute improvements drivers were still not happy. One of them, Emerson Fittipaldi, insisted on driving the minium three laps needed to qualify slowly. On race day worst fears were confirmed when Rolf Stommelen crashed into the barriers, the car flew over into the crowd killing five spectators and seriously injuring Stommelen. November 1975 saw the death of Graham Hill in a light aircraft crash.

Answer: It had 6 wheels

The idea behind the Tyrrell P34 was that the more rubber on track the more stable the car would be. It proved fairly competitive, the team ending the year in 3rd in the Constructors Championship, having secured a one-two finish at the Swedish Grand Prix. However by 1977, the team had deemed it uncompetitive and switched back to four wheels.

Answer: Tom Pryce

A marshall, 19 year old Jansen Van Vuuren, was running accross the track carrying a fire extinguisher, to attend to the Shadow of Renzo Zorzi which had burst into flames. Pryce, unable to see the marshall from where he was, hit Van Vuuren at well over 150 mph.

He died instantly after the extinguisher was dropped on his head. Van Vuuren also died instantly. His death was only noted after all marshalls were summoned and he could not be found.

Answer: Riccardo Patrese

Riccardo Patrese, most famous for competing in 257 races, had the blame placed on him for the tragic event. He was forced to sit out of the American Grand Prix after being refused entry by the orgainisers.

Answer: Best 4 scores from each half of the season

Until 1991, drivers were only allowed to count a certain number of scores towards their World Championship total. This has varied over the years.