For Jackie Stewart, safety has always been fundamental. Thanks to his efforts, Formula 1 changed forever and has become far safer than it was in the past. Stewart has never hidden how dangerous the old days of Formula 1 truly were. In an interview with Davide Cironi, he stated:
“I lost 57 friends while I was racing. It was simply ridiculous. The cars were getting faster, but the circuits stayed the same.”
Circuits were no longer safe: Stewart felt compelled to act
Nürburgring and Spa were technical masterpieces, but they were also unmanageable from a safety perspective. Stewart openly questioned their viability.
“How can you guarantee safety with 187 corners?” he asked. “It’s impossible to have doctors and marshals everywhere.”
As president of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, Jackie Stewart decided it was time to take action.
“We had to change the sport, even if it was unpopular.”
The consequences were immediate and severe.
“I received death threats. The economy of some regions depended on Formula 1, but it was the right thing to do. Today it is probably the safest sport in the world. More people die horse riding than in Formula 1. Today the cockpit is a survival cell. The tracks are better. Medical response is immediate. We were racing sitting on a fuel tank.”
Formula 1 is different today in many other ways as well
Stewart also reflected on how the human side of the paddock has changed over time.
“We used to be a family: we went on holiday together, we raced together. Today everything is different: private jets, helicopters, huge motorhomes. It’s another world. It’s bigger, more professional, more global. The rarity made everything more special. Today the sport is better managed. It’s stronger than ever.”
The most emotional moment of Davide Cironi’s interview concerns Helen, Jackie Stewart’s wife.
“She now has dementia. There is no cure, but I want to change things.”
This is how Race Against Dementia was born.
“Formula 1 supports us,” he explained. “We use this sport to fund young researchers.”
A new challenge, perhaps the hardest of all.
“This is the biggest battle of my life,” Stewart admitted.
Leave a Reply