Description
By: Schlegelmilch, Paul Parker .
The ten years from 1 January 1970 to 31 December 1979 changed the world of motor racing — and particularly Formula 1 — for ever. The cars evolved from being 'cigar tubes wrapped around aluminium fuel tanks' to something far more sophisticated. The increasing influence of wings and other aerodynamic developments, together with the development by Firestone and Goodyear of slick tyres, raised speeds to new levels.
In tandem with the relative stability offered by the longevity of the 3-litre formula, plus the ready availability of the Cosworth DFV, was the arrival of a generation of exceptionally talented drivers. The decade was intensely competitive and gave us winners such as Jochen Rindt, Jackie Stewart, 'Clay' Regazzoni, Jacky Ickx, Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt, Carlos Reutemann, Ronnie Peterson, Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter, Mario Andretti, Gilles Villeneuve, Jacques Laffite, John Watson, Alan Jones and many others. The book features little-known drivers as well as the greats, and captures the early years of Formula 1 giants like Frank Williams, Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley.
In 1962, Rainer Schlegelmilch could hardly have guessed that his attendance at the Nurburgring 1000kms at the behest of a friend would be the beginning of a career that still flourishes today, over 40 years later. He is now one of the most widely acclaimed and recognised motor racing photographers of all time and this book celebrates his talent with more than 300 photographs, all in colour and most of them never previously published.
Paul Parker is the author of Jaguar at Le Mans 1950-1995. He writes about, photographs and occasionally drives historic racing cars for Jaguar World Monthly and has also
been published in Motor Sport, Classic Cars, the Daily Telegraph, Octane and Forza!