Jochen Rindt - a true F1 Champion! His demise at Monza just 33 days later due to mechanical failure under tragic circumstances will not be forgotten by many fans of the golden era of Motorsport.
I was at Hockenheim in 1988, while stationed in Bamberg, W. Germany (also Army). Normally a wet race would even the odds for the field to fight for positions, but those goddamned McLarens ran away with another race. Prost even spun twice at the _'Ost Kurve'_ (where I was at) and still finished 2nd. Boring race, but the sights, *(especially) the sounds* and watching the event with an Italian family made it all worth while. Treasured memories...
So hauntingly beautiful - B&W footage with natural sound. This mere 15min. of elation capsuled in the vast array of the history of motor racing's testimony of man and machine against the simple element of time, is something that will lay the conclusion that this was indeed a sport. It is undoubtedly certain that we shall never again witness such extraordinary events as these. Technology compensating for possible driver miscues, political unhinging of basic principles and concepts, and the incomprehensible demise of traditional venues for lack of funding or environmental issues - appears to have created the inevitable demise of something considered to be sacred by so many. I loved Silverstone, the original Spa, Österreichring, Paul Richard & Zandvoort. But, somehow, with all due respect to the aforementioned, I found Hockenheim and Monza to be the pinnacles of speed & beauty, exhibited by so many opportunities of uninterrupted slipstreaming with heavy braking to follow. I am just grateful those days existed and that they were captured on film accordingly.
Almost 75% of the drivers on this 21-car grid were either GP winners or WCs by the end of 1972. Only Oliver, Stommelen, Miles, Pescarolo and - of course - the unlucky Amon were destined never to visit the top step of the podium. Contrast that percentage with the now-standard 20-car grid of today, and I think you'll find the stats are generally the same, but skewed in the exact opposite direction.
Note Denny Hulme didn't go on the podium ? I do remember his Dad was a ww2 vet and was highly honoured , Denny wasn't called the bear for nothing and would stick to his principles
