Remembering Francois Cevert ♥ | The Most Exciting Man in France | Sky F1 Documentary 

I'm 77 years old. I was 27 and, unlike most Americans and even American motor racing fans, a follower and huge fan of Formula 1. I was absolutely crushed when Jim Clark was killed. But somehow I was even more crushed when Francois Cevert was killed. Maybe it was because of so much promise unfulfilled. Maybe it was Francois was who we all wanted to be. Ridiculously talented (I remembered the story of him playing Chopin on the piano in the lobby of a hotel where a lot of the drivers were staying), ridiculously good looking yet never generating resentments commonly displayed by others so jealous, and those eyes that you could not help but notice. 50 years later, watching this brief documentary, it still brought tears to my eyes.

He was a fundamental influence on my life.....met him as an 11 year old at Mosport....my father had a pit pass and I spent a couple of hours watching him and the Tyrrell mechanics sorting gearbox issues on his and Stewart's cars....he was generous with his time for a young boy and on race day, winked at me from the cockpit.....I was then a committed Cevert fan and begged my father to take me to Watkins Glen two weeks later....I remember the open tears amongst fans and my feelings of shock that he was gone...and the long, silent ride home to Toronto in the car, watching the scenery pass....and thinking that death was real, not something on TV. A turning point. Didn't follow F1 in 1974, but came back in 1975.....but the loss of my hero was something important. Can't believe it's been 50 years

Francois Cevert: truly a man’s man. He had the look, the eyes, the voice, the talent, he had it all; I think that legendary 1976 F1 season would’ve been MUCH different had he survived; RIP Francois.

Still has the most intense eye line of any driver

A tragedy how Cevert died but the work which Stewart did to improve the safety in motorsport was such a tribute. The 1970 March Tyrrell is at the British motor museum where I work and I often talk to visitors about these two.

9:14 - "I could miss gears as well, I didn't want to pass you because you missed a gear or because you made a mistake. I want to pass you when I'm better than you." - Francois Cevert They don't make them like this anymore, now-a-days your teammate (metaphorically) will kill you in your sleep if it means that they can place better than you.

Thank you for this beautiful tribute. Rest in Peace François. We love you forever.

Francois had one of the most beautiful helmet designs, ever!! RIP. Thank you Sky F1 for this episode.

Farewell François, you will never be forgotten

I remember his crash to this day. Over more than 28 years of involvement in motorsports, there are only three other on track deaths that have touched me as deeply. He was a driver on the cusp of greatness, but motor racing has always been a fickle mistress. Missed, but never forgotten!

On of those drivers who was lost to us and who still makes you wonder what we lost out on

François will always bring attention, he's magnetic. Sir Jackie is a fantastic living legacy. He has lived through so much on and off the track, with friends and family. He deserves to enjoy his retirement.

I only learnt about him recently. What a beautiful looking man. Having read some comments from people who were there his death was horrific. Poor Jackie having to see his remains must have been sickening.

A horrendous death which I won't elaborate on but I loved how the cars handled in the 70s (pre 78 obviously). Even smoothies like Jackie were sliding through most corners and Ronnie was something else. If they could combine that with today's safety it would be great.

What a team, what a team mate. RIP Francois.

My favorite driver of all time.

4:04 - I wonder if Jo Ramirez ever had a talk with Senna after his infamous interview with Sir Jackie in Adelaide after the race in Suzuka 1990, to explain to him firsthand why Jackie felt the way he did about safety and what he had personally witnessed over the course of his professional career, to maybe offer Senna a unique perspective a few years earlier.

Cevert was a rising star with a bright future ahead! : Regretably a most unfortunate freak accident cut his days short! : RIP

RIP Francois never ever forgotten.

I was at the Glen that awful day. I will never forget the absolute silence which took over the track. And then the sadness which still persists.

not passing a driver for missing a gear gentleman like conducts like that will never happen today sad but true

The Prince of F1.

What a guy, what a life, which he loved and he died instantly, doing what he loved the most and without knowing he was dying. There's much to envy.

The age of the Gentleman racer, could you imagine today's drivers teaching their teammate all they know, such a loss RIP

His younger brother first heard of his death from television. He went to tell the family in the other room "Francois died". He did some racing also but not on the same level.

Fantastic film. Always been fascinated by Francois and sad how quickly it ended for him with such a terrible accident. Thanks to @skysportsF1 for keeping his memory alive with films like this.

francois. forever remembered as a young man

So sad i am old enough to remember this talented young man,what a tragic loss!

50 anos de saudade sem fim.

Even 50 years later JYS doesn't really want to talk about what he saw that day

What great people. What great race drivers. What a great story.

Francois was definitely cut out for the f1 life of the 60’s and 70’s he liked his ladies was fearless and a talented driver that was taken too soon 🙏

thanks for this beautiful tribute!

Lovely tribute Jackie, what a shame.

A great video, really great to hear more about him.

From a time when there was proper respect between teammates

Thank you for this lovely tribute

I watched his story by an Italian RU-vidr, it made me so sad, life cut short so fast.

I was the.there.....50 years ago..Sad..RIP Francois

I remember that dark day well. I was walking around the track taking pictures of the cars going around, when suddenly it all stopped and became very quiet, then I found out the reason…

One of the worst fatal f1 crashes

I WAS THERE THAT DAY AT WATKINS GLEN, AND OF COURSE WILL NEVER FORGET THE SHOCK AROUND THAT RACE TRACK. HE WAS SO DYNAMIC, SO FULL OF LIFE AND ONE HECK OF A DRIVER. I RECALL THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF STEWART DROPPING OUT OF THE UPCOMING RACE, BUT OF COURSE IT WAS VERY UNDERSTANDABLE. HE DID THE RIGHT THING. RIP MR. CEVERT. SURELY THEY HAVE GOLDEN PAVED FORMULA 1 TRACKS IN HEAVEN.

Jackie did a lot for f1 I hope we never have another death in f 1

Opens Roads François, 🏁 Remembering you... 50 years gone today x 💙

François cevert era um anjo lindo e voltou pra o céu ❤

Merci de perpétuer sa mémoire 👍

He dies in my 17th birthday, because I’m born in 1956/10/06 RIP Francois! 🙏

Rest in peace.

People compare drivers of different eras in some hope of justifying to themselves who they think is the best. This era of F1 was so much about 'one mistake and you are dead' that to be champion three times back then was such an achievement that we cannot really quantify it. Stewart was not only one of the greats, he won in a dangerous era, made few mistakes, and worked tirelessly to make the sport safer for everyone. Cevert never got the chance to prove himself, a tragedy in itself, but he will always be remembered and celebrated for the person he was, and he certainly lit up the circus of F1 back then. RIP Francois.

Just a better class of character in those days.

A talent that was taken too soon - very much like Stefan Bellof 😢

Thank you.

He was cool and great driver… He was Rock Star cool dude…

Thank you

Cevert. Bloody hell.

In one sense a tragic waste of a talented racing driver,and a well rounded human being.But no one knows the danger more than the driver this is what he wanted to do with his life RIP

"Uno debe elegir: Dirigir tu vida, disfrutando y haciendo algo que puede llegar a matarte, o hacer otra cosa que te aburra. Yo no estoy dispuesto a aburrirme" "Me tomaría más valor dejar de correr que el que me toma seguir haciéndolo" "Disfruto con todos los momentos de mi vida, es casi increíble. Hay muy pocas cosas de las que debo hacer que no me gusten. De momento, soy el hombre más feliz del mundo” "Conducía como si estuviese en el infierno y no pensaba lo suficiente. Jackie me enseñó cómo se debe analizar un auto, cómo se debe pensar cuando se maneja, la visión que se debe tener. Él hizo toda mi educación" "En las carreras no hay lugar para las lágrimas. Siguen a pesar de las tragedias" François Cevert "Llegué y me quedé paralizado por el horror, había humo y vapor por todas partes… y allí, todavía atrapado por el cinturón de seguridad, estaba mi compañero de equipo, mi protegido, mi amigo, mi hermano pequeño... Estaba muerto" "Poco a poco, François se estaba volviendo más y más fuerte en carrera. Era obvio que hubiese acabado siendo campeón del mundo. Era suficientemente bueno como para ganarme, tenía ambición, y habría acabado siendo el número 1 del equipo" "Algunas personas lo consideraban un playboy. Le gustaba vestir con estilo, y una vez llegó a mostrar una presencia espectacular cuando se presentó con un abrigo de piel hasta las rodillas y un collar de peces. Le expliqué todo lo que sabía. La relación funcionó porque él tenía poca experiencia y muchas ganas. Muchos pilotos se contentan con servirse del talento natural que Dios les dio; pocas veces tienen que esforzarse más allá de lo que les han dado. Pero, para los realmente buenos, eso es solo una base" Jackie Stewart "En un GP de Holanda, Stewart lideraba, con Cevert detrás y Jackie perdió una marcha. François no quiso adelantarle, porque quería ganar por habilidad, no porque tuviese un problema" "François era un hombre del que era difícil no sentirse cerca. Estaba lleno de vida, amado por las mujeres. Parecía más una estrella de cine o un rico playboy que un piloto, pero era realmente un piloto muy bueno. Un hombre de muchos talentos" "Había un camión que iba a salir hacia la zona del accidente. Iba a subirme, pero Jody Scheckter, que acababa de volver al pit lane, me gritó: ‘¡No vayas! ¡Ni se te ocurra!’ Entonces, el corazón se hundió en mi pecho" "El accidente ocurrió el sábado 6, el número del auto era el 6, el chasis era el 006 y el motor era el 066. No soy supersticioso. Sin embargo cuando volvimos a Inglaterra y se mandó el motor a Cosworth para revisarlo. Los mecánicos lo desarmaron y pusieron el block sobre un banco de trabajo. Sorpresivamente, ellos vieron esta enorme y pesada masa de aluminio moverse del banco y golpear contra el piso (...) Por las caras de los dos mecánicos, había que creer que algo había pasado, casi como si François estuviera tratando de decir algo" Jo Ramírez "Cuando salió a pista por última vez, me dijo ‘Pondré el auto en la pole’. Era así de decidido. Los momentos posteriores a su accidente fuero durísimos. Estuve a punto de dejar la competición" Ken Tyrrell "El día que murió Cevert fue uno de los más tristes de mi carrera" Emerson Fittipaldi "Cuando fui a poner flores en la pista de Watkins Glen en el 40° aniversario de la muerte de Cevert se estaba disputando una carrera amateur. En el momento en que yo estaba investigando en qué lugar se había despistado, una rueda se salió de un auto y fue a pegar contra la malla de protección exactamente en ese lugar. Jackie Stewart ha dicho que, para aquellos que creen, el espíritu de Cevert estaba rondando y haciéndose notar" Connie Ann Kirk "François, hijo de un joyero tenía la pureza de un diamante. Si su trayectoria no se hubiera quebrado contra una barrera, en 1974 hubiese sido el primer francés campeón del mundo en la historia de la Fórmula 1" Xavier Chimits "Pilotos legendarios de la Fórmula 1" página 144. Edimat Libros, 2007. "Jackie, Ferrari me hizo una oferta. Algún día tengo que seguir mi camino, y tu relación con Ken es tan buena que quizás nunca pueda ganarte. Tengo que buscar otro equipo" François Cevert a Jackie Stewart días antes del Gran Premio de Canadá 1973 Saludos desde Venezuela

Great driver! The barriers at Watkins Glen were ridiculous for F1 cars. 🏁

Terribly sad. JYS an international treasure.

His fatal crash is similar to what happened with Grosjean 3 years ago.

The accident of Winkelhock from about 30 years ago still remains a mystery when he crashed into a concrete wall

I had just started racing single craters that year. Was at the Glen and waiting to go thru the Tunnel to the infield when Francois crashed . Saw the car come over the barrier. Such a sad day. I think he would have been the First French World Champion the following year.

50 years today. As the song goes -'Who knows where the time goes?''. Sadly, it was all so avoidable - he was pushing far too hard for pole, very possibly because he feared being replaced at Tyrrell for 1974, and shouldn't even have raced that weekend because of the bad injuries to his ankles in a big shunt in Canada in the previous GP.

AMOR ETERNO 😢💔💗💕💘

Its a big lost.. he will be probably the First French World Champion RIP Legend 😢😢😢😢

13:54 Because of that shorter wheelbase the car was more sensitive to a higher revving engine. Taking the Esses a gear higher with a lower revving engine (so around the same speed but with less RPM) would make the car more stable.

Ah the swinging 60'sw/70s when Jackie Stewart would pick his teammate cause he wanted his super hot sister around!!!

When was this broadcast? Mark Hughes isn't with Autosport now.

Cevert hatte eine unglaubliche Ausstrahlung. Sein Tod war eine Tragödie. Er wäre Frankreichs erster F1 Weltmeister geworden.

. Pianiste & Fast..🙄⚡🌿

Happy birthday Francois, 25 february

The circumstances of Cevert’s death due to the car penetrating the Armco barriers are bad enough but it is nothing short of scandalous that Helmuth Koinigg died in just the same way at the same circuit the following year.

Alguns pontos que gostaria de contribuir, onde vou escrever bem pouco no que diz no campo espiritual, que foi onde em um grupo espírita francês foi citado sobre ele e sua missão, mas principalmente no campo esportivo que é pertinente ao canal. Sou de 1980, mas no programa GRANDES MOMENTOS DO ESPORTE foi onde vi ele pela primeira vez, 1º em um documentário falando sobre acidentes na F1 no início dos anos 90, onde falo que a TV em preto-e-branco aparecendo sua imagem com aqueles olhos azuis me assustaram e impactaram, mas em 1993 nos 20 anos de sua partida no mesmo programa e com narração do Celso Miranda, ali quis saber mais sobre ele mesmo sem a internet o que foi difícil mas consegui como disse com o tempo e por ligações espirituais. Só nessa parte, quero falar que o grande amor da sua vida se chamava “Ninou”, e por meio de uma cartomante ela soube que o grande amor de sua vida não chegaria aos 30 anos, e que ele também já tinha uma noção disso quase que como um Jimi Hendrix ou Jim Morrison das pistas, hoje Ninou tem em seu acervo e tenho em jpeg´s. Imagens de seu cartão de crédito, passaporte e agenda pessoal planejando o que fazer após WG e a chave de seu último dormitório. Sua casa também pelo google maps é possível ver, hoje é uma rua comercial. Voltando ao âmbito esportivo gostaira de confirmar com informações que teria que vasculhar meus arquivos mas creio que se encontra na internet mas que fiquem a vontade em corrigir de forma respeitosa. - A globo não levou equipe para a corrida pois como estava definida o campeonato era necessário pensar no orçamento, além do “Galvão Bueno” da época morrer em um desastre aéreo. Júlio Delamare. - Se cogitou que ele também poderia estar de ressaca no dia, na noite anterior ele ficou até tarde com Jackie, Helen e seu cunhado falando desde Muhammad Ali, férias e sobre a “passagem do cetro”. O casal saiu antes e Cevert ficou com JP Beltoise mais um pouco no hall. -Em 1974 estava sendo desenhado um 3º piloto mas que saindo Jackie se tornaria o “pupilo” de Cevert, juro não lembrar o nome e a categoria creio que alguma fórmula inglesa, mas ele também morreu degolado em uma corrida, no caso foi em árvores. - Tenho em VHS, reportagens de Emerson Fittipaldi isso em 2008,9 por aí ele falando do Cevert no Amauri Jr e mesmo assim ainda arrancou lágrimas tamanho o carinho, a F1 a morte era uma companheira, mas Cevert foi o 1º que todo o circo sentiu, tem um relato do JP Beltoise falando sobre como foi recolher os pertences dele, como disse, hoje parte no acervo de Ninou. -Outra Citação que vi e tem no youtube foi do “pofexô” Vanderlei Luxemburgo em 1997 citando ele como motivo para assistir as corridas e do Gil Brother “away” onde em um podcast falou de grandes pilotos e falou de nomes como: Reggazoni, Peterson, Giovanni Salvatti e François Cevert. É isso, não sou de fazer textão, mas não posso deixar de contribuir e falar de alguém que como disse, não se trata de falar apenas de um piloto, em outros fóruns falo do homem, do ser de Luz e de sua missão em outros planos. Mas aqui é o grande François Cevert, que em um ano muito cabuloso levou gênios como Jarno Saarinen e Bruce Lee. Abs. a todos.

i belive that another french driver few years before he would have the same almost accindent and the same result.but he was lucky becouse HALLO save his life at bahrain.grozian his name.

Car 6, engine number 6, driver number 6, 6th of October nah that’s a bad omen if I’ve ever heard on

One of many sad stories of unfulfilled talent in F1 around that time.. far too many gone too soon

" unfortunately he got into a corner " too hot " then the car got " off line " and the backend hit the guard rail sending him out of control !: rip

Is it true that his head got decapitated when he went through the barrier?

Good driver, though had he lived, in my opinion I think he would have struggled to become a world champion, he had great driving ability but really benefited from Stewart's presence in setting up the car. The fighting racer instinct in him also didnt seem to be consistent or as strong compared with other racers at that time and from 74 and onwards the likes of Fittipaldi, Scheckter Andretti, Peterson, Hunt, Lauda were either on the scene or coming onto the scene. Personally I dont think his ability would have got the better over those racers for a championship.

I was born 18 years after he died, but what a waste

This was nice. Sky Sports might be woke nonsense but occasionally they can do. something worthwhile

He answered that by winning the sprint race the next day

What in the world?

Reminder to all of us to be right with God at all times because you never know when it's your time to go... and you're not guaranteed to be given a chance for final repentance.

François Cevert was a French citizen of Jewish ancestry during NSDAP occupation of France. His birth name was Albert Goldenberg. Had this name change not happened, he likely would have ended up in a concentration camp. How F1 history would differ without this young talented driver?? Did you know this?

Oh, Mon Dieu!,,don' let tha' nancy boy, Macron' see this..she think she tha' mos' exciting..est vrai, non?..

Sorry but Jackie has always had a weird obsession with the cevert’s beauty.

Formula one drivers of today are very selfish and lack humility, they could learn a lot from people like Francois and Jackie.

Stewart knew that the badly mounted guardreils in Watkins Glen were dangerous. He did nothing to change that.

This guys death stopped 10000 children being conceived . A moments silence for those that could have been

Francois was playing around with evil...He saw a Medium, he was living in sin (girlfriends galore), he thought that 666 was a good thing 😢. He was doomed. I really liked him, he had potential, but he was messing around with evil... The wages of sin is death.

I liked his decapitation in Rush

Exciting ? He’s dead !

He had a big nose, bad teeth and frizzy hair.

Can’t have been that exciting… he was French