2021-07-08 07:00:00
From the depths of distant Siberia where I am covering the Silk Way Rally, I learned some very sad news but one that I had been expecting in recent weeks (See link)
LAUDA-REUTEMANN-Ferrari-312-T2-1977-©-Manfred-GIET
The former brilliant Argentinian pilot Carlos Reutemann has died, and as with his illustrious predecessor, the unforgettable Juan-Manuel Fangio, Argentina mourns one of its greatest pilots.
Carlos Reutemann was indeed one of the best drivers of his generation in Formula 1, but also in endurance prototype sports, a discipline where he particularly shone with Scuderia Ferrari in the 1970s-1980s, before continue his brilliant career in politics, notably becoming governor of his state in Sante Fé.
In F1, Carlos drove for the Brabham teams from 1972 to 1975, Ferrari from 1976 to 1978, Lotus in 1979 and finally Williams from 1980 to 1982. Winning twelve Grands Prix
He died in Rosario this Wednesday, July 7, at the age of 79, having been born on April 12, 1942.
The handsome Carlos, nicknamed ‘El Lole’, almost came close to being crowned Formula 1 World Champion, twenty-four years after the last title of his compatriot Juan Manuel Fangio, obtained in 1957.
He actually missed it by a tiny, tiny little point, because he was beaten by the Brazilian Nelson Piquet, who pocketed the first of his three titles.
The very famous HOTEL CAËSAR-PALACE IN LAS VEGAS. Photo Bernard BAKALIAN
We were there that day, the United States Grand Prix concluded the 1981 season, an incredible event, imagine a GP… disputed in the parking lot of one of the most majestic casinos in Nevada in Las Vegas, Sunday October 17, 1981, the Caësar’Palace.
At the start, there were 3 vying to try to obtain the world title: Piquet-Reutemann and the Frenchman from Ligier, Jacques Laffite.
Carlos Reutemann, with 49 points, Nelson Piquet with 48 points, and Jacques Laffite with 43 points.
F1- THE START OF THE LAS VEGAS GP Photo: Bernard BAKALIAN
Finally, at the finish of this extraordinary event won by the Williams-Ford Cosworth of Australian Alan Jones, the reigning Champion, crowned in 1980 who triumphed ahead of the Renault Turbo of Frenchman Alain Prost and the Alfa Romeo of Italian Bruno Giacomelli, Nelson Piquet ranked fifth at the wheel of his Brabham-Ford Cosworth ahead of Jacques Laffite six, he with his Ligier-Matra V12, and Reutemann only eighth with his Williams-Ford Cosworth, it was the Brabham driver who collected the world crown!
By scoring two points while Reutemann scores none and Laffite only one, Piquet wins the title, the first of his three World Champion titles, ultimately totaling 50 points against 49 for the Argentinian, 46 for the winner of the day Alan Jones, 44 to Laffite and 43 to Alain Prost
CHARADE HEROES 2018 – PIERRE DUPASQUIER -Photo AUTONEWSINFO
The former boss of the competition department at Michelin, Pierre Dupasquier remembers :
The soul of Carlos Reuteman has joined the paradise of pilots who died in their beds. He was undoubtedly the F1 driver with whom I had the most emotional professional relationship. Carlos was an emotional, worried and perfectionist Argentinian.
I remember his wife, Mimicha, telling me one morning at GP: “He bothered me all night walking up and down the room! “.
He came to see us in Clermont-Ferrand at Michelin and took the train to see France slowly pass before his eyes.
His driver explanations were peppered with facial expressions so expressive that we made them classics for expressing among ourselves certain behaviors of a formula one.
I am very sad.
The Argentinian Carlos Reutemann died this Wednesday, July 7, following hemorrhagic intestinal and renal complications for which he had been hospitalized several times in intensive care in recent weeks, in Santa Fé.
The ex-pilot it was said after his career as a pilot then entered politics under the wing of former president Carlos Menem (1989-1999)serving first as Governor before serving several years in the Senate
He spoke little even less about his private life… never a word to respond to the furious public attacks of his ex-wife Mimicha, his historical partner, who was at his side on the circuits for twenty years, even alienating his daughters Cora to Marianna, remained close to their father until the end.
He also never commented on his second marriage to Veronica, younger than him, known behind the scenes of politics.
He communicated even less about his health problems and his major operation, a procedure carried out in New York five years ago for a liver tumor… the beginning of a decline experienced in the greatest secrecy!
‘El Lole’ always in his place, true to himself, strong, discreet and silent
Gilles GAIGNAULT
Photos: Manfred GIET and Bernard BAKALIAN
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