UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Regazzoni killed in car crash

Ferrari and Williams legend dies

Swiss former Grand Prix driver Clay Regazzoni, a favourite of crowds throughout his long career, was killed in a car crash in Italy on Friday. Reports say the 67 year old was involved in a head on collision with a truck.

Regazzoni was a very popular and highly regarded driver, making his F1 debut in a Ferrari at Zandvoort, Holland, in 1970 where he instantly endeared himself to the ‘tifosi’ by finishing fourth.

A few races later he entered the annals of Ferrari legend by winning in front of the home crowd in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Although he switched to BRM for 1973, with little success, Regazzoni was very much a Ferrari man throughout the early ‘70s, returning to Maranello in 1974.

Further victories followed at the Nurburgring in 1974, at Monza again in ’75, and his final victory for Ferrari at Long Beach in 1976. Despite several podium finishes he was replaced by Carlos Reutemann at the end of that year.

Clay (real name Gianclaudio) raced for the small Ensign and Shadow teams in the following two years and was seemingly on the way out of the sport when Frank Williams, his team beginning to look competitive at last, signed him to partner Alan Jones for 1979.

It was an emotional and delighted Regazzoni who crossed the line first at Silverstone that July, recording the first of what would become many wins for Frank and his fledgling team.

Returning to Ensign for 1980, Clay suffered a career-ending accident at Long Beach early in the season that left him with spinal injuries that would confine him to a wheel chair for many years.

Despite this, his enthusiasm and dedication showed through via a number of outings in the Paris-Dakar rally and ventures into sports car racing with specially adapted machines. His character and personality, loved by all who knew and met him, shone through in his continued commentaries for Italian TV until very recently.

The news shocked the F1 paddock as it filtered through to Jerez yesterday, and among those paying tribute were Sir Frank Williams and Luca di Montezemolo, President of Ferrari.

In a statement released yesterday, Sir Frank said:

"Clay won the very first Grand Prix for the Williams Team in 1979 at Silverstone. This was probably the most important event ever to occur in the history of our time in Formula One. He was a gentleman and always a pleasure to have with us in the team. Patrick [Head] and I and other team members will always remember him."

Montezemolo, who was Ferrari team chief when Regazzoni drove for them in the 1970’s, added:

"The death of Clay Regazzoni has robbed us of a man of courage and generosity who lived his life demonstrating those values. I remember him not only as one of my drivers during unforgettable times, but also as a true supporter of Ferrari. For him, races had to be tackled with boldness and on the limit, from the first to the final lap.

"I celebrated a first world championship win with him and Niki in 1975, and I will never forget his great victories at the wheel of our cars, both in Formula One and sportscars.

"This is a very sad moment for me, especially as his 'Swiss-Neapolitan' character meant he was also a unique person away from the race tracks, and so many memories of him now come to mind."

Clay Regazzoni, a man who will be missed by all.

Written: Sat, 16 Dec 2006 10:09:51