On 5 September 1970, Austrian racing driver Jochen Rindt was killed in a crash during practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Just 28, Rindt was enjoying the finest season of his career, driving the Lotus-Ford 72. He had already won five Grands Prix—in Monaco, the Netherlands, France, Britain and Germany—and held a commanding championship lead.
Rindt's Lotus left the track at the Parabolica during practice, ending the career of one of Formula One's most charismatic and uncompromising drivers. His death also highlighted the significant safety risks still confronting Grand Prix competitors in the early 1970s.
Despite his death, Rindt's championship lead proved insurmountable. Ferrari's Jacky Ickx remained the only driver with a mathematical chance of catching him, but Rindt's points total stood when the season concluded. He was therefore officially crowned 1970 Formula One World Drivers' Champion, becoming the first and only posthumous champion in the sport's history.
Rindt's legacy extends beyond statistics. His fearless driving style, particularly his extraordinary Monaco victory earlier that year, secured his place among Formula One's enduring legends.
