Friday 1st August 2014

Fittipaldi and the McLaren M23: Time For Tea?

Goodwood saw Fittipaldi and his '74 championship-winning M23 reunited; here's the video

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If there's one part of this Fittipaldi interview you must watch, it's the Brazilian's description of the last race in his championship-winning season (1974). See it from 2:10. He claims it was the only race of his career when he couldn't sleep properly the night before and also describes an epic duel with Clay Regazzoni on his way to the title. Described as a "do or die" moment we've no reason to doubt him.

This McLaren video comes from the Festival of Speed, where it was celebrating four decades since Fittipaldi's F1 World Championship in an M23. This video is more about the driver than the car so see here for something extra on the McLaren. Back when an F1 car could last longer than a season the M23 achieved 16 victories across five years with 10 poles also. The list of drivers is fairly incredible: Fittipaldi, Hunt, Mass, Hailwood, Hulme.

To hear Fittipaldi's ongoing passion for this car is riveting. He talks of instant familiarity and the same sensations flowing back very quickly after so long. We'd assume he must have been fairly comfortable give the smoky start up the hill... Legend.

See the video here.

 

[Lead image: LAT]

[smilo996]

What an experience that must be. Great vid.

[topless360]

Anyone else notice that there appears to be two 2nd gears (towards the end of the video)?

[El Guapo]

A great car & a great driver.
There's something about the simplicity of the design of the cars of this era that still appeals, even though we thought of them as cutting-edge at the time.

[bobberz]

topless360 said:

Anyone else notice that there appears to be two 2nd gears (towards the end of the video)?

I nearly thought the same, but after pausing the video, I realised that's an "R" for reverse above 1st gear.