Carlos Reutemann RIP
Discussion
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/57757338
Bit a curate's egg but one of the big names of the 70s and 80s.
Bit a curate's egg but one of the big names of the 70s and 80s.
I saw him win the British GP in 1978 at Brands in the Ferrari - he was on form that day . He could be devastatingly fast - pole in his first F1 race - but then suffer from internal crises which made him look like an also ran . By all accounts a charming man - and an unbelievably good looking one.
I can't help but remember Niki Lauda's crushing response when asked if he considered El Lole ( Reutemann's nickname ) as a team mate or rival , after Reutemann had been signed up by Ferrari. "Neither" said Lauda
I can't help but remember Niki Lauda's crushing response when asked if he considered El Lole ( Reutemann's nickname ) as a team mate or rival , after Reutemann had been signed up by Ferrari. "Neither" said Lauda
No doubt a fast driver and a loss whatever one thinks of him. He did turn in some strange performances though, particularly in Vegas in '81 when, on the verge of the World Championship he just seemed to lose interest.
There's an older Motorsport podcast with Patrick Head when he talks about Reutemann qualifying in Monaco. Interesting stuff.
There's an older Motorsport podcast with Patrick Head when he talks about Reutemann qualifying in Monaco. Interesting stuff.
coppice said:
I saw him win the British GP in 1978 at Brands in the Ferrari - he was on form that day . He could be devastatingly fast - pole in his first F1 race - but then suffer from internal crises which made him look like an also ran . By all accounts a charming man - and an unbelievably good looking one.
I can't help but remember Niki Lauda's crushing response when asked if he considered El Lole ( Reutemann's nickname ) as a team mate or rival , after Reutemann had been signed up by Ferrari. "Neither" said Lauda
He always reminded me as the epitome of a Marlborough Man. I can't help but remember Niki Lauda's crushing response when asked if he considered El Lole ( Reutemann's nickname ) as a team mate or rival , after Reutemann had been signed up by Ferrari. "Neither" said Lauda
The guys from that era tend to make the current crop look rather effeminate. He did not need an armful of Tattoos to make him look as hard as nails.
If you ever have read any of Brenda Vernor’s comments about Carlos, of all the Ferrari drivers she met during her time as Enzo’s P.A.
It was Carlos who truly mesmerised her.
I seem to remember in 94 or 95? Ferrari gave him a run in there current car at the Argentinian GP, and he wasn’t miles of the pace!
It was Carlos who truly mesmerised her.
I seem to remember in 94 or 95? Ferrari gave him a run in there current car at the Argentinian GP, and he wasn’t miles of the pace!
The epitome of the engima driver in F1 if there ever was one. Could be devastating at one race and then decidedly average the next.
There seems to be differing accounts of what went down in Vegas '81. Patrick Head has his view as pointed at the BBC article from OP; IIRC Peter Windsor has said Carlos had to use the T car for the race, the brakes weren't bedded in properly and Carlos completely lost confidence.
The fascination with team orders in the 'modern era' arguably began with Carlos disobeying Williams teams in 1981 even though he was a contracted #2 driver.
There seems to be differing accounts of what went down in Vegas '81. Patrick Head has his view as pointed at the BBC article from OP; IIRC Peter Windsor has said Carlos had to use the T car for the race, the brakes weren't bedded in properly and Carlos completely lost confidence.
The fascination with team orders in the 'modern era' arguably began with Carlos disobeying Williams teams in 1981 even though he was a contracted #2 driver.
I watched him race in F1 a few times. Sometimes the real Carlos Reutemann turned up and was blindingly fast, sometimes seemingly Carlos Fandango turned up in his place and everyone scratched their heads and said "what's wrong with him??"
Why "Lole" ?
It is not an established name/nickname in South America or elsewhere ?
The nearest I have got to an explanation is thus - Reutemann's father took up pig farming. At school Carlos repeatedly used his duties as deputy pig farmer to skip lessons/sports by saying "I'm going to see the pigs" - or in his native tongue "voy a ver LO LEchone".
Seems a bit of a long shot to me but no one seems to have come up with anything better...
Why "Lole" ?
It is not an established name/nickname in South America or elsewhere ?
The nearest I have got to an explanation is thus - Reutemann's father took up pig farming. At school Carlos repeatedly used his duties as deputy pig farmer to skip lessons/sports by saying "I'm going to see the pigs" - or in his native tongue "voy a ver LO LEchone".
Seems a bit of a long shot to me but no one seems to have come up with anything better...
Edited by moffspeed on Saturday 10th July 10:06
Edited by moffspeed on Saturday 10th July 10:07
He was the epitome of the word enigma
Untouchable on his day, and that could be anywhere, Nordschliefe, Monaco, anywhere.
but woefully rubbish if his head was wrong, typically Latin. But tell most people of an age to draw the perfect f1 driver and they would draw Reutemann, perfect looks, furrowed brow and gaze, pulling power personified!
but the way he gave up the 81 title was a disgrace really, and the way he reacted to Williams and Jones the year after too, not good.
A lot of people dont know he rallied a 205T16 aswell and finished top 3 in Argentina!
Untouchable on his day, and that could be anywhere, Nordschliefe, Monaco, anywhere.
but woefully rubbish if his head was wrong, typically Latin. But tell most people of an age to draw the perfect f1 driver and they would draw Reutemann, perfect looks, furrowed brow and gaze, pulling power personified!
but the way he gave up the 81 title was a disgrace really, and the way he reacted to Williams and Jones the year after too, not good.
A lot of people dont know he rallied a 205T16 aswell and finished top 3 in Argentina!
markcoznottz said:
In before Derek said he came to his house for tea or something similar. Frank dernies podcast he talks about him in good detail. They put him in a modern f1 in I think ‘95, and would have qualified top ten, mega natural talent.
Ran outside of practice as a demo run in the 3.5 litre car not the new for 95 3.0 litres. And the time would have put him 12th.Not that familiar with him as a driver although I think he is the one Alan Jones wanted to bury the hatchet into his back?
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
markcoznottz said:
In before Derek said he came to his house for tea or something similar. Frank dernies podcast he talks about him in good detail. They put him in a modern f1 in I think ‘95, and would have qualified top ten, mega natural talent.
Ran outside of practice as a demo run in the 3.5 litre car not the new for 95 3.0 litres. And the time would have put him 12th.Not that familiar with him as a driver although I think he is the one Alan Jones wanted to bury the hatchet into his back?
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