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Old 21 Feb 2006, 14:15 (Ref:1528046)   #12
Steve Wilkinson
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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Cool hand Rindt!

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Originally Posted by Roger Clark
Were't Lotuses made in England?

I hadn't heard of the last lap incident you describe. Rindt was 0.9 seconds ahead at the end of lap 49 and 0.7 ahead at the end of the race. If Ickx did take the lead during the 50th lap he must have lost a lot of time somewhere. most reports said that Rindt had a lot in hand throughout the race and could overtake the Ferrari whenever he wished.

Of course, we don't really know the truth because Denis Jenkinson was watching a Formula 2 race at the place where the Grand Prix should have been.
The Italy versus Germany was in reference to the supporters not the cars!

Rindt did lead across the line but deliberately ran wide at Turn 1 to let Ickx through. He apparently wanted to be second on the run back into the stadium rather than let Ickx slipstream up behind! As you say Rindt had easily the fastest car in a straight line and as he could slice past the Ferrari under braking second place was the best place to be.

Another interesting factoid was to do with the prize money. At that race (possibly all the GPs that year I am not certain) there was prize money at quarter, half and three-quarter distance. Rindt led on all those laps! Chunky was a stickler for grabbing as much dosh as possible!
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