Quote:
Originally Posted by Teretonga
Unfortunately BJ, reliability played many a part in results over the years both in F1 and in other disciplines of open wheel racing.
In many cases we don't think of them or consider them relevant.
To finish first you must first finish.
PJ knew that at Indianapolis in 1967 and AJ cruised to the win.
But no one considers AJ's win as discounted when venerating his greatness with four wins.
Clark and Stewart both ran at Indy that year, Clark in the Lotus 38 again and Stewart for Mecom but Stewart got bumped and had to go to the backup car.
Hill had won in 1966 but no one considers he didn't deserve his status as a triple crown winner even though at Indy Stewart retired near the end having a full 1 lap lead and there were only 7 cars running at the end. Some say Hill never actually passed anyone all through the race after starting 15th....
Clark led Stewart and Hill at Monza in 1965 but Clark retired, and Stewart inherited the win in his first year of F1.
I had the privilege of watching Clark and Stewart go head-to-head in 1966 and 1967 in the Tasman series and Jimmy was the more relaxed and dominant driver in that period being the most dominant driver in the series 1965-1968.
At Spa in 1964 Clark repeated earlier wins after Gurney ran out of fuel ahead of him, then Graham Hill lost a fuel pump while leading with two laps to go and Clark nursed home an ailing Lotus just ahead of McLaren.
But he won the race four years in a row....
Surtees won the 64 title in Mexico after Bandini backed out to allow John enough points to win but he is still venerated as the only man to win a World title on two and four wheels.
Later titles had similar surroundings and F1 today is very much a title determined by mechanical advantage but the battles between Hamilton and Verstappen over the last half dozen races in 2021 were monumental regardless of the outcome and we are able to revisit them at will thanks to video recording.
But we cannot and should not take anything away from any driver who won a GP even as a result of someone else's misfortune.
The old adage still stands...
To finish first, first you must finish....
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Indeed, reliability has played many a part in results over the years in motorsport, and that's not to take anything away from any driver who won a GP, even as a result of someone else's misfortune. One person's misfortune can be someone else's luck.
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