Jochen Rindt

The only posthumous Formula 1 World Champion — Jochen Rindt was killed in qualifying at Monza 1970 with enough points already accumulated to win the title.

Karl Jochen Rindt was born on 18 April 1942 in Mainz, in the German Reich, and was orphaned during the Second World War, raised by his maternal grandparents in Graz, Austria, which shaped his decision to compete under the Austrian flag throughout his career. Rindt made his Formula One debut in 1964, and developed into one of the most naturally gifted and aggressive drivers of his era, also excelling in sports car racing, winning the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans. He moved to Team Lotus in 1969, forming a partnership with legendary designer Colin Chapman that would define both the peak and the tragic end of his career. Rindt won six Grand Prix, his first coming at the 1969 United States Grand Prix, and built a commanding championship lead during the 1970 season driving Lotus's radical and often unreliable 72 model, despite Rindt's own well-documented safety concerns about the car. During practice for the 1970 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Rindt was killed when his Lotus suffered a brake shaft failure and crashed into the barriers. His championship lead proved unassailable, and he was posthumously crowned the 1970 World Champion, the only driver in Formula One history to win the title after death — a legacy that permanently changed how the sport approached driver safety.

Aggressive and fearless driving style, known for spectacular performances

Remembered as one of the fastest drivers of his era and the only posthumous F1 champion

• F1 World Champion 1970 (posthumous)
• 6 Grand Prix wins
• Only posthumous champion