Rare stars Formula 1 they had the privilege of being in temple of speed, as they call the Monza racetrack, celebrated winning the title. Jody Scheckter this masterpiece has succeeded for years 1979 in a Ferrari 312 T4, with whom he will ride along the path of the Royal Park this weekend, on the occasion of his 40th anniversary. South African, which is between the years 1972 in 1980 drove 112 races, he recalls: “He was simply relieved at the time. Since 1972, Sen has competed in Formula 1 and in 1974 I almost succeeded with Tyrell. I left Monzo at the time with one point behind Emerson Fittipald, but in the end I failed to win the title. That's when I said to myself, 'I'm capable of winning the title.' It took me seven years to finally make it happen. The pressure was amazing, I did my best to win. Usually by the time of the race the pressure is only increasing, but this year there was no pressure at all. It was a great relief to finally win this title,”Says the 69-year-old.
In Scheckter, who arrived in Monza at the time with an advantage of 8 points over Jacques Lafitte and 12 points ahead of a teammate Gilles Villeneuve, admits: “I wasn’t sure I could make it. A week before the race, Gilles was constantly testing on the tires for qualifying and the newspapers were full of breaking news about the new records he had set. I tested myself on the hardest tires and focused on the race car. I was faster than him, both in qualifying and in the race."It simply came to our notice then. Scheckter won the race before Villeneuve in Clay Regazzoni in a Williams-Ford race car.
It was also for the jubilee ride 1979 World Champion well prepared. “I made extensive preparations. As soon as I found out we were going to do this, the race car was sent to Italy where it was inspected by the same mechanics who were working in me at the time. He was then sent to the UK for an exhibition at Laverstoke Farm. There I have a small track on which I drove with a race car and the feeling was good. Now, however, the race car is back in Monza."
And what he expects ten - time Formula 1 race winner from re-driving on the Monza expressway? “I don’t know how this is going to feel, but I think it’s going to be similar to 40 years ago. Of course, today behind the wheel I am no longer as confident as I was during my racing career. But maybe I’ll be a little faster on the third day, simply because I’m crazy. When the helmet visor closes, then you get a little crazier. I have to say that it is a great privilege for me to be here in Monza. It’s been five years since I attended my last Formula 1 race. I have friends here and I still love watching the races, so it will be really fantastic to ride the Monza track again. With the V12 engine, fans are sure to witness a great sound."
