F1—The Wrong Place at the Wrong Time

For many years now, I have been synonymous with sports cars and sports car racing. Of course, when I started my career, I was like any other driver. I started in single-seater racing cars and wanted to become a Formula One racer, not only that but World Champion! My ladder of success took me to European F3 Champion, and 2nd in European F2. The successes in these formative formulas led me to being chosen to race for the Matra F1 team alongside my compatriot Jean-Pierre Beltoise. In my first year in F1, I had a podium place, 3rd in the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix. I think my position in the race may have gone unnoticed as I was behind an intense battle between Jochen Rindt and Jack Brabham. In four of my races, I finished in the points, scoring 8 in total. I think you would agree that was a great start to a promising F1 career. Unfortunately, the momentum stopped there. Looking back, I was never able to secure a drive with a front-line team; cars I drove were only capable of midgrid or back of the grid positions. I drove for teams like Frank Williams, who was just starting in F1, and BRM who were coming to the end of their reign in F1, and finally a last season with John Surtees. You cannot motivate yourself to race properly when the car you are driving is not capable of qualifying or finishing in the top six places.

I have been asked if the problem was one of sponsorship, but I’m not too sure that was the case. My most promising season was in 1970, my first full season in F1, with Equipe Matra Elf, and the MS20 V-12 car. I was learning my job as an F1 driver and the car responded well to my driving style. I picked up points here and there and was very satisfied with my performance. I didn’t believe 12th place in the World Championship was too bad. Unfortunately, Matra team-manager, Jean-Luc Lagardere, wanted Chris Amon in the team as the number-one driver. In turn, that demoted Jean-Pierre Beltoise to second driver and left me surplus to requirements, and looking for a drive for the 1971 season. I ended up with a drive for Frank Williams who, as I have previously stated, was just starting out in F1. Frank Williams was a fantastic guy to drive for, I liked him very much, and his team was very good. Logistically, he was good. The basic fact of his having inadequate machinery, a March 701, was that he had no money. It is very difficult to compete without proper financial resources. BRM was in the same position as Frank Williams, they had no money. The difference was Frank had enthusiasm to push him forward as he was starting out; BRM, conversely, was a little battle weary as they were on the way out. Beltoise and I took money with us with Motul sponsorship, but it was too little too late. Summing up my F1 career, historically, I suppose I have been with some really good teams, but not at the right time.