Thursday, July 8th, 2021
“Papa went in peace and dignity”
Formula 1 mourns the loss of Argentine ex-drivers
Former Formula 1 driver Carlos Reutemann is dead. The Argentine dies at the age of 79 after a long illness. His daughter shares the sad news with moving words. He celebrated his greatest success in 1981 as vice world champion.
Argentina mourns the loss of former Formula 1 driver Carlos Reutemann. The 1981 vice world champion died on Wednesday at the age of 79 after a long illness, his daughter confirmed via Twitter. “Dad left in peace and dignity after fighting like a champion with a strong heart,” wrote Cora Reutemann: “I am proud and blessed that I had such a father.”
Reutemann had already been admitted to the hospital again in June because of intestinal bleeding and kidney problems; his condition had recently deteriorated rapidly. He was treated in the clinic in May for the same complaints.
Reutemann was active in Formula 1 from 1972 to 1982, and sat in the cockpit for Brabham, Ferrari, Lotus and Williams. He collected twelve victories during this time, including the particularly prestigious successes on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring (1975) and in Monaco (1980). He also started from pole position six times.
He celebrated his greatest success in the 1981 season. Reutemann in Williams was runner-up one point behind the Brazilian Nelson Piquet. He also finished third in the World Cup three times. To this day he is the most successful Argentine in the premier class after the five-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio.
After his sporting career, Reutemann went into politics and was elected governor in his home province of Santa Fe for four years in 1991 and 1999. From 2003 he worked there as a senator, twice in the following years he was also in talks for the office of President.
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