30 years already that the greatest Belgian driver has won his last F1 GP. The opportunity to request a meeting to ask Jacky Ickx to relive his last victory in F1, at the German GP, on July 30, 1972, so it is just 30 years ago. It must certainly be admitted that this is ancient history but for many fans, the laurels of this crown remain fresh in memories for several reasons.

The mastery of the winner, alias Der Ring Meister, the superb design of his purple mount, the Ferrari 312B2 considered one of the most beautiful F1 in history, the magnificent track of the Nürburgring “old mill” (at the time the GP took place over only 14 laps!) and also the competition, composed mostly of big names that still roar in our heads : Clay Regazzoni, Ronnie Peterson, Brian Redman, Graham Hill, François Cevert, Jackie Stewart, Arthuro Merzario, Andrea de Adamich, Tim Schenken, Chris Amon, Denny Hulme, Emerson Fittipaldi, Derek Bell, Carlos Reutemann, Niki Lauda, Rolf Stommelen…

The Liège artist Benoît Deliège immortalized Jacky Ickx’s Ferrari 312B2

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“Do you really think that many people still care about it?” , questions the greatest Belgian automobile champion of all time and one of the great champions altogether. The interlocus question! Appointment is nevertheless made for a less targeted interview that will take place in his house hidden in the rich greenery of Walloon Brabant.

“I should have become a gardener. Or then gamekeeper… even if it’s not quite the same thing. I have always loved nature,” he admits after a compliment on these superb plantations. The man is immersed in culture… The image is easy, simplistic at best, but it is also so true. Literally as well as figuratively. He entrusts us with his love for classical music and more specifically that of Rachmaninov. And that for books. A faithful passion.

Ickx has always been the intellectual of circuits. An example of eloquence. A visionary who stood out in an environment of blind daredevils. A scholar among the heavy feet with an often light head. This earned him to be accused of a certain snobbism, of a certain distance. A reputation he nevertheless wants to expiate:
“I admit today that my speech is a reparation towards those for whom I have not shown enough gratitude and to whom I have not given enough credit. Successes, awards and sports careers are not built in isolation. Whether it is from the top of the bleachers or in the paddocks, I had the great fortune to be well supported and well surrounded. It has become fashionable to talk about teamwork. Success has always been a function of shared work. Only we talked about it less in the past. And then we humanize over time. I am a survivor”

And to cast a – rare – look in the rearview mirror:

Today I pay tribute to a sporting passion, which is part of another life, another time. I still often wonder how I could have done that. From motor sport, I was of course expecting joy and happiness but not to such an extent. I got a hundred times more than I would have never dared to hope for. That’s why I have no regrets, no bitterness, no nostalgia, no dissatisfaction. Especially since I was very lucky. I am one of the few survivors of an era of generous pilots but also of precarious security.
A few weeks ago, I was in Buenos Aires and saw Carlos Reutemann there. We talked for a good hour and the first thing we said to each other is the chance to find ourselves there, mature and intact men. I have an overview of my career and there is not really an event that stands out.
There you go, it’s clear! I’m at liberty to hear him relive his last victory in the premier class but what does it matter after all.
“You know, I don’t turn around… only the present and the future matter.”

It’s so true that a few years ago, Jacky did not hesitate to get rid of all his memories that might have deteriorated: historic cars and engines offered by his successive employers. This does not mean however any break with the world of cars and competitions. Quite the contrary.
I have a busy life and eclectic activities that make me vibrate: a consulting contract for a Japanese company, the race direction of the GP of Monaco as well as the organization and management of the Rally of Egypt. All this is interesting. It allows for a global view, to work in a team and to see what others are doing. I have in my life met lots of interesting people. And the young are not left out. They also leave me admiring. They are not afraid of anything. They go further and harder and are able to overthrow mountains. They have this wonderful feeling of invincibility within them.”

What does he look at modern F1?
“It is always risky to compare the eras. The motivations and satisfactions remain the same but the sacrifices are more important today. The discipline has become extremely demanding. I also have an infinite respect for the talent of current drivers who have to deal with very difficult vehicles to develop and drive. F1 has become elitist and must fear for its future. The survival of a discipline depends on its self-determination to manage itself. The costs are pharaonic and the risk of disappearance of certain stables is real. We risk boredom due to a lack of fighters. The example could well come from the USA where the CART and IRL series are open to a large number of teams and drivers.
For more than a century now, the automobile has been the most important vector of movement and independence. She has had and still has a considerable impact on everyone’s life. The automotive industry is evolving at an incredible speed in all areas, especially in that of safety. It is moreover curious to note that on a global scale, speed is limited for safety reasons as vehicles are becoming more and more efficient and able to handle increasing speeds. Sooner or later, we will drive in the American way. We will get used to it. Myself, I have become more peaceful, more patient. I personally wonder if the best ally of the decrease in speed is not the real awareness of young generations about the importance of the environment. It seems to me that respect and protection of nature – notably by reducing energy consumption – are arguments as important as safety.

Nature. Here we are again. Like natural, it is hunted but it returns at a gallop. Even if this time, it’s no longer on a small rearing horse…

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Sport Magazine – Foot Magazine of 31 July 2002 – Article written by Bernard Geenen
Originally published on ‘Tribute to Jacky Ickx” on 23-05-2003