If you feel modern Formula 1 takes itself too seriously nowadays, then blame Niki Lauda. John Watson, above, points to the three-time champion’s ruthless approach as marking the turning point where an F1 driver’s job began to shift from “just turning up at the weekend and racing” to the all-consuming demands of today.
“A grand prix driver’s career, even in the ’70s, was beginning to evolve into amuch more engaging profession, in people like Niki and Mario [Andretti],” says Watson in the latest Motor Sport podcast now available on our website and YouTube channel.