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with a few extra pounds used to make the weakest parts stronger. On top of that I think you ought to spend some time checking what your different employees are doing. Please give my suggestions some thought. I can only drive a car in which I have some confidence and I feel the point of no confidence is quite near.'

Nevertheless Jochen put his worries to the back of his mind and continued to race at ten tenths on the circuit. 1969 brought him his first Grand Prix victory, achieved at Watkins Glen. For 1970 Chapman produced a truly groundbreaking car, the wedge-shaped Lotus 72. Initially Rindt wasn't convinced by the new machine and an early season win in Monaco was scored using the older car. The 72 was clearly the way ahead, however, and would carry Jochen to four more victories before the Formula 1 circus arrived at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix.

With top speed being critical on the extremely fast Monza circuit Jochen elected to run without wings in practise. Approaching the final corner a the fragility which he had been so concerned about resulted in a brake-shaft failure. The Lotus veered violently to the left and the wedge nose submarined under the poorly installed armco barrier. Jochen, who didn't like wearing his crotch belts done up for comfort reasons, was crushed.

Jochen Rindt never knew that he was World Champion. At the time of his death Jacky Ickx still had a chance of the title but, fittingly, it went to the man who had won half of the season's first ten races. The trophy was awarded to his widow, Nina.

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