The only year a driver won the world title posthumously

Sport & Games · Published 19 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1970, the line between mortal danger and sporting glory blurred forever. Jochen Rindt secured the Formula One Drivers' Championship while still alive, only to perish during the season's penultimate weekend. It remains the only time in history a driver was crowned champion after their death.

The 1970 season was defined by a transition toward modern safety and technical sophistication. Following a driver boycott of the 1969 Belgian Grand Prix due to extreme hazards, the FIA mandated significant changes, including the introduction of 'safety bladders' around fuel tanks, double guardrails, and a ban on strawbales. Circuits were overhauled; for instance, the German Grand Prix was moved to the Hockenheimring because drivers refused to race at the Nürburgring without major safety improvements. These regulations also saw the minimum weight raised to 530 kg and a reduction in maximum displacement for compressed engines from 1,500 cc to 500 cc.

The competitive landscape was equally volatile. Lotus clinched the Manufacturers' Cup by a slim 7-point margin over Ferrari, despite Ferrari's expansion to three cars. The season saw the debut of the wedge-shaped Lotus 72, which featured revolutionary brake and suspension designs. Meanwhile, the Belgian Grand Prix marked a shift in power dynamics, as V12-powered cars broke the V8 monopoly on high-speed roads. However, the year was also marked by tragedy, including the deaths of team owner Bruce McLaren during testing and driver Piers Courage during the Dutch Grand Prix.

The championship narrative was a grueling pursuit between Jackie Stewart, Jochen Rindt, and Jack Brabham. Stewart led for much of the year, but Rindt's relentless pace kept him within striking distance. Rindt won his first title by accumulating enough points to remain mathematically unreachable by the field, even though he died at Monza four races before the season ended. His nearest rival, Jacky Ickx, finished the season just five points shy of the title. This era also saw the retirement of three-time champion Jack Brabham, marking the end of a significant chapter in motorsport history.

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