Forty years ago today, New Zealander Bruce McLaren, the founder of the McLaren F1 team, lost his life when testing a Can-Am at Goodwood in Great Britain.
He had been testing his new M8D when the rear bodywork came adrift at speed. The loss of aerodynamic downforce destabilised the car, which spun, left the track and hit a bunker used as a flag station.
McLaren, whose team would ultimately go on to become one of the sport's most successful, was only 32 years old.
Although he had won only four Grands Prix, and just one with his own car at the time of his death, his legacy is as much a part of the sport as that of the legendary Enzo Ferrari.
The McLaren team, today headed by Martin Whitmarsh, has now won 167 races and 20 championships (12 drivers, eight constructors).
He had been testing his new M8D when the rear bodywork came adrift at speed. The loss of aerodynamic downforce destabilised the car, which spun, left the track and hit a bunker used as a flag station.
McLaren, whose team would ultimately go on to become one of the sport's most successful, was only 32 years old.
Although he had won only four Grands Prix, and just one with his own car at the time of his death, his legacy is as much a part of the sport as that of the legendary Enzo Ferrari.
The McLaren team, today headed by Martin Whitmarsh, has now won 167 races and 20 championships (12 drivers, eight constructors).