Grand Prix: The Killer Years
Film exploring how poor safety plus a queue of eager young racers waiting in the wings led to Grand Prix drivers became almost expendable in the 1960s and early 70s.
In the 60s and early 70s it was common for Grand Prix drivers to be killed while racing, often televised for millions to see. Mechanical failure, lethal track design, fire and incompetence snuffed out dozens of young drivers. They had become almost expendable as eager young wannabes queued up at the top teams' gates waiting to take their place.
This is the story of when Grand Prix was out of control.
Featuring many famous drivers, including three-time world champion Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, twice world champion Emerson Fittipaldi and John Surtees OBE, this exciting but shocking film explores how Grand Prix drivers grew sick of their closest friends being killed and finally took control of their destiny.
After much waste of life, the prestigious Belgian and German Grands Prix would be boycotted, with drivers insisting that safety be put first. But it would be a long and painful time before anything would change, and a lot of talented young men would be cut down in their prime.
This is their story.
'Something was terribly wrong. I loved the sport, but it was wrong. I prayed to God whether or not to continue.' - Emerson Fittipaldi
'It made me angry. The sport was way wrong.' - Sir Jackie Stewart OBE.
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Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Narrator | Denise Cooke |
Producer | John L Matthews |
Director | Richard Heap |
Broadcasts
- Sun 27 Mar 2011 21:00
- Mon 28 Mar 2011 02:55
- Sun 21 Aug 2011 23:35Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two except Scotland
- Mon 22 Aug 2011 00:20Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two Scotland
- Sat 27 Aug 2011 21:00
- Sun 13 May 2012 21:00
- Mon 14 May 2012 02:05
- Tue 11 Sep 2012 21:00
- Wed 12 Sep 2012 02:00
- Sun 14 Jul 2013 22:00
- Wed 25 Sep 2013 22:00
- Tue 25 Mar 2014 22:50
- Wed 17 Sep 2014 22:00
- Thu 18 Sep 2014 01:30
- Tue 8 Sep 2015 23:50
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sport: Formula 1
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