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F1 pays tribute to ‘fighter’ Reutemann

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emailBy Chris Medland | July 8, 2021 7:49 AM ET

Formula 1 has paid tribute to Carlos Reutemann, “a fighter to the end,” after his death at the age of 79.

The Argentinian won 12 grands prix in an impressive career that saw him race for Brabham (pictured above en route to victory in the 1975 German GP at the Nurburgring), Ferrari, Lotus and Williams, just missing out on winning the drivers’ championship for the latter in 1981. Reutemann moved into politics after his retirement from racing and was serving as a National Senator until his death on Wednesday.

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Carlos Reutemann, 1942-2021

“We are all deeply saddened to hear that Carlos Reutemann has passed away,” an F1 statement read. “He was a big part of our sport for many years and was a fighter to the end. He will be greatly missed.”

FIA president Jean Todt offered his own tribute, with Reutemann having remained close to Ferrari after stopping racing, even driving Ruben Barrichello’s F2004 at Fiorano while Todt was in charge of the Scuderia.

“So sad to hear the loss of one of my heroes, Carlos Reutemann,” Todt wrote. “He was a great F1 champion, a true gentleman and a real friend. All my thoughts are with his family.”

As well as finishing runner-up to Nelson Piquet in 1981 — a year where he was leading the championship heading into the final round — Reutemann finished third in the standings on three occasions, with Mario Andretti saying he was good enough to win the title.

“So sad to learn of the passing of Carlos Reutemann,” Andretti said. “‘Lole’ was definitely an uncrowned F1 champion. I know how good he was especially as my teammate at Lotus.”
Mario Andretti in his Lotus 79 duels with Carlos Reutemann in his Ferrari 312T3 at the Canadian GP in 1978, the year Andretti took the world title with six wins while Reutemann scored four of his own. The pair were teammates at Lotus the following season. David Phipps/Motorsport Images

Carlos Reutemann, Formula 1

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Carlos Reutemann, 1942-2021

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emailBy RACER Staff | July 7, 2021 2:21 PM ET

Former Formula 1 star Carlos Reutemann has died at a medical facility in his native Santa Fe, Argentina, where he had been undergoing treatment over the past month for intestinal and kidney issues. He was 79.

Reutemann (pictured above in 1981) drove for Brabham, Ferrari, Lotus and Williams in the course of his F1 career from 1972-82. He won 12 grands prix including four victories in 1978 for Ferrari, when he swept both U.S. races at Long Beach and Watkins Glen, and also bested legend Niki Lauda — whom he had contentiously filled in for during the Austrian’s recovery from his serious crash in 1976 — in a spectacular head-to-head duel in the British GP at Brands Hatch. While driving for his final team, Williams, he narrowly lost the 1981 world championship to Nelson Piquet.

After retiring from F1, Reutemann made a one-off return to motorsport in the World Rally Championship before starting a career in politics. He served two terms as governor of the Argentine province of Santa Fe and served in the Argentine senate from 2003 until his death.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Carlos Reutemann.

A revered fighter and 12-time Grand Prix winner, he will be deeply missed. pic.twitter.com/DYbvTOyemQ

— Formula 1 (@F1)

Carlos Reutemann, Formula 1