L ifetime ICONS

STORY Jane Cloete Photography Rainer W. Schlegelmilch “I climbed over fences to get in a 158, Dutch GP, 1964 the photos”

“This is a typical Rainer W. Schlegelmilch is a legend in Formula photograph for me – look at the positioning of the one photography. He’s been shooting on track tyre and the portrait of John Surtees. I always for nearly 50 years and considers the 1960s to shot from an artistic be the golden age of F1. Here, in his words, are perspective, not as a reporter. I came to F1 the stories behind some of his iconic images photography as a hobby. After studying, I made my living with advertising photography, so I was free to shoot what I wanted in F1, not to a newspaper’s brief. Of course, it was a lot easier to get into the F1 races in the 1960s. There were times I climbed over walls and fences to get in to a race, but once I could show the press officers my work, they accepted me.”

Jackie STEWART

“Jackie was driving for Matra then, and a French photographer had asked him to take some pictures during a practice lap. You’ll see the Nikon has a wide-angle lens, just like the cameras in the cars today. I love Jackie and he is still a great friend. F1 is my family – I’ve known the people here for almost 50 years.”

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girlfriends of the drivers would be their timekeepers. They were experienced and serious about this job. ’s wife Bette was a full member of the team. She was a very good timekeeper and would keep score for some of the other team members, too. Helen Stewart (Jackie’s wife) also did a great job.”

G eorGE Harrison talking to

“I didn’t know this was when I took this photograph, I was just shooting the people talking to Jimmy. I met George later – he was a big racing fan – and about 10 years ago I met his wife. When she heard my name, she said: ‘Ah! l rights reserved. rights l l

A Now I know you – you “ I saw the king of Spain touch created all those heavy books that I have to carry Alonso’s shoulder and say: ‘Be from the bookshops!’ “I met a lot of VIPs in a good boy, try to be a champion’” F1 – Liz Taylor, Richard Burton, the king of Spain. 40 years ago. Last Christmas The king has always been (), she told me she was going to a race fan. I remember him Monaco GP, 1964 wrap up my book and put it as a young man – now I see under the tree for Dan.” him touch Alonso’s shoulder and say: ‘Be a good boy, “I was standing behind a 60cm-high barrier for try to be a champion’.” this photograph (today the barriers are 1.2–1.3m “Ahh, Enzo Ferrari was Jo SifFERT riding high and made of steel always macho. See how on Hill’s LOTUS, 1957 fencing). If you go to the he is talking and everyone is looking at him … and same place now, you’ll see “I like to joke that the ues, www.teneues.com. Photos © 2010 Rainer W. Schlegelmilch. Schlegelmilch. W. Rainer 2010 © Photos www.teneues.com. ues, the hotel is the same, and everyone around him is e

N Swiss driver was trying a man. This is the thing the balconies, too. to save on petrol here. about F1, it’s a world of “To the left is British This was taken during a men. Enzo was such a photographer Geoffrey practice session, where character. He knew that Goddard. He was Siffert’s car had run out of he had the most exciting so admired – he was fuel – in those days, there machine, and he had the a professional who were no pace cars to pick only team that built the worked for a proper up the driver. There was engine and the car motoring magazine. great camaraderie together. You’d see all the He knew every driver. between the racers, so men listening to Enzo and When I started, I was Graham gave him a lift. looking at engines – no too shy to speak to him. You must remember how one paid attention to “The driver is Dan dangerous it was then the ladies back then.” Gurney, and last Christmas te by published is Schlegelmilch, W. Rainer by – every few months a I received a card from him, The ladies driver would die. So they with a picture of his family. knew they had to enjoy life; That was so nice. He was you did not know if you’d

one of my heroes in the “Before electronic e of Formula 1 be there on Monday. g 1960s, and his wife was scoreboards and official A “These days you’d get the Porsche press officer timekeeping, the wives and fined if you let someone sit on your car – and there is too much rivalry The Golden

© for camaraderie.”

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John Surtees and “ sThe racer were a lot Jackie Stewart, more relaxed in those MONACO GP, 1966 days because all they had “ A year or two before I took this pic, a photographer was to worry about was driving” killed because a car lost a wheel and there was no protection. So for this city track, the Monaco authorities used straw bales to protect the fans. But this was a risk, too – when a car caught alight (like it did in 1967 when was killed), the bales would ignite and the fire would double in intensity and size.”

THE MONZA Graham Hill TIFOSI FANS and Jim Clark

“This is the typical “Here you’ve got a bit Italian way to get a better of a PR shot. Graham and view of the race. These Jimmy were the drivers, huge advertising boards and behind them you’ll were soft in the front, so see the team boss Colin fans soon learnt to climb Chapman and the engine up the back and make a boss Keith Duckworth. This hole through them. At the was the first time Lotus had Nürburgring, they built a Ford motor – which treehouses in the woods would go on to win around the track – the championships for the fans would bring wooden team. Look at Graham’s boards and wires with ironed trousers – he was them, and you’d see six to always the English gent. eight people in a tree. It is “The racers were a incredible how ingenious lot more relaxed in those fans can be.” days, because all they Rainer W. Schlegelmilch studied had to worry about was art photography before making driving. There were three a career for himself in advertising. pedals: gas, clutch and But it was the F1 pass given to him brake. These days, it’s in 1962 by a friend that opened a lot more complicated.” up the world of motorsport photography for him. “At the time there were many deaths in F1 – two or three every year – and my friend gave me his pass because he said: ‘I don’t want to see people die’.” The drivers allowed Schlegelmilch access into their world. He explains: “They saw me as a young Claim your 30% discount! German fan, not a press photographer, so I got the images I was The Golden Age of Formula 1 by Rainer interested in. The portraits, the quiet moments ... I could do what W. Schlegelmilch (teNeues) is available I wanted and get the pictures I wanted. And I still enjoy it.” to V-ZN I E readers for £42 (RRP £60) plus free p&p. To claim yours, call 00XX XXXXXXXXXX and quote V-ZN I E. 54 55