Clay Regazzoni

Gianclaudio "Clay" Regazzoni was a Swiss racing driver whose forceful, charismatic style made him one of the most popular figures of 1970s Formula 1. Born in Mendrisio in 1939, he reached grand prix racing relatively late after building his reputation in European Formula 2, where he won the 1970 championship. Ferrari signed him for Formula 1 mid-season that year, and he repaid them almost immediately.

Across 132 entries and 131 starts he scored 5 wins, 28 podiums, 5 pole positions and 212 points. His Ferrari career, spread over the 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1976 seasons, brought four of those victories and his best title campaign, runner-up to Emerson Fittipaldi in 1974. After spells with BRM in 1973, Ensign and Shadow, he joined the new Williams team in 1979 and delivered the constructor its very first World Championship grand prix victory, at the British Grand Prix that year, finishing fifth in the standings.

A crash at the 1980 United States Grand Prix West at Long Beach left Regazzoni paralysed and ended his Formula 1 career. He went on to compete in adapted machinery, including rally raids, and remained a beloved ambassador for the sport until his death in a road accident in 2006.

Regazzoni was an old-school racer, hard on the brakes, fearless in wheel-to-wheel combat and quick to win over crowds with his moustachioed charm. Loyal to Ferrari and instrumental in Niki Lauda's rise as a supportive team-mate, he is remembered both for that camaraderie and for his courage after his accident. His Long Beach paralysis and subsequent determination to keep racing made him an enduring symbol of resilience in motorsport.