41 years ago... Keke Rosberg's unexpected victory in F1

Titled with a single victory in 1982, Nico's father passed in the eyes of some as a cheap world champion. This was to ignore his dejection at the wheel and the power deficit of his naturally aspirated engine compared to the turbos.

Published on 25/09/2023 à 13:45

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41 years ago… Keke Rosberg’s unexpected coronation in F1

A single victory in Dijon allows Keke Rosberg to take the world crown © DPPI

While the 1981 season had just reached its conclusion in Las Vegas (USA), Keke Rosberg took a few vacations in California, between aeronautical piloting lessons and rides behind the wheel of his Cobra. After two seasons in a bloodless Fittipaldi team, his status as a driver F1 is not the most enviable. He only has 6 points under his belt and the past season brought none, not to mention the 5 non-qualifications suffered.

At 33 years old, 16 of whom have been on the circuits, Keke has no time to lose if he wants to move from this status of “ Villeneuve of the poor » including the AUTO badgehebdo to that of a true champion. A phone call will change his life, when Williams Grand Prix tells him that Alan Jones has decided to retire and offers him a test at Paul-Ricard (Var). Keke flew to London (UK), not without taking care to call her