Editing Jochen Rindt (section)

==Racing career==
===Beginnings===
Rindt drove his first race at the ''Flugplatzrennen'' in 1961, in his grandmother's [[Simca Montlhéry]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Flugplatzrennen Innsbruck|url=https://jochenrindt.com/en/racing/flugplatzrennen-innsbruck/|access-date=24 November 2020|website=Jochen Rindt|language=en}}</ref> After missing the official application period, he only entered after a friendly high-ranking motorsport functionary from Graz intervened on his behalf.<ref name=total/> During the race, he was [[Racing flags#Black flag|black flagged]] for his dangerous driving style and therefore disqualified; he did not immediately return to the pit lane as he was unaware of the regulations. Rindt entered several rallies with his Simca but did not achieve good results. It was only when he was provided with a race-prepared {{clarification needed span|text=[[Alfa Romeo 105/115 Series Coupés#GT 1300 Junior .281965.E2.80.931977.29|Alfa Romeo GT 1300]]|reason=Model unclear.  GT 1300 (Junior) [at page linked to] did not appear until 1965.|date=February 2024}} at cost price and with free servicing by a local dealer that he became more successful. In the Alfa Romeo, he achieved eight victories.{{sfn|Giesser|2010}}{{sfn|Henry|1990|p=13}}

In 1963, Rindt switched to [[Formula Junior]] with the assistance of Kurt Bardi-Barry, a wealthy owner of a travel agency and one of Austria's leading drivers at the time; Barry gave him his one-year-old [[Cooper Car Company|Cooper]] T67{{sfn|Henry|1990|p=13}} and the two men formed a partnership, driving to races together. Rindt was fastest in practice for his first race in [[ACI Vallelunga Circuit|Vallelunga]], a race won by Barry, and took victory in his second at [[Cesenatico]]. In the race, Rindt had taken advantage of an accident in the early stages. While most drivers slowed for the incoming ambulance, he raced ahead between the straw barriers and the parked medical vehicle to take the lead. At the time, he was notorious for his dangerous style, almost crashing into the spectators at a race in the streets of [[Budapest]].{{sfn|Zwickl|2007|pages=72–73}}

===Formula Two===
[[File:RindtJochen1970LotusF2.jpg|thumb|Rindt in a Formula 2 [[Lotus 69]] at the ''[[Eifelrennen]]'' in 1970|alt=Rindt racing in a green Formula Two car with number 1 on its side]]
Rindt was highly successful in [[Formula Two]] racing, amassing a total of 29 victories.{{sfn|Reuß|2010}} He once again entered the series in partnership with Barry, driving [[Brabham]] cars. The engines provided by [[Cosworth]] were slower and inconsistent in performance; Rindt responded to his reduced pace by declaring: "Then I just brake two metres later."{{sfn|Giesser|2010}} He entered his first F2 race in April 1964 at the ''Preis von Wien'' at [[Aspern]], retiring from both heats.<ref>{{cite web|title=Preis von Wien (Austria)|url=http://jochenrindt.com/en/racing/preis-von-wien-austria/|website=jochenrindt.com|publisher=Natasha Rindt|access-date=14 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114212907/http://jochenrindt.com/en/racing/preis-von-wien-austria/ |archive-date=14 January 2016}}</ref> The international motor racing world first took notice of him on 18 May 1964, when Rindt won the ''London Trophy'' race at the [[Crystal Palace circuit]] in a [[Brabham BT10]] ahead of [[Graham Hill]].<ref name=walitsch>{{cite web|last1=Walitsch|first1=Erich|title=Jochen Rindt – How do you become a racing driver?|url=http://jochenrindt.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/JR-Biografie-GER1.pdf|website=jochenrindt.com|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116152849/http://jochenrindt.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/JR-Biography-Eng.pdf |archive-date=16 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=London Trophy (Brit)|url=http://jochenrindt.com/en/racing/london-trophy-brit/|website=jochenrindt.com|publisher=Natasha Rindt|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116153033/http://jochenrindt.com/en/racing/london-trophy-brit/ |archive-date=16 January 2016}}</ref>

Like many other drivers at the time, Rindt continued to race in Formula Two races alongside his duties in Formula One; his last F2 appearance was the ''Festspielpreis der Salzburg'' in August 1970.<ref>{{cite web|title=Festspielpreis der Salzburg (non-ch)|url=http://jochenrindt.com/en/racing/festspielpreis-der-salzburg-non-ch/|website=jochenrindt.com|publisher=Natasha Rindt|access-date=14 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114213723/http://jochenrindt.com/en/racing/festspielpreis-der-salzburg-non-ch/ |archive-date=14 January 2016}}</ref> In 1967, he dominated Formula Two, winning nine races in his [[Brabham BT23]]. As an experienced Formula One driver, he was graded "A", meaning his results did not count towards the championship,<ref>{{cite journal|title=Further thoughts on Formula 2 |url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/may-1967/28/further-thoughts-formula-2 |journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]] |issue=May 1967 |page=28 |access-date=14 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114134053/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/may-1967/28/further-thoughts-formula-2 |archive-date=14 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the title went to [[Jacky Ickx]].{{sfn|Giesser|2010}} Still, his performances led him to be called "king of Formula 2" by the racing press. He had a long-standing relationship with Roy Winkelmann, and drove with his team until it closed at the end of 1969.<ref name=walitsch/>

===Sports cars===
[[File:Ferrari 250 LM.jpg|thumb|The [[Ferrari P|Ferrari 250LM]] that took Rindt to his win at the [[1965 24 Hours of Le Mans]]|alt=Back view of a red Ferrari sports car standing on a grass field at a car show]]
Along with [[Open-wheel car|single-seater racing]], Rindt took up [[sports car racing]] in the mid-1960s. Rindt started at the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] a total of four times. At his debut in {{24hLM|1964}}, sharing a [[Ferrari P|Ferrari 250LM]] with [[David Piper (racing driver)|David Piper]], the car retired too early for Rindt even to take the wheel.<ref>{{cite web|title=24 Hours Le Mans (Int.)|url=http://jochenrindt.com/en/racing/24-hours-le-mans-int/|website=jochenrindt.com|publisher=Natasha Rindt|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116162750/http://jochenrindt.com/en/racing/24-hours-le-mans-int/ |archive-date=16 January 2016}}</ref>

Rindt's best result came the following year at the [[1965 24 Hours of Le Mans]]. Sharing the drive of a Ferrari 250LM with American [[Masten Gregory]] for the [[North American Racing Team]], Rindt won the event. Neither driver was happy to race in a seemingly uncompetitive car. A 1998 article in ''[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]'' stated that neither appeared to show much interest in the race, but instead it was "more a case of 'hope it breaks soon' so they could draw their money and split".<ref name="lemans1998">{{cite journal|title=1965 The Old Man and the Plea|journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|date=7 July 2014 |issue=June 1998|pages=36–37|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/june-1998/36/1965-old-man-and-plea|access-date=3 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603162406/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/june-1998/36/1965-old-man-and-plea |archive-date=3 June 2016}}</ref> At the start, the drivers [[Le Mans start|had to run to their cars]]; Rindt entered with a forward roll that allowed him to get his foot on the throttle instantly and take an early lead.<ref name=spiegel2>{{cite journal|title=Tödliche Lotus-Blüten|url=http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-45741439.html|access-date=16 January 2016|journal=Der Spiegel|issue=20/1969|date=12 May 1969|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116164021/http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-45741439.html |archive-date=16 January 2016|language=de|trans-title=Deadly Lotus Blossoms}}</ref> The pair experienced considerable trouble in the early part of the race; the car did not restart during Gregory's first pit stop. Later, the engine failed partially and Gregory brought the car into the pits on only six of twelve cylinders.<ref name="lemans1998"/> At this point, Rindt had already changed back into his civilian clothes, expecting their race to be over.<ref name="lemans2015">{{cite journal|last1=Fearnley|first1=Paul|title=The race Ferrari doesn't need|journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|date=22 October 2015 |issue=June 2015|page=102|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/june-2015/102/race-ferrari-doesnt-need|access-date=3 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603163128/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/june-2015/102/race-ferrari-doesnt-need |archive-date=3 June 2016}}</ref> After thirty minutes of repairs, the car restarted and Rindt and Gregory agreed to drive the rest of the event "flat out", at full speed and with the accompanying risk.<ref name="lemans1998"/> Rindt drove most of the night, advancing from 18th to third position by dawn.{{sfn|Reuß|2010}} Gregory persuaded Rindt to let him drive the closing part of the race, suspecting that his young teammate might not drive moderately enough to nurse the car to the finish.<ref name="lemans2015"/> Jacky Ickx later recalled that the two had driven "like maniacs". Even so, the car survived, handing the pair what Ickx called an "unexpected victory".{{sfn|Reuß|2010}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Le Mans 24-hour race|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-1965/11/le-mans-24-hour-race|website=motorsportmagazine.com|date=7 July 2014 |publisher=Motor Sport Magazine|access-date=20 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520105312/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-1965/11/le-mans-24-hour-race |archive-date=20 May 2016}}</ref>

Later that year, Rindt drove, again in a Ferrari 250LM, at the 500 kilometre race at [[Zeltweg Air Base|Zeltweg]]. He was able to win ahead of the better powered Ferrari of [[Mike Parkes]] owing to a special lever that manually activated the brake lights. Using the tool shortly before his actual braking point, Rindt was able to force Parkes to brake earlier than him which allowed him to stay ahead.{{sfn|Giesser|2010}}

Apart from his 1965 victory, he never finished the race in Le Mans. In [[1966 24 Hours of Le Mans|1966]], his [[Ford GT40]] (shared with [[Innes Ireland]]) suffered an engine failure.<ref>{{cite web|title=24 Hours Le Mans (Int.)|url=http://jochenrindt.com/en/racing/24-hours-le-mans-int-3/|website=jochenrindt.com|publisher=Natasha Rindt|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116162831/http://jochenrindt.com/en/racing/24-hours-le-mans-int-3/ |archive-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> [[1967 24 Hours of Le Mans|A year later]], he drove a [[Porsche 907]] with [[Gerhard Mitter]] until their camshaft failed.<ref>{{cite web|title=24 Hours Le Mans (Int.)|url=http://jochenrindt.com/en/racing/24-hours-le-mans-int-4/|website=jochenrindt.com|publisher=Natasha Rindt|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116162906/http://jochenrindt.com/en/racing/24-hours-le-mans-int-4/ |archive-date=16 January 2016}}</ref>

===Formula One===
====Cooper (1964–1967)====
Rindt made his Formula One debut at his home race, the [[1964 Austrian Grand Prix]], in a loaned [[Brabham BT11]] supplied by the [[Rob Walker Racing Team]]. He retired on the 58th lap with a broken steering column in his only Grand Prix of the season.{{sfn|Reuß|2010}}<ref>{{cite journal|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|author-link=Denis Jenkinson|title=Austrian Grand Prix|journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|date=7 July 2014 |issue=October 1964|page=39|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/october-1964/39/austrian-grand-prix|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116184204/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/october-1964/39/austrian-grand-prix |archive-date=16 January 2016}}</ref>
[[File:1965-08-01 Rindt, Jochen - Cooper Climax.jpg|thumb|Rindt on his way to fourth place at the [[1965 German Grand Prix]]|alt=Black-and-white photograph of Jochen Rindt racing in a wingless Cooper Formula One car with his name visibly written on the side of the car]]

For the [[1965 Formula One season]], Rindt signed as a permanent driver with Cooper, paired with [[Bruce McLaren]]. He was not immediately successful as Cooper, formerly a top team, were struggling at the time. In his first race, the [[1965 South African Grand Prix]], he developed transistor trouble; the damage was initially repaired but the problem recurred and Rindt had to retire from the race.<ref>{{cite journal|title=11th South African Grand Prix|journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|date=7 July 2014 |issue=February 1965|page=28|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/february-1965/28/11th-south-african|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116191023/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/february-1965/28/11th-south-african }}</ref> His best result was a fourth place at the [[1965 German Grand Prix|German Grand Prix]] at the Nürburgring.<ref name=walitsch/> He ended the season with four points, 13th in the championship.<ref>{{cite journal|title=1965 F1 World Championship|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/database/championships/1-f1/147-1965-f1-world-championship|journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116185207/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/database/championships/1-f1/147-1965-f1-world-championship |archive-date=16 January 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Dauerausstellung 360GRAZ - Overall von Jochen Rindt aus der Saison 1966.jpg|thumb|Rindt's overalls for the [[1966 Formula One season|1966 season]]]]
For {{F1|1966}}, Cooper introduced the [[Cooper T81|T81]] chassis and used nine-year old [[Maserati in Formula One|Maserati]] [[V12 engine]]s, which were powerful but heavy. A new engine formula was introduced for the season, with the capacity doubled to three litres.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=1966 F1 World Championship|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1-f1/148-1966-f1-world-championship|magazine=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|access-date=16 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116112323/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1-f1/148-1966-f1-world-championship|archive-date=16 November 2016}}</ref> Many teams struggled with the new rules, leaving Cooper competitive even with their old Maserati V12s. After McLaren left, Rindt became team leader until {{F1|1964}} world champion [[John Surtees]] joined from [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]].<ref name=walitsch/> At the second race of the year, the {{F1GP|1966|Belgian}}, Rindt overcame an engine failure in practice to qualify second, next to Surtees on the front row of the grid. In a race affected by heavy rain, he overtook Surtees for the lead on lap four. He spun several times on the wet track and suffered from a [[limited-slip differential]], but held onto the lead until lap 21, when Surtees repassed him and won. It was Rindt's first ever podium finish in Formula One, after what ''Motor Sport'' magazine called a "very courageous" drive.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|author-link=Denis Jenkinson|title=Belgian GP|journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|date=7 July 2014 |issue=July 1966|page=16|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-1966/16/belgian-gp|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116192122/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-1966/16/belgian-gp }}</ref> Overall, he achieved three podium positions, handing him third place in the championship at the end of the year.{{sfn|Reuß|2010}}<ref>{{cite magazine|title=1966 F1 World Championship|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/database/championships/1-f1/148-1966-f1-world-championship|magazine=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116185825/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/database/championships/1-f1/148-1966-f1-world-championship |archive-date=16 January 2016}}</ref>

{{F1|1967}} was less successful, as Rindt only finished two races, the [[1967 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgian]] and [[1967 Italian Grand Prix|Italian Grands Prix]], both in fourth place.<ref name=walitsch/> Six points meant that he ended the season in 13th place in the championship.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=1967 F1 World Championship|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/database/championships/1-f1/149-1967-f1-world-championship|magazine=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116190423/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/database/championships/1-f1/149-1967-f1-world-championship |archive-date=16 January 2016}}</ref>

====Brabham (1968)====
Prior to {{F1|1968}}, Rindt received offers from every team except [[Team Lotus|Lotus]] and [[Honda in Formula One|Honda]],{{sfn|Giesser|2010}} and moved to Brabham, who had been world champions in the two previous seasons. Technical problems restricted him that year. Brabham's [[Repco#Repco V8 engine|Repco V8 engine]] was not competitive against the now widely used [[Cosworth DFV]]<ref name=walitsch/> and Rindt finished just two races, both in third place. At the season opener in [[1968 South African Grand Prix|South Africa]] on New Year's Day, Rindt placed third, being elevated by a late retirement from [[Jackie Stewart]] and closing on second-placed Graham Hill towards the end.<ref>{{cite web|title=Clark eases to victory in last grand prix|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/story/56585.html|publisher=ESPN|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116202324/http://en.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/story/56585.html |archive-date=16 January 2016|date=1 January 1968}}</ref> The race was won by [[Jim Clark]], a close friend of Rindt's. It was Clark's final Formula One race; he died three months later at a Formula Two race at [[Hockenheimring|Hockenheim]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tsvyk|first1=Andrew|title=1968 South African Grand Prix flashback|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2009/01/21/1968-south-african-grand-prix-flashback/|publisher=F1Fanatic|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116202105/http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2009/01/21/1968-south-african-grand-prix-flashback/ |archive-date=16 January 2016|date=21 January 2009}}</ref> Rindt was deeply affected by his death, telling Austrian journalist Heinz Prüller: "If Jim Clark is not safe, what can happen to us?"{{sfn|Reuß|2010}} His second podium finish came in heavy rain and fog at the Nürburgring at the {{F1GP|1968|German}}, a race dominated by Stewart, who finished four minutes ahead of Hill in second place. Rindt had closed on Hill in the latter stages of the race after the Englishman spun, and finished just four seconds behind after a close battle during the last lap.<ref>{{cite web|title=Masterful Stewart tames treacherous Nurburgring|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/story/56647.html|publisher=ESPN|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116202849/http://en.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/story/56647.html |archive-date=16 January 2016|date=4 August 1968}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Födisch|first1=Jörg Thomas|last2=Völker|first2=Bernhard|last3=Behrndt|first3=Michael|title=Der große Preis von Deutschland. Alle Rennen seit 1926|date=2008|publisher=Heel Verlag|location=Königswinter|isbn=978-3-86852-043-9|page=120}}</ref> His eight points placed him twelfth in the championship at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=1968 F1 World Championship|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/database/championships/1-f1/150-1968-f1-world-championship|magazine=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116203211/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/database/championships/1-f1/150-1968-f1-world-championship |archive-date=16 January 2016}}</ref>

During these years, he also raced in the [[Indianapolis 500]] in both [[1967 Indianapolis 500|1967]] and [[1968 Indianapolis 500|1968]], but finished only 24th and 32nd,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=1967 Indianapolis 500|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/database/races/572-1967-indianapolis-500|magazine=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116204005/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/database/races/572-1967-indianapolis-500 |archive-date=16 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=1968 Indianapolis 500|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/database/races/573-1968-indianapolis-500|magazine=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116204048/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/database/races/573-1968-indianapolis-500 |archive-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> completing only five laps in 1968 after finishing slightly more than half of the 1967 race. After dropping out of the 1967 race, Rindt was interviewed on the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network|radio network]] by Luke Walton. When asked what he thought of the "500", he said "not much".<ref>{{cite episode|series=Beyond the Bricks with Jake Query & Mike Thomsen|title=Jake and Mike Talk About Dave MacDonald, Indy 500 Year Books and more!|station=[[WFNI]]|airdate=May 22, 2024}}</ref> In an interview in 2014, Heinz Prüller recalled Rindt speaking about Indianapolis in 1967: "In Indianapolis, I always feel like I am on my way to my own funeral."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Menath|first1=Christian|title=Heinz Prüller: Erinnerungen an Jochen Rindt – Besser als Senna|url=http://www.motorsport-magazin.com/formel1/news-199638-interview-heinz-prueller-erinnerungen-an-jochen-rindt-besser-als-senna/|website=motorsport-magazin.com|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116203559/http://www.motorsport-magazin.com/formel1/news-199638-interview-heinz-prueller-erinnerungen-an-jochen-rindt-besser-als-senna/ |archive-date=16 January 2016|language=de|date=7 September 2014}}</ref> At another occasion, he said about the track: "It is catastrophic, I only drive there because of the money."<ref name=spiegel2/>

====Team Lotus (1969–1970)====
=====1969 season=====
[[File:Chapman and Rindt at 1970 Dutch Grand Prix.jpg|thumb|Rindt had a strained relationship with [[Team Lotus|Lotus]] team owner [[Colin Chapman]].|alt=Black-and-white photograph of Colin Chapman on the left and Rindt on the right conversing in the pit lane in front of a brick wall]]
For the [[1969 Formula One season|1969 season]], Rindt signed for the 1968 World Constructors' Champion Lotus, where he joined the defending Drivers' Champion Graham Hill. Rindt felt uncomfortable with the move, owing to the notorious unreliability of the Lotus car; in a twenty-month period between 1967 and 1969, the team was involved in 31 accidents. Hill alone had nine crashes between 1968 and 1970, which led him to joke: "Every time I am being overtaken by my own wheel, I know I am in a Lotus."<ref name=spiegel3>{{cite journal|title=Immer Angst|journal=Der Spiegel|date=14 September 1970|issue=38/1970|url=http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-44906605.html|access-date=16 January 2016|trans-title=Always afraid|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116205543/http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-44906605.html |archive-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> When Rindt joined Lotus, his friend and ''de facto'' manager [[Bernie Ecclestone]], who had negotiated the deal, remarked that they were aware that Brabham may have been a better choice of team but the speed of the Lotus gave Rindt a chance to win the championship.{{sfn|Reuß|2010}} Rindt commented: "At Lotus, I can either be world champion or die."<ref name=spiegel1/>{{sfn|Zwickl|2007|p=78}} Because of his uncertainty about the wisdom of joining the team, Rindt did not sign the Lotus contract until shortly before the [[1969 Spanish Grand Prix]].{{sfn|Reuß|2010}}
[[File:Jochen Rindt 1969 German GP.jpg|thumb|left|Rindt at the [[1969 German Grand Prix]]|alt=Side-view color photograph of Rindt racing a red and white Lotus Formula One car with a wing attached at the rear]]
Rindt's hesitancy appeared justified when both he and Hill suffered high speed crashes at the Spanish Grand Prix at [[Montjuïc circuit|Montjuïc]]. In both instances, the suspension mounted wings on the cars broke off, causing accidents that could have killed either driver. The effect of the failure lifted Rindt's car off the track and into the barriers, where it collided with the stationary car of Hill, whose accident occurred at the same spot.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stewart profits from Lotus failures|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/story/56823.html|publisher=ESPN|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116223906/http://en.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/story/56823.html |archive-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> Although Rindt only suffered a broken nose, one [[Motorsport marshal|marshal]] lost an eye and another had his foot broken. Rindt was furious with Lotus's team owner, [[Colin Chapman]], over the failure; he told a reporter after the accident: "I place the blame on him [Chapman] and rightfully so, because he should have calculated that the wing would break." In an interview on Austrian television a day later, he said: "These wings are insanity [''ein Wahnsinn''] in my eyes and should not be allowed on racing cars. ... But to get any wisdom into Colin Chapman's head is impossible." Asked whether he had lost trust in Lotus after the accident, he replied: "I never had any trust in Lotus", going on to describe his relationship with the team as "purely business".{{sfn|Giesser|2010}}{{sfn|Reuß|2010}} His accident left him sidelined for the {{F1GP|1969|Monaco}}, a race that Hill won.<ref name=forix>{{cite web|last1=Diepraam|first1=Mattijs|title=The Champions / Jochen Rindt. Fearless until the end|url=http://www.forix.com/8w/rindt.html|website=forix.com|publisher=8W|access-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117183454/http://www.forix.com/8w/rindt.html |archive-date=17 January 2016|date=17 March 2007}}</ref>

Jackie Stewart later described Rindt's 1969 season as the year that he "came of age".{{sfn|Giesser|2010}} At the end of the year, ''Motor Sport'' magazine called him "[t]he only driver to challenge Stewart seriously throughout the season", albeit placing only fourth in the championship. The poor reliability of the [[Lotus 49|Lotus 49B]] affected him; he retired from seven races.<ref name=mmm69>{{cite journal|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|author-link=Denis Jenkinson|title=The Grand Prix Drivers|journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|date=30 November 2010 |issue=December 1969|page=48|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/december-1969/48/lotus-49-b-jochen-rindt|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116211150/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/december-1969/48/lotus-49-b-jochen-rindt |archive-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> At the {{F1GP|1969|British}}, Rindt fought a close battle with Stewart for the lead; both men were 90 seconds ahead of third-placed Jacky Ickx. The race was decided in Stewart's favour only when Rindt had to enter the pits after part of his car's bodywork started to rub on the tyre; he finished fourth.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Owen|first1=Oliver|title=The 10 most dramatic F1 races|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/mar/07/features.sportmonthly|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151228071226/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/mar/07/features.sportmonthly |archive-date=28 December 2015|date=6 March 2004}}</ref> At the {{F1GP|1969|Italian}}, he was involved in a memorable finish. Having started from pole position, he traded the lead with Stewart and [[Piers Courage]] several times. During the last lap, Rindt, Stewart, McLaren, and [[Jean-Pierre Beltoise]] were running close together as they approached the finish line. Stewart took the win, only eight hundredths of a second ahead of Rindt, while fourth placed McLaren was also within two tenths of a second. It was the closest 1–2–3–4 finish in the history of the sport.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schot |first1=Marcel |title=A Race to Remember: The 1969 Italian GP |url=http://atlasf1.autosport.com/2000/ita/preview/schot.html |website=autosport.com |access-date=15 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115101444/http://atlasf1.autosport.com/2000/ita/preview/schot.html |archive-date=15 November 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Rindt recorded his maiden Grand Prix win at the penultimate race of the season [[1969 United States Grand Prix|at Watkins Glen]], winning $50,000—the largest monetary prize in Formula One history at the time.{{sfn|Giesser|2010}} His victory was overshadowed by a serious accident involving his teammate Hill, who crashed after a high speed puncture and suffered major leg injuries.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Benson|first1=Andrew|title=Formula 1's greatest drivers. Number 19: Graham Hill|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/17406716|publisher=BBC|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116212215/http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/17406716 |archive-date=16 January 2016|date=20 March 2012}}</ref>

=====1970 season=====
For {{F1|1970}}, Rindt's partner at Lotus was [[John Miles (racing driver)|John Miles]]; Graham Hill had left the team to drive for Rob Walker's [[Privateer (motorsport)|customer franchise]]. Rindt became the clear team leader.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Grand Prix scene|journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|date=7 July 2014 |issue=March 1970|page=24|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/march-1970/24/grand-prix-scene|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116225253/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/march-1970/24/grand-prix-scene }}</ref> At the first Grand Prix of the season in [[1970 South African Grand Prix|South Africa]], he qualified fourth, but eventually retired with an engine failure after a first lap incident with [[Chris Amon]] and [[Jack Brabham]], the latter of whom went on to win for the final time in his career.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Grand Prix of South Africa|journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|date=7 July 2014 |issue=April 1970|page=30|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/april-1970/30/grand-prix-south-africa|archive-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116230200/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/april-1970/30/grand-prix-south-africa }}</ref> At the following race, the {{F1GP|1970|Spanish}}, Lotus introduced their revolutionary new car design. Instead of one conventional front radiator, the [[Lotus 72]] featured two, one on each side of the cockpit. Further innovations included torsion bar suspension in place of the widely used coil-springs, and all four brakes mounted inboard to reduce unsprung weight.<ref name=mmmspain70>{{cite journal|title=The Grand Prix of Spain|journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|date=7 July 2014 |issue=May 1970|page=30|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/may-1970/30/grand-prix-spain|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116231255/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/may-1970/30/grand-prix-spain }}</ref> During its first practice session, the left semi-axle of the car broke, sending Rindt into a spin.{{sfn|Giesser|2010}} The car also proved ineffective in the race; Rindt retired after nine laps.<ref name=mmmspain70/>

As the Lotus 72 was not as effective as the team hoped, it was returned to the factory to be re-built and Rindt used the old Lotus 49 for the next race in [[1970 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]]. The necessity of using tyres intended for the new design made the older car unstable. Seemingly unaffected by this, Rindt produced what his race engineer [[Herbie Blash]] called "the race of his life". From eighth on the grid, he worked his way through the field on a track notorious for presenting few overtaking opportunities. In the closing stages, he was second, steadily closing the gap on leader Jack Brabham. On the final lap, on the final corner, Brabham braked too late, touched the kerbstone and went straight ahead into the straw bales, allowing Rindt through to take his first victory of the season. Rindt used the Lotus 49 one last time at the {{F1GP|1970|Belgian}}, a race at which he heavily criticised the organisers for installing guardrails that had gaps of several metres between them.{{sfn|Reuß|2010}} He had originally started practice in the remodelled 72, but the car came to a halt early in the session with a broken [[Double wishbone suspension|lower wishbone]], forcing Rindt to switch cars once more. Despite engine troubles during the rest of practice, he managed to qualify on the front row, but later retired with another engine failure.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Belgian Grand Prix|journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|date=7 July 2014 |issue=July 1970|page=36|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-1970/36/belgian-grand-prix|access-date=17 January 2016|archive-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117100355/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-1970/36/belgian-grand-prix }}</ref>

[[File:Rindt at 1970 Dutch Grand Prix.jpg|thumb|Rindt took the [[Lotus 72]]'s maiden victory at the [[1970 Dutch Grand Prix]].|alt=Black-and-white photograph of Rindt racing a flat and winged Formula One car through a corner]]
At the {{F1GP|1970|Dutch}}, Rindt eventually used the new Lotus 72, better sorted after alterations had been made. He set pole position in the final practice session, almost a quarter of a second ahead of his closest challenger, Stewart.<ref>{{Cite magazine|author= Jenkinson, Denis |author-link= Denis Jenkinson |url= http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/august-1970/44/dutch-grand-prix-technical-step-forward |date= August 1970 |title= The Dutch Grand Prix: A Technical Step Forward |magazine= [[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]] |volume= 46 |issue= 8 |pages= 850–853 }}</ref> Rindt went on to take his maiden victory in the Lotus 72, but it was not a joyful occasion for him; on lap 23, his close friend Piers Courage, with whom he had eaten dinner just the night before, died in a fiery crash. Rindt was heavily shaken by the loss of yet another fellow driver and contemplated retirement.{{sfn|Henry|1990|p=99}}

After the success at [[Circuit Park Zandvoort|Zandvoort]], Rindt gained confidence in the new Lotus 72, describing it as "the best racing car that exists at the moment".{{sfn|Giesser|2010}} But he continued to have problems. During practice for the {{F1GP|1970|French}}, Rindt opted to drop his new all-enveloping Bell-Star crash helmet, finding it too hot. He went back to using his open-front helmet, only to be hit in the face by a stone from another car, causing a deep cut on his right cheek.<ref name=mmmfrance70>{{cite journal|title=The French Grand Prix|journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|date=7 July 2014 |issue=August 1970|page=32|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/august-1970/32/french-grand-prix|access-date=17 January 2016|archive-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117102323/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/august-1970/32/french-grand-prix }}</ref> He also suffered a steering failure on his car. Furious over yet another mechanical problem, he stormed into the Lotus garage and yelled at Colin Chapman: "If this happens again and I survive, I will kill all of you!"{{sfn|Giesser|2010}} Rindt was still able to win the race, taking the lead in the championship.<ref name=mmmfrance70/> The next race was the {{F1GP|1970|British}} at [[Brands Hatch]]. Jacky Ickx established an early lead ahead of Brabham and Rindt, but when Ickx's transmission failed, Rindt seized the opportunity to pass Brabham for the lead. Brabham was then able to regain the top spot on lap 69 as Rindt missed a gear and looked the certain winner, only to repeat his misfortune of Monaco: on the last lap, he ran out of fuel, allowing Rindt to take his third win in a row. His victory was cast into doubt shortly after the race when Chief Scrutineer Cecil Mitchell found the rear aerofoil not at the regulated height. Rindt was provisionally disqualified, only to be reinstated as winner after three hours of deliberation.{{sfn|Giesser|2010}}<ref>{{cite journal|title=23rd British Grand Prix|journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|date=August 1970|page=22|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/august-1970/22/23rd-british-grand-prix|access-date=17 January 2016|archive-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117103607/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/august-1970/22/23rd-british-grand-prix }}</ref>

The {{F1GP|1970|German}} was originally set to take place at its traditional venue, the Nürburgring. The [[Grand Prix Drivers' Association]] (GPDA), represented by Rindt and Graham Hill, demanded changes to the circuit to increase safety, including [[AK Steel Holding|Armco]] barriers along the entire {{convert|22.8|km|mi}} of the ''Nordschleife''. No agreement was reached and the Grand Prix moved to Hockenheim, where Rindt took his fourth victory in succession. The race was another two-way fight, this time between Rindt and Ickx, who exchanged the lead several times.{{sfn|Reuß|2010}} This meant that he could have secured the drivers' title at his home event at the {{F1GP|1970|Austrian}}. He set the Lotus 72 on pole position, to the delight of the crowd, but retired from the race with an engine failure.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The 8th Austrian Grand Prix|journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|date=12 January 2016 |issue=September 1970|page=22|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/september-1970/22/8th-austrian-grand-prix|access-date=17 January 2016|archive-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117104950/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/september-1970/22/8th-austrian-grand-prix }}</ref> The title decision was therefore postponed to the next race in [[Autodromo Nazionale Monza|Monza]].{{sfn|Giesser|2010}}