AMERICA’S FORGOTTEN F1 WINNER

GINTHER’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP F1 CAREER

Starts: 52

Wins: 1

Podiums: 14

Best qualifying: 2nd

Fastest laps: 3

Points: 107

One of the five Americans to win a Formula 1 World Championship grand prix once finished runner-up in the standings, gave Honda and Goodyear their first victory, took 14 podiums, and was also very successful in US sportscar racing. He invented the rear spoiler, developed the iconic ‘Sharknose’ Ferrari 156, and is arguably F1’s greatest test and development driver. Yet, despite all these achievements, Richie Ginther is somewhat forgotten.

Born almost 90 years ago, on 5 August 1930, Ginther evolved from a sickly, somewhat solitary childhood into a teenager with a fascination and appreciation for mechanical devices. His father worked in the tool-and-die industry (as did Richie briefly), but Ginther Jr’s mechanical interest was focused on cars, about which he was fiercely passionate.

“HE REVELLED IN HIS TESTING ROLE AND HIS WORK WAS PIVOTAL