When Jackie Stewart met Giacomo Agostini
Sometimes even a three-time Formula 1 world champion has to be talked into his job. For example, when he chases his son's million-dollar car up a narrow mountain road and his nervous son sits powerlessly in the passenger seat.
This year's Ollon-Villars hill climb was the occasion for the founding ceremony of the new Automobile Club de Villars, to which a number of celebrities from the world of historic motorsport were invited. Including Sir Jackie Stewart and his son Paul with his Ferrari 275 GTB. "He always wanted to tell me where to brake, accelerate or change gear. Okay, of course it's his Ferrari. I could never afford a car like that," said the world champion, summarizing his impressions after the drive. What's more, as a "local", Paul Stewart probably knows the track a good deal better than his old man, as he lives in Emmanuel de Graffenried's former chalet in Villars.
In addition to Stewart, motorcycling great Giacomo Agostini also came to Villars. Like the Scot, the Italian had also been there 50 years ago, but not for a mountain race, but for the winter racing festival organized by Bernard Cahier with Ski-Bob and Ski-Doo. This time, Agostini confined himself to watching. But that was probably enough for him. Because, like Stewart, he noticed that there were not only beautiful cars to see, but also beautiful women.
Jackie Stewart, always up for a joke, immediately noted that motorcycle racers were not only much richer than Formula 1 drivers, but also much more successful with women. Conversely, Agostini said when asked by the Scotsman that it was solely due to his success with women that he still looked so young at the age of 80. So it was an instructive Saturday for Sir Stewart.
