Rindt's unique spot in F1 history, but not a happy one

Jochen Rindt holds a unique position in the annals of Formula 1 - but it's not a happy one. The legendary Austrian driver, who died on this day at Monza in 1970, is the only man in the history of the sport to have been crowned World Champion posthumously.

In 1970, Rindt was driving for Team Lotus alongside John Miles. He won the Monaco Grand Prix with what his race engineer Herbie Blash called "the race of his life" after Jack Brabham crashed out on the last corner of the final lap.

Engine failure put him out of the Belgian Grand Prix, but armed with Lotus' redoubtable new wedge-shaped 72, he then took four victories back-to-back in the Netherlands, France, Britain and Germany.

When he arrived at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, Rindt was leading the championship.

Tragically, during practice, the massiveley talented 28-year-old crashed heavily on the approach to the Parabolica after his car had suffered a front brake-shaft failure.

He hit a stanchion at a very open angle, an impact that was devastating for Rindt whose safety harness did not include crotch straps, as he disliked them.

But the loosely bolted barrier likely also contributed to the severity of the Lotus driver's injuries.

There were still four races remaining in the season, with Ferrari's Jacky Ickx the only driver capable of overhauling Rindt.

The great Belgian won two of the last three races but ultimately came up short by five points in the world championship, a loss that Jacky gracefully never regretted, as he felt that defeating a deceased rival would have only delivered a world title with very little value.