Stewart's emotional final lap stirs hearts in Bahrain

At 85, Sir Jackie Stewart likely drove his final lap in an F1 car last weekend at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

On board his 1973 title-winning Tyrrell 006, the three-time World Champion cruised behind the safety car in a poignant exhibition run, marking what he believes was his ultimate run behind the wheel of a Grand Prix racer.

The event, steeped in nostalgia, coincided with the 75th anniversary of F1 and the 60th anniversary of Stewart’s debut, amplifying its emotional weight.

Reflecting on the experience, Stewart told Reuters: “I would have thought that’s it”.

“You don’t forget where first gear, fifth gear is. The car felt wonderful. I mean, we didn’t go fast but the whole feeling of the car was great … it was fun to do it.”

The physical challenge of suiting up amused him: “’This is a problem’,” he recalled thinking.

“Getting dressed, so much stuff, everything’s thermal. As if I were racing. Somebody made the overalls from down here (in Bahrain).

“Actually, I think it’s the same people who build the helmets. They did a good job.”

And speaking of helmets, during his run, Sir Jackie sported a special lid, adorned with Royal Stewart tartan and signed by all 20 living F1 champions – including Michael Schumacher – that will be auctioned to fund Race Against Dementia, a charity Stewart founded after his wife Helen’s 2014 diagnosis.

His son Mark, who owns the Tyrrell, explained: “We’re not in a rush, but we know we have something very valuable here. And you know, at the end of the season, we might be able to get a new World Champion to sign it on top of it.

“As long as it raises money, that’s the main thing. It’s a special thing … To get my father together with his helmet and his 1973 World Championship car is unique and a real special moment.

“We’re all here. All his grandchildren are here to see this.”