Ex-Lotus F1 driver Reine Wisell has passed away at 80

©TheCahierArchive

Reine Wisell, who raced in Formula 1 in the early seventies, has passed away at 80.

The Swedish driver who rose through the junior ranks alongside his popular countryman Ronnie Peterson was highly rated by Lotus founder Colin Chapman who called upon his services after the tragic death at Monza in 1970 of Jochen Rindt.

Wisell was entrusted with Team Lotus' 72C for the final two rounds of the 1970 world championship, racing alongside fellow young gun Emerson Fittipaldi, and acquitted himself remarkably well, scoring a podium finish on his F1 debut at Watkins Glen.

The Swede was retained by Lotus the following year and scored points in four races, achieving his best result in 1971 at the Austrian Grand Prix where he finished fourth.

©TheCahierArchive

Wisell pressed on in F1 in 1972, enjoying six outings with the BRM team before he returned to Lotus for the final two races of the season, but his career as a Grand Prix driver simply fizzled thereafter.

A one-off in a private March followed in 1973 before he bowed out of F1 at his home race in Sweden, again with a March, in 1974.

Like many drivers of his era, Wisell also applied his talent in sportscar racing and in saloon racing events with various success.

He remained in touch with the sport in his latter years, advising burgeoning young Swedish talents such as Arrow McLaren SP charger Felix Rosenqvist who paid a heartfelt tribute on social media to the late racer.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.