F1Weekly Podcast # 835

CLARK AND NASIR ARE TRYING TO PREPARE FOR THIS 2020 FORMULA 1 SEASON BUT, VETTEL MUST HAVE ONE LAST TRICK UP HIS SLEEVE!… WE’VE GOT SOME GARRY SLOAN AND THIS WEEKS VINTAGE INTERVIEW IS…JACKIE OLIVER!!

Oliver got his first taste of motor racing at club level in his native Britain in 1961, moving through the ranks after a series of impressive performances. His pre-Formula One career would also see him finish as a class runner up in the 1966 British Saloon Car Championship, and continued to race in Formula Two, after attracting support from Team Lotus for the 1967 season.

Oliver was part of Team Lotus works team, competing for them at several Formula Two races after Colin Chapman asked him to join the team. Fate then decided that the organisers at the 1967 German Grand Prix had arranged for a Formula Two race to support the Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, meaning all of the Lotus crews would be there.  When the entry list for the feature race proved short, Oliver and his F2 colleagues were allowed to enter the race using their non-Championship equipment, with Oliver producing a mesmerising drive. The Brit danced his F2 car around the circuit on race day, climbing from nineteenth on the grid to finish fifth, although he was not eligible for points. Oliver would return to his regular F2 campaign after his memorable début.

Sadly, Oliver’s full début would come in the wake of two of the most tragic losses to the racing world. Jim Clark’s death in a Formula Two race in April had seen Mike Spence replace him at Team Lotus, only for the latter to die during practice for the 1968 Indianapolis 500, with Team Lotus opting not to attend the second race of the season. Oliver was drafted into the vacant seat for the third round in Monaco, but retired early on after getting involved in an accident caused by Bruce McLaren.

Play Podcast: 06-09-20f1weekly835.mp3