52 replies to this topic

[Steffen]

I am aware of F1 drivers who used to be smokers.

James Hunt and Keke Rosberg come to mind. And even Niki Lauda seemed to have the habit to start smoking in public just before the next contract negotiations with Marlboro.

 

But I recently came across a picture of Patrick Depailler in 1977, where he seemed to be smoking, while sitting in his Tyrrell:

 

Picture by Joe Honda, JOE HONDA Racing Pictorial Series Nr. 02 "Tyrrell P34 1977", page 10

 

 

I don't remember having seen any other picture with a F1 driver in his car with a cigarette.

So I wonder, did Depailler really smoke in his F1 cars, or do I mix up something here?

The switch in front of his left hand is silver on other pictures, and other pictures verify that Depailler used his left hand to hold his cigarettes:

https://www.motorspo...iller cigarette
 

[Michael Ferner]

 

C’est ci n’est pas une pipe – The Chicane

[JacnGille]

I have a pic squirrelled away somewhere of an IMSA driver, cig in mouth, during a race.

[Henri Greuter]

Depailler was a known chain-smoker, I've read somewhere (I think within a Pruller Grand Prix Story) that going to Ligier was not necessary for free smokes while he already got a supply by a French tobacco company

 

In a "Beyond the bricks" podcast of last week  on a local Indianapolis radio station it was mentioned that several drivers were seen with cigars within their mouths while on the track but the cigars were used as protection against rattling teeth when at speed at the Speedway.

[john aston]

Dick Trickle was the smoker supreme - with a  hole drilled in his helmet so he could spark up a Lucky (or Camel or Marlboro ?) during full course yellows in NASCAR .  

[wheadon1985]

Dick Trickle was the smoker supreme - with a hole drilled in his helmet so he could spark up a Lucky (or Camel or Marlboro ?) during full course yellows in NASCAR .

There is a few videos on YouTube that specifically shows this.

[dbltop]

David Pearson had a cigarette lighter in his stock cars, and was known to flick his butts at other cars.

[Tim Murray]

[messy]

A different world back then! Who was the last F1 driver who was a regular smoker? Kimi doesn’t count, I bet loads of them smoke on a night out in the off-season. The last driver I remember smoking was maybe Maldonado? In the late 90s a surprising number of them still did.

[AJCee]

Dick Trickle was the smoker supreme - with a hole drilled in his helmet so he could spark up a Lucky (or Camel or Marlboro ?) during full course yellows in NASCAR .

Barry Sheena did the same, so that he could have a fag as close to start time as possible.

Edited by AJCee, 08 May 2023 - 20:21.

[Parkesi]

 De Portago

[Parkesi]

Maurice Trintignant

[Parkesi]

Achille Varzi

[Parkesi]

Tazio Nuvolari 

[Bloggsworth]

I seem to recall, during a Willhire 24 Hour race at Snetterton, an Alfa Romeo driver was black-flagged during the race for smoking while driving.

[Lee Nicolle]

In fairly recent times a Tasmanian Vee driver had been known to drive off from the dummy grid with a cigarette clamped in his mouth,, open face helmet.

I know a couple of tintop drivers who still carry cigarettes lighter etc in the glove box.

I do not know of any rule against it,, apart from common sense.

[john aston]

At an HSCC Cadwell  a year or two ago I saw a Mallock driver rolling a fag (US readers - 'fag ' is British slang for cigarette, not something  risque )  as he free wheeled down to the paddock assembly area - a common enough sight in period but I dare say likely to trigger a stewards' investigation now , if not a pit lane penalty     

[Michael Ferner]

Stop'n'go, or five seconds added to the race time?

[jeffbee]

I remember a story that Denny Hulme would light up on the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans to enjoy a quick smoke when he drove the Abarth there in 1961.

[marksixman]

A friend recently sent me this image, knowing I had a soft spot for Francoise Hardy - well, who didn't !

 

I forwarded it to a few friends with the comment "Look at that idiot leaning over a racing car with cigarette on".

 

The general drift of replies was "What racing car" !!

 

[Parkesi]

The idiot is John Frankenheimer (usually with pipe), director of „Grand Prix“/1966

[rl1856]

Jimmy Bryan made quite an impression during the pair of Races of Two Worlds for driving with a lit cigar in his mouth, while handling his roadster at 180+mph along the bumpy Monza track.

[Parkesi]

Not in a race car but my favorite pic: Vic Elford

[SamoanAttorney]

No mention of Smokin' Jo Winkelhock....who I understand would light up during the interminable full course yellows at the Nürburgring 24.

 

I recall being in the Audi pit at Sebring in '99, Perry McCarthy is somewhat hot and bothered after climbing from the R8R and was receiving aid from the Audi physio, Frank Biela leant over with a pack of Marlboro offering a delighted Perry a cigarette.... 

[barrykm]

It looks so cool, I might start again...

[10kDA]

https://postimg.cc/NyfJqt9T

[E1pix]

I seem to recall, during a Willhire 24 Hour race at Snetterton, an Alfa Romeo driver was black-flagged during the race for smoking while driving.

I think that was to give the driver more papers.

[E1pix]

What this thread really needs is a photo of Herbert Muller with a quarter-inch by one-inch cigar — as personally seen on the Road America Can-Am grid in 1971.

The quarter inch was the length.

[Parkesi]

Herbert Müller / CH called "Stumpen-Herbie" = " cheroot Herbie"

[absinthedude]

In more recent times, Michael Schumacher was said to enjoy a cigar at the end of season parties. I think he offered one to Damon Hill once, who found the experience of smoking it rather unpleasant. 

 

Does Jan Magnussen still smoke? 

 

There are plenty of photos and films of racing drivers certainly up to the 1960s having a cigarette in the car before or after a race. The majority of adults smoked in those times and it probably didn't seem out of place. I am sure I've seen a film clip from the 1930s of a car in the pits being refuelled while the driver puffs away on a cigarette! 

[9203RW]

I remember a story that Denny Hulme would light up on the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans to enjoy a quick smoke when he drove the Abarth there in 1961.

 

As did Peter Harper.  A notoriously heavy smoker, he would drag on his cigarette all the way down the Mulsanne, then put it in the ash tray for the remainder of the lap until he cleared Tertre Rouge next time round.

[RobertE]

Both Archie Scott-Brown and Stirling Moss smoked, Archie rather a lot. I'm not sure if Roy Salvadori did. And there is also a famous snap of de Portago with a ciggie while his car is being refuelled. Doug! You'll have it...

Edited by RobertE, 12 May 2023 - 07:35.

[Allan Lupton]

As did Peter Harper.  A notoriously heavy smoker, he would drag on his cigarette all the way down the Mulsanne, then put it in the ash tray for the remainder of the lap until he cleared Tertre Rouge next time round.

Yes I remember hearing a talk on Harrington coachbuilders by Clive Harrington who also told us that he showed his newly restored Le Mans Harrington Alpine to Peter Proctor who was upset that there was no ashtray. He pointed out that both Peters were heavy smokers so an ashtray was essential.

[funformula]

Both Archie Scott-Brown and Stirling Moss smoked, Archie rather a lot. I'm not sure if Roy Salvadori did. And there is also a famous snap of de Portago with a ciggie while his car is being refuelled. Doug! You'll have it...

 

[Radoye]

[Steffen]

Many thanks for all the contributions to this topic!  

I was hoping someone could confirm having seen Depailler smoking in one of his F1 cars, but still I like the way this thread developed.

If you watch one of the documentaries focusing on the 50's, 60's and 70's of motorracing, the cars are often described as mobile petrol bombs. For that reason I find it interesting to see the drivers back then even lighted a cigarette in their car.

[Dick Dastardly]

Given the number of drivers and personnel who smoked back in the day, at least the tobacco companies put something back into the sport by sponsoring teams, championships and individual races 

[AJCee]

Would the present day addiction equivalent be a ‘Tweet now’ function on the steering wheel?

[JacnGille]

I remember a story that Denny Hulme would light up on the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans to enjoy a quick smoke when he drove the Abarth there in 1961.

I don't remember ever reading or seeing a pic noting that The Bear smoked.

[LittleChris]

Allegedly Alain Ferte used to spark up on the exit of Tertre Rouge then drag like hell before Mulsanne Corner ( good thing the Kink was flat in those days ) . Presumably a Silk Cut in his Jag days 

[E1pix]

It’s not the high-speed smoking that kills ya, it’s the searching for the ashtray.

[Arjan de Roos]

Many thanks for all the contributions to this topic!

I was hoping someone could confirm having seen Depailler smoking in one of his F1 cars, but still I like the way this thread developed.

If you watch one of the documentaries focusing on the 50's, 60's and 70's of motorracing, the cars are often described as mobile petrol bombs. For that reason I find it interesting to see the drivers back then even lighted a cigarette in their car.

 

Some months ago I did hear Jan Lammers say that he watched Patrick putting on his helmet after which he exhaled and the smoke left his helmet in all directions. Very funny.  

[Arjan de Roos]

 

While Ferrari mechanic Luigi Parenti is checking the fuel level. Times have changed...

[brucemoxon]

Considering some of the cars and circuits, smoking might have been the safest thing these people did. 

 

 

BRM

[Dick Dastardly]

I remember a comment from when the Tyrrell team used to test, Patrick would drink wine at lunchtime, saying it was customary for the French to do so.

To which his team mate, Jody Scheckter, replied saying in that case, there'd be no problem with him having a lady each lunchtime.....      

[ktrhe]

Not a realy Formula One driver but, Joachim Winkelhock was a smoker and there was a joke in Germany that Joe contractually required his racing car to be equipped with an ashtray.

 

Edited by ktrhe, 17 May 2023 - 14:58.

[E1pix]

SEE???

<<< laughs out loud, nobody here to hear it, did it still make a noise? >>>

[B Squared]

Jimmy Bryan made quite an impression during the pair of Races of Two Worlds for driving with a lit cigar in his mouth, while handling his roadster at 180+mph along the bumpy Monza track.

One of my favorites, his nephew John Wainright went with my family to the "500" in 2001 along with Ronney Marshman (Bobby's sister) What a neat day. Jimmy liked his cigars, as do I, plus I've worn a flat top for nearly 30 years!

My friend, John Isom took these two shots of Jimmy Bryan at Phoenix in 1957 when he won the Bobby Ball Memorial race.

[Collombin]

My friend, John Isom took these two shots of Jimmy Bryan at Phoenix in 1957 when he won the Bobby Ball Memorial race

Wasn't that the race where he crashed through the fence a few laps before the end and rejoined through another hole? I suppose this was his last dirt champcar race until that disastrous return at Langhorne.

[B Squared]

Wasn't that the race where he crashed through the fence a few laps before the end and rejoined through another hole? I suppose this was his last dirt champcar race until that disastrous return at Langhorne.

That's the race.