This weekend marks the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Gijs van Lennep (82) emerged victorious in this classic race twice, in 1971 and 1976. Van Lennep was a successful racer during the sixties and seventies, a period often referred to as the Killer Years due to the numerous fatal accidents. He witnessed many friends and colleagues meet tragic ends. Yet, Van Lennep managed to escape unscathed, time and again.
“Looking back, it was madness what we did. The fact that I can tell the tale and others can’t, comes down to one thing. Pure luck.”
Gijs van Lennep was acutely aware of the risks he took as a racer, he shares.
Have you ever been scared?
“Undoubtedly. Subconsciously. And perhaps that’s why I was never quite good enough. I had a severe crash at Spa in 1967. With Jenny in the stands, we had just gotten engaged. The hood of my Porsche Carrera blew open and I went off the track at 200 kilometers per hour, tumbled down the embankment, flew out of the car, and landed in a ditch. The car came to a halt a few hundred meters further. I should have been dead.”
“Among others, my friend and benefactor Ben Pon, once said that I was never the same after that crash. That I was still a solid, fast driver, but subconsciously played it safe due to the impact of the crash. I still did reasonably well, set my lap records here and there, but it may have cost me my Formula 1 career. Because let’s be honest, that was a failure.”
Why do you consider it a failure?
“I finished sixth twice, eighth once, ninth once, and tenth once. Five top-ten finishes, not many Dutchmen can say that. But in the end, I never got a contract anywhere. So, it was a failure. I set high standards for myself. I probably would have only considered my career successful if I had become world champion three times.”
The Only Time I Swore on Television
Without a doubt, the pinnacle of Van Lennep’s brief F1 career was his sixth-place finish for the ISO-Marlboro team of Frank Williams at the 1973 Dutch GP. However, the race at Zandvoort is also a tragic memory due to the fatal accident of British driver Roger Williamson, who burned alive in his car after a crash while the race continued, lap after lap, with the world watching live on television.
The fatal accident occurred at Tunnel-East, a narrow tricky corner according to Van Lennep. He has told the story dozens of times, if not more. He, like the other drivers, initially thought that Williamson had already exited the car, as he saw someone near the burning vehicle through the smoke. Only later did he learn that it was not Williamson, but his compatriot Purley who had desperately tried to save him. The fire truck took far too long to arrive at the scene of the accident. It was only after the race, during a TV interview with commentator Frans Henrichs, that he was confronted with Williamson’s death. “It’s the only time I’ve sworn on television,” he recalls.
With a sigh, he adds, “It comes up in every interview.”
“I understand, though. It happened. And I can talk about it easily, which helps. Last year, I was in Zandvoort for three days during the Grand Prix and it was discussed then too. That’s fine. Did I go to the site of the accident? No, why would I? I’d rather watch Max.”
You Were Once Named the Best Dutch Driver of the Last Century. Max is the Best Driver of This Century, So Far. Do You See Any Similarities Between You Two?
“He’s as down-to-earth as I am. And he’s been raised well, with good values. At least, we’re not stealing all day. But seriously, as a driver, I see no similarities. Max is a hundred times better than I am. He might even become an eight-time world champion.”
Discussing Jenny, Your Wife: Has She Ever Tried to Persuade You, For Example, After That Heavy Crash at Spa?
“Never. She knew the risks of the profession and understood that there was a chance I might not come home after a race weekend. We didn’t discuss it, I just went. Often under the motto: no news is good news. Because we didn’t have mobile phones.”
You Have to Be Lucky in Life
“You know, you have to be lucky in life. Otherwise, you won’t reach the finish line. I almost crashed with Jenny once. Not in the car, but walking, a week after our wedding, no less. It was in England, near the Brands Hatch circuit, that we looked the wrong way while crossing. That’s another way you could meet your end. But we’ve been married for 56 years now, so everything went well.”
Growing Old Together, That is Beautiful
“Absolutely. We have a good life. Jenny had a stroke a few years ago. That’s unfortunate. Especially for her. I have a fantastic wife who remains reasonably positive even though she can’t do much anymore. She’s my great heroine. I’m her caregiver now. Do I find that difficult? Not at all. For better and for worse, they don’t say that for nothing. And I can cook quite well. She’s lucky with that.”
Enjoying Life and Doing What I Want
You Are Now 82, A Beautiful Age
“But it’s not the end of the line! I’ve had a fantastic life and owe a lot to others, but most of all to myself. Ultimately, you have to do it all yourself. But I plan to stay here for a long time. I’m still fully engaged in life. And I’m good with doctors. I get regular check-ups. But if it suddenly ends one day, I’m at peace with that.”
Do You Ever Reflect on Death These Days?
“Sometimes. And I find it quite frightening. Especially because I then think: I still have so much to arrange. Ideally, I don’t want too much hassle. Just enjoy life and do what I want. I’ve done that my whole life. You could say that I’ve tried to get the most out of the car, but also out of life. I think I’ve succeeded quite well.”
He looks at his schedule. Great! Next week, a new golf appointment at De Hilversumsche.
