Quote Originally Posted by D28 View Post
The classic case for going out with style surely belongs to Sir Jack Brabham. In his 126th GP, Mexico 1970. he qualified 4th and was in for a podium behind the Ferraris when his Cosworth blew. All this when he was 44 years old and still ultra competitive. Except for atrocious luck in 1970 he could have had 2 or even 3 wins instead of the 1 at S Africa. He picked the perfect time to hang it up, while still at the top of his game.
Not atrocious luck really. At Monaco he couldn't handle the pressure of being chased down by Rindt - a sign he'd become diminished. He knew how good Rindt was having been his boss the previous year. Then at Brands he mis-calculated the fuel load in a bid to be ultra light, running out on the last lap for Jochen to pass him again - same engine with a very predictable consumption!
Take nothing away though he was the guy who handled the intro of 3l F1 far and away better than anyone else - on a shoestring.