Jody Scheckter: driven by the fear of losing

Jody Scheckter’s exploits on the Formula One (F1) circuit live on in the minds of many South Africans. Although he has gone on to become a cheese aficionado, Scheckter walked away with this year’s Arts, Science, Sports and Culture Award at the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards for his 10 F1 victories in a 10-year-long career that culminated in him winning the F1 Drivers’ Championship in 1979.

The racing champion was among those honoured at the annual ceremony for his remarkable achievements, with a video outlining his accomplishments played live on Sunday evening.

“If you look at how many people try to become F1 drivers, let alone successful world champions, what Jody accomplished was extremely difficult,” said Zak Brown, the chief executive of McLaren Racing.

“Jody won with three different teams. A lot of Grand Prix drivers have success with one team at the right place at the right time. But Jody won with three. Not many Grand Prix drivers have won with multiple teams, and that tells you that his outstanding talent wasn’t car specific.”

Scheckter was born in 1950 into a car-mad family. Not being especially keen on academics, he had a single goal in mind: to become the F1 world champion. At 22, he participated in his first Grand Prix for McLaren in the United States. In 1979, he joined the Ferrari team, dominating the scene in the Monaco Grand Prix, and after scoring wins in Belgium, he secured the title of world champion in Milan, Italy.

Scheckter reflected, “It feels like such a long time ago. I was brought up in East London, was useless at school, and loved going to the workshop. My dad had a garage where he worked on cars, and he gave me a car, a second-hand Renault, to go to work and back.”

“After my first race, I did three years in South Africa [probably my most enjoyable time in all my racing], and then I went to England where I raced Formula Four and Three. McLaren offered me Formula Two, so I did that, and they gave me a F1 drive at the end of my second year.”

Scheckter subsequently came third in the world championships twice, left the team, and joined another where he came second in the world championship. A year later, he joined Ferrari, and won the championship.

“I was always motivated by the fear of losing rather than the glory of winning,” he said.

Those who know him describe his determination and grit, commending him on his receipt of the award.

“He was very aggressive in a car,” said Sir Jackie Stewart, three-time F1 champion. “I’ve known him as a friend and a competitor. As a competitor, he was a pain in the arse.

“I’m proud that he’s being recognised in this fashion. He’s a very proud South African, and he carries the flag well.”

“He’s still rough around the edges,” said Ross Brawn, the managing director at F1. “His South African heritage is still very strong within him. That commitment and dedication that he has is what has made him successful in all of his enterprises.”

Although a cheese enthusiast and manufacturer these days, Scheckter said that the next career he’s planning involves the beach.

“I still feel very much a South African, and I want to thank you all very much for honouring me,” he said.

Any F1 driver will tell you that their best win would be first place in Monza, Italy, in a Ferrari in a world championship. Only one person has ever achieved that: Jody Scheckter.