A wonderful tribute to the late François Cevert took place in Montlhéry recently to mark the 40th anniversary of the F1 driver's death.
It was attended by a host of stars, including Sir Jackie Stewart, Jean-Pierre Beltoise and Henri Pescarolo, and a huge range of the cars that made Cevert famous.
Cevert, Beltoise's brother in law, lost his life aged just 29 at Watkins Glen in 1973 after shining brightly but briefly in F1.
Picked up by Ken Tyrrell on Stewart's recommendation , Cevert was thrown into F1 when Johnny Servoz-Gavin retired unexpectedly and, although in Stewart's shadow to begin with, was improving all the time and won in the USA in 1971, coming third in that year's drivers' championship.
With Stewart's impending retirement, Cevert was due to be Tyrrell lead driver in 1974, but died in practice at Watkins Glen while battling for pole.
The tribute on 5 October was a free display at the gymnasium in Montlhéry. It was understated, but wonderfully respectful.
