F1 champion loses his driving licence...

F1 champion loses his driving licence…read more

Jody Scheckter, the only African to ever win the Formula 1 World Championship, has recently lost his driver’s licence—not due to any driving offence, but because of specific legal requirements in the country where he now resides. The former South African racing legend, who captured the prestigious title in 1979 while driving for Ferrari, has acknowledged that due to the local laws, he no longer holds a valid licence. More surprisingly, the 74-year-old has openly admitted that he does not believe he would be able to pass the modern driving test were he required to take it again.

Scheckter earned global fame during the peak of his racing career when he triumphed over his Ferrari teammate, Gilles Villeneuve, in the 1979 Formula 1 season. His remarkable achievement marked a significant milestone not only for himself but for the African continent, as he remains the only African driver to have won a Formula 1 world title to date. The championship was closely contested, but Scheckter managed to outpace Villeneuve in the final stages of the season to secure the crown. Villeneuve, a Canadian driver celebrated for his daring and skill, tragically lost his life in 1982, but his legacy lived on through his son, Jacques Villeneuve, who would later become a Formula 1 champion in 1997.

Scheckter’s more recent life, far removed from the racetracks, has seen him living in a different country—believed to be the United Kingdom—where certain regulations concerning driving licences differ significantly from those in his homeland. Under these local rules, older drivers or those relocating permanently may be required to surrender their foreign-issued licences after a set period and, in some cases, retake the driving test in order to be re-licensed. Unfortunately for Scheckter, he fell under such requirements and subsequently lost the right to drive.

Speaking candidly, Scheckter confessed that retaking the test at his age would likely be a losing battle. Though he once commanded high-speed machines at the very pinnacle of motorsport, modern-day licensing standards and assessments—designed for everyday road users—have become more stringent and challenging, especially for those unfamiliar with the latest rules, signage, or procedures.

Fans of the sport may find it ironic that someone who once conquered the most difficult racing circuits in the world now finds himself without a licence to drive on ordinary roads. Yet, Scheckter seems to take the situation in good humour, acknowledging the odd contrast between his illustrious racing past and his current predicament.

Despite no longer being behind the wheel, Scheckter remains a respected figure in the world of motorsport. His career, though relatively brief by today’s standards, left an indelible mark on Formula 1 history. The news of his licence loss is a reminder of the changes time and geography can bring, even to the greatest of drivers.