The 1981 Formula 1 title could have a new definition after almost 40 years. It all started with several revelations made by Bernie Ecclestone, former owner of the competition, confessed that he harmed Carlos Reutemann, who died in 2021, so that he is not a champion. Through hearthis daughter, Lole, is close to winning the championship.
The controversy began after Ecclestone publicly admitted that he harmed the Argentine in the last race so that the Brazilian Nelson Pique I became champion in Las Vegas. After various claims by the family, the title of 81 could be transferred post-mortem to the man born in Santa Fe.
is Lucky!a Netflix documentary series, where Ecclestone is shown in the first person and telling details during his years at the helm of the category. In one of the chapters, he talks about how he helped Piquet and spoiled the trophy that year that had Reutemann as the great favorite after achieving pole position in the United States.
“After the first day of practice it was obvious that the drivers were going to have problems with all the neck pain that track caused. Carlos (Reutemann) spoke to the masseuse who was found in boxes. I went to see that person and, after a financial discussion, I decided to favor Nelson Piquet.” confessed Ecclestone, at that time owner of the team Brahbam.
“It was not the same as chassis 12. Against the original idea, I had no choice but to take charge of chassis 17, which I did not like at all”Lole once told.
“Going to the start I noticed that the gearbox was quite hard for my taste, I didn’t have a good start, I finished third and then Alain Prost overtook me, the car’s performance decreased and the problems increased because I didn’t get the gears right, I didn’t allowed to walk at the speed that was necessary to keep up with Laffite, Piquet and Andretti“, recalled Reutemann years after the race.
“Ecclestone admitted that he bribed to harm Reutemann in 1981Is it clear that he is the true World Champion? Not to mention that they took all nine points from him in the South African race, he’s not just dad. He also stole the championship from an Argentine, he left with that sorrow in his heart. I know,” Cora tweeted.
Reutemann’s search for sports justice
“Too much for my liking… but I’ll claim it: I’m going to claim to be crowned world champion in 1981. I told Bernie Ecclestone before dad left. I’m glad. The day before dad died I sent him a letter audio to Bernie asking him to be honest with him and tell him that he is the true champion of 1981. they turned out the other day dad died. Two months later I sent him an audio again and Ecclestone replied to ask him for anything he needed. I asked him to tell the truth. Now he’s responding to me publicly, which is much better,” published Cora, Lole’s eldest daughter.
“Obviously my dad is the 1981 Formula 1 champion, the next stage is that this is in writing. When my father died, I told my son that he was going to do everything to make it known that his grandfather was a Formula 1 champion, ”Cora said in a Santa Fe radio interview.
