- Carlos Reutemann, a 12-time grand prix winner from Argentina who raced in Formula 1 from 1972-1982, died Wednesday at the age of 79. Reutemann had been battling liver cancer since 2017, but was hospitalized due to an intentestial hemorrhage.
Reutemann drove for Brabham (owned by Bernie Eccelstone at the time from 1972-1976. He drove for Ferrari in one 1976 race, then the full seasons in 1977 and 1978. He moved to Lotus to replace the deceased Ronnie Peterson in 1979, then drove for Williams for the remainder of his career. In 1981, he scored two victories and lost out on the World Championship by one point to Nelson
Piquet.
He ultimately retired from Formula 1 a couple of races into 1982. The reasoning is disputed. However, this was a time of heightened tensions between Argentina and the United Kingdom that ultimately resulted in the two countries going to war over the Falkland Islands.
Since then, Reutemann has had a second career in politics. He was the governor of the Santa Fe region in Argentina for two terms (1991-1995 and 1999-2003). After declining a run for president multiple times, Reutemann won a seat in the National Senate in Buenos Aires that he held until his death. We at Frontstretch send our condolences to the Reutemann
family.
- Rick Ware Racing announced Thursday morning that they are expanding into the Pinty's Series in Canada. They will field an entry for defending series champion Andrew Ranger
starting with the season opener at Sunset Speedway on Aug. 1.
