DRIVING AN OLD F1 CAR

By its nature, driving on the limit is fraught with risk. Racing something that’s as historically and financially valuable as a championshipwinning F1 car, one that’s had so many hours lavished upon it, would seemingly only heighten the challenge. But when Rod Jolley is out on track, no such considerations enter his mind.

“When you drive the car you don’t consciously brake, turn, change gear; it just happens,” he says. “You’re sat in it and just do it. It becomes an extension of you. It’s like a comfortable old glove.”

Although his inputs are a string of subconscious actions, Jolley’s sliding style is a deliberate choice. Drifting through every apex is not only spectacular to watch, but also serves a seemingly counter-intuitive purpose of keeping things under control.

“I like to flick it so the back just comes out,” he adds. “That’s my style and what I enjoy. It’s not the quickest way, but I drive to have fun. A clean driver would never do that, but that worries me. I like to have the car already sliding as then I know it won’t go any further rather than suddenly breaking away.”

After 27 years of racing, 71-year-old Jolley’s driving has changed with age. But it’s not come at the expense of lap time. Instead he’s doing more in the cockpit than ever, anticipating all the time: “One of the things I’ve noticed in myself as I’m getting older is that my perception of what can go wrong is much enhanced over what it was. I can still drive as fast as I ever did, but if there’s someone who really wants to take chances, then I’ll let them get on with it.”