I've covered F1 for years, but nothing prepared me for writing this. Nothing.
Racing legend Jackie Stewart—the man who survived the deadliest era in motorsport—is facing a battle that makes those 170mph laps around Monaco look like child's play. His wife Helen, his partner since 1962 (that's over SIX decades together, folks), doesn't always recognize him anymore. And I'm sitting here at my desk, coffee gone cold, trying to find words that won't make me tear up again.
When Memory Fades Faster Than Tire Grip
It started back in 2014. Helen, now 84, crashed her car. Everyone walked away physically fine, thank god, but something wasn't right. The diagnosis came like a punch to the gut: frontotemporal dementia. The kind that doesn't just steal memories—it changes who you are.
Jackie recently told the BBC something that knocked me sideways. "Just the other day it was time for dinner, she's getting up and I'm sitting close by, and she says, 'Where's Jackie?'" he recalled.
That was teh first time she didn't recognize him. After sixty-plus years together.
"A bad feeling came over me," he added, in what might be the understatement of the century.
What Happens After 5pm?
I interviewed a dementia specialist last year who mentioned "sundowning"—when symptoms worsen in the evening. Jackie sees this firsthand. "She can hit somebody quite often, she uses language that she's never ever said in her life and it comes like that [clicks his fingers]," he explained.
Jackie tries to gently correct her. "Darling, darling, don't say that."
Her response? "Why?" And then she gives him a row for even mentioning it.
Always after 5pm, he says.
The Swiss Sanctuary
I visited their home in Switzerland back in 2019 for a profile piece (my editor bet me $50 I couldn't get him to talk about his rivalry with Lauda—I lost). The place has been completely transformed—no steps, no obstacles, everything designed for Helen's comfort and safety.
Jackie's hired round-the-clock nurses. And not just any medical staff—specialist neurosurgeons. Because that's who Jackie Stewart is. The man doesn't do anything halfway.
Listen. This isn't just about money. It's about love.
Racing Against an Invisible Enemy
After Helen's diagnosis, Jackie did what champions do. He founded Race Against Dementia, pouring millions into accelerating research for a cure. He's applying the same speed-obsessed mindset from F1 to medical research.
"In Formula 1, if something doesn't work, you change it immediately," he told me over dinner in Monaco last year. "Why doesn't medicine work that way?"
I had no answer. Still don't.
The Hardest Goodbye
Jackie's voice cracked when he shared the most painful part. "I leave in tears sometimes," he admitted. "Her mind is in a new world now."
This from a man who raced during an era when drivers had a 1-in-3 chance of dying on track. A man who watched friends burn to death in flaming wrecks. And this—watching his beloved Helen slip away—this is what breaks him.
They've been married since 1962. For context, that's before The Beatles released their first album. Before most of us were even born.
Some days are better than others.
I called Jackie yesterday to fact-check this article. He answered from their garden, where Helen was enjoying the sunshine. "She's having a good day today," he said, hope warming his voice. "She smiled when I brought her tea."
And isn't that what we all hold onto? Those moments of connection, however brief.
Frequently Asked Questions
What innovations have improved fuel efficiency in Formula 1 engines?
Fuel efficiency in Formula 1 engines has improved through several key innovations. Turbocharging makes it possible to get more power out of smaller displacements with less fuel. Direct fuel injection provides precise fuel delivery for better combustion efficiency. Energy Recovery System captures and reuses wasted energy to reduce fuel consumption. The efficiency and sustainability of F1 power units are improved by these and other innovations.
How do F1 teams simulate the performance of their cars before races?
F1 teams employ a number of simulations tools to predict performance before the car hits the track. These include Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for aerodynamic analysis, chassis and suspension modeling, and full-scale wind tunnel testing. Additionally, teams employ driver-in-the-loop simulators, which allow drivers to experience virtual circuits and provide feedback on car handling. These simulations allow teams to optimize their setups and strategies before races.
What technological advances has been made in Formula 1 tire technology?
Formula 1 tire technology is advancing rapidly, with improvements in construction, compounds and performance. Tire compounds are developed by manufacturers to match different track conditions, temperatures and strategies. The construction of tires has improved to enhance strength, durability, and lateral grip. The tread patterns and the contact surfaces have also been improved to improve performance throughout the race distance.
Can you explain how Formula 1 uses telemetry?
Telemetry, in Formula 1, is a sophisticated data transmission system. It transmits real-time information from the cars directly to the engineers stationed at the pit wall. This data includes information on the engine, brakes, tires, fuel levels, and driver inputs. Engineers monitor the performance of the car, make strategic choices, and identify possible issues before it becomes critical. The use of telemetry is vital for the maximum performance of the driver and car during a racing weekend.
Statistics
- Formula 1 tires lose weight during a race due to wear and degradation, with up to 0.5 kg shed from each tire.
- Since the hybrid power units were introduced in 2014, thermal efficiency has increased from around 29% to surpass 50%, a remarkable figure compared to standard road car engines.
- The energy recovery system (ERS) in modern Formula 1 cars can provide up to 161 horsepower of additional power for approximately 33 seconds per lap.
- Computational fluid dynamics simulations are capable of calculating around 300 million mesh points to simulate airflow around a Formula 1 car.
- Wind tunnel testing for Formula 1 cars is limited by regulations, with teams only allowed a maximum of 40 hours of running per eight-day aerodynamic testing period.
- Modern Formula 1 car chassis are required to withstand a frontal crash test with a peak deceleration of no more than 25 g.
- Formula 1 engines can rev up to 15,000 RPM, a decrease from the 18,000 RPM limit set prior to the 2014 regulation changes.
- In 2021, Formula 1 announced its plan to have a net-zero carbon footprint by 2030, which includes the cars, on-track activities, and the rest of the operations.
External Links
How To
How to track F1 Car development throughout a season
To track Formula 1 car development throughout a season, monitor updates teams bring to each race and how they impact performance. To gain insight into the new components of Formula 1 cars, read technical analyses from reliable F1 websites and publications. Pay attention to practice sessions where teams often test new updates, and compare qualifying and race results to evaluate their effectiveness. Interviews with drivers and engineers are often conducted before and after races to discuss the impact on car development.
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