Jacky Ickx

The versatile Belgian who won eight Grands Prix across 14 seasons before retiring in 1979.

Jacques Bernard Edmon Martin Henri 'Jacky' Ickx is a Belgian former racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1966 to 1979. He joined Scuderia Ferrari in 1968, securing his maiden victory at the French Grand Prix in heavy rain and finishing fourth in the standings that year. The following season, he moved to Brabham before returning to Ferrari for 1970, where he finished runner-up to Jochen Rindt after taking wins in Austria, Canada, and Mexico. His time with the team continued into 1972, marked by victories at the Dutch and German Grands Prix, until he departed halfway through the 1973 season due to dissatisfaction with the Ferrari 312B3's performance.

Quick Facts

Birth name: Jacques Bernard Edmon Martin Henri Ickx
Born: 1 January 1945
Birthplace: Brussels, Belgium
Children: 5, including Vanina
Relatives: Pascal Ickx (brother)

Lore & Background

Ickx's relationship with Ferrari began in 1968 after attracting Ken Tyrrell's attention during his early F2 and touring car successes. His debut season for the Prancing Horse was highlighted by a third-place finish at his home race, Spa-Francorchamps, and his first Formula One victory at Rouen. Despite crashing and breaking his left leg in practice for the Canadian Grand Prix that year, he returned to score 27 points and finish fourth overall. In 1970, Ickx faced a harrowing start when his car caught fire on the opening lap of the Spanish Grand Prix; hospitalized with severe burns after 20 seconds, he recovered in just 17 days to race at Monaco.

Later that season, while Jochen Rindt fought for the title, Ickx secured wins in Austria and Mexico but finished runner-up after Rindt's fatal accident at Monza left him unable to claim the championship against a driver who could not defend his points.

Reader's Guide

Ickx remained with Ferrari through 1971 and part of 1973, achieving further wins at the Dutch Grand Prix in 1971 and the German Grand Prix in 1972. His career with the team ended halfway through the 1973 season when he left over concerns regarding the performance of the Ferrari 312B3. Throughout his tenure, Ickx was renowned for his exceptional skill in wet conditions, a trait that defined his maiden win at Rouen and his 1971 victory at Zandvoort where he utilized Firestone wet tires against rivals on Goodyear rubber. His departure marked the end of a significant chapter where he secured three World Drivers' Championship runner-up finishes across his career (1969, 1970) and established himself as one of the sport's most versatile drivers before moving to other teams like Lotus and Ligier.