Regazzoni killed in accident

Former Formula One driver Gianclaudio ‘Clay’ Regazzoni was killed in a motoring accident in Italy today.

Regazzoni died after his car collided with a lorry on a road west of Parma. He was 67.

The Swiss-born driver raced in 132 grands prix during an 11-year career that was cut short when he was paralysed in an accident in the United States West Grand Prix in 1980.

Regazzoni’s Ensign suffered a brake failure at the end of the main straight at Long Beach, the car hitting a concrete wall, resulting in spinal injuries.

Regazzoni won five races overall, including four for Ferrari, with whom he finished second in the drivers’ championship in 1974 behind Emerson Fittipaldi.

Regazzoni also gave Williams their first grand prix victory at Silverstone in 1979.