Racing lines: Welcoming Dario Franchitti back to motor racing

Sir Jackie Stewart retired from motor racing in 1973 aged 34, after eight years in Formula 1: 99 starts, 27 wins, three world titles – and most vitally he was still alive.

Stewart was his generation’s benchmark, he had nothing else to prove and never raced again. Sure, he could have returned, but in a deadly era he’d made a promise to his family, and with that famously heightened awareness of his own worth out of the cockpit, he didn’t need to. 

Most racing drivers find it tougher to walk away, especially those who perhaps didn’t achieve all they aimed for. But what’s harder is being forced to quit early, not on your own terms – usually because of injury.

 In 2013 Dario Franchitti, three-time Indy 500 winner and four-time Indycar champion, flew into a fence with frightening force at a street race in Houston. The back and ankle injuries were bad enough, but it was the hit on the head that was most serious. Doctors said another impact would be life-changing, that the risk was now too great. A glittering career was over. 

For a man who truly loved being a racing driver, Franchitti came to terms with his ‘ex’ status better than perhaps predicted. But he openly admitted he missed being able to ‘play’. For insurance reasons as much as his health, even historic racing outings were out of the question. He became a commentator for Formula E, enjoyed his growing car collection and settled into family life.