My very first experiences in a racing car were in a Lotus Seven. In fact, prior to purchasing the Lotus I went to Lotus and asked for a job. I thought I must know how they build these cars if I’m going to race them. I was conscious too that I had to learn how to set up the car, vital if I was going to look after it mechanically myself. The other problem, being French, I had to learn…

Vidal, in the Alpine-Renault, being chased by a Porsche 904 at Reims in 1965, where he failed to finish due to engine troubles.
Photo: Roy Smith