Jody Scheckter podcast, in association with Mercedes-Benz

It was only when we rang Jody Scheckter's doorbell that we remembered that the 1979 Formula 1 World Champion was our first ever podcast guest back in 2009. Over 100 podcasts ago we decided that our recordings would be a lot more interesting if we invited a guest along and Jody was an obvious choice.
Eight years later and we've finally pinned him down again. We had so many questions from the readers that I binned the script and simply asked as many as possible. Cue stories on his formative years, his arrival in F1, his time at Ferrari, the world championship and his current work at Laverstoke.
Enjoy and, as always, let us know what you think.

[@VWPirates]

Jody was known in his early years as sideways Scheckter when he raced a Renault R8 Gordini with a supercharger. I had a R8 Gordini addiction for many years and owner of 5 from a total of 212 ever made in South African..During the early 80's, I was able to trace his original R8 Gordini with supercharger and a lot of spares which I and the then Rand Renault club then bought for R10k. *** I wrote the above before watching the video!*** Yeah so Jody still has an R8 Gordini addiction! They are building him a replica because because his old one is no more. After we bought it as a club, bits and pieces when into other cars. I had a few sets of the AMW mags for a long time but there is no original car left. I wonder if he can confirm if his Gordini raced with a supercharger? Although we found two bodies, a few gearboxes, two engines and lots of AMW mags, (pricesless if you know R8's) and a supercharger, we always debated if he raced with the supercharger. I know my Gordini's went to good custodians in Johannesburg and won't it be amazing if one of mine ends up with him!

[@khumorampete9310]

Super 👍

[@zetecrv10]

Great interview. Wolf was not the only other team to test at fiorano. Minardi tested at Fiorano lots of times. I was there.

[@lipcovitch1]

Jody`s mess at Silverstone, 1973 F1 British GP, was something unforgettable.

[@jaegerbh]

They never asked Jody about his book and whether he would be inclined to add his tenure with Ferrari to the book.

[@tommytoofar]

Is there any chance that the old podcasts could be uploaded to YT. The pre YT ones, obviously.

[@knowlesy3915]

Brilliant interview

[@hoonigan4356]

Any news on Max Mosley doing a podcast yet Ed?

[@Motorsportmagazine]

I have sent an email so we'll see! Ed

[@hoonigan4356]

Motor Sport Thanks alot Ed. Yet another fantastic podcast by the way. A credit to you and all who work with you at Motorsport. Top job, keep them coming 👍

[@HSRrep]

Why does Scheckter always belittle Gilles Villeneuve. He seems to forget that Gilles sat behind him at Monza knowing he was gifting Scheckter the World Championship. I've never heard Scheckter interviewed when he doesn't slag Villeneuve off. Villeneuve was the faster driver and a genius, end of, but Jody never does anything but criticize him!.

[@david-joeklotz9558]

Oh you have it completely wrong. Gilles and Jody were teammates but absolutely open with each other. They became close friends and it was Jody, who organized everything for a devastated family after Zolder in 1982. Jody has always commented how quick Gilles was but that their approach was different. Gilles just wanted to win races and the championship was secondary. There was only one time that Villeneuve headed Scheckter in a race, which Jody had led on slick tires in the wet and then the dry, but had to make a tire stop, and that was Kyalami in 1979, and was NEVER asked to let Jody by. The standard arrangement was with 10 laps to go, there would be no further racing. There was no gifting by Gilles to Jody. At Monza 1979, Jody qualified 2nd and Gilles 5th. Jody beat him fair and square in that race and in the championship

[@llanelli311]

he’s never said a bad word about Gilles to me. The closest hes ever got was saying that his only problem was having to be fastest on every lap and in every session.

[@khumorampete9310]

I mean he actually knew the man I’m a big Gilles fan but at the end of the day we don’t know him on a personal level 🤷‍♀️

[@jebidiahkorn]

these good old boys always take the piss out of one another

[@ORMA1]

I'm quite sure Jody is a good guy: his friendship with Gilles was real. But....remember that in 1979 in Italy "every Ferrari fan" was "Gilles-fan"....