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KOINIGG, HELMUT

 

11/3/1948, Vienna

Deceased 10/6/1974, Watkins Glen, USA

Starts:2

Points: 0

Wins:0

Poles:0

Fastest Laps:0


A few Austrian drivers have been successful in Formula 1, such as Lauda, Rindt and Berger, but for some reason, drivers from that nationality have a high share of misfortune as well. Rindt died before being crowned champion, Lauda was almost burnt alive at the Nurburgring, Ratzenberger died in Imola, Helmut Marko’s eye was damaged beyond repair in Clermont Ferrand. Helmut Koinigg was mostly known for his success in Formula Super Vee, but eventually made it to the Ford Touring car works team and the Porsche works team, driving the Turbo Carrera. He proved fast, and was entered in the Finotto Brabham for the Austrian GP of 1974, failing to qualify. However, he was hired by Surtees to race in the final two Grands Prix of the season, and did really well to qualify the unloved TS16 in 22nd place in Canada, finishing a worthy 10th. For Watkins Glen, Helmut qualified 23rd, and without any explanation, his car left the road and crashed very hard, killing the unlucky Austrian immediately, the second death at the USA track two years running.
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