Jacky Ickx, a Le Mans legend and Ferrari Formula 1 hero, holds a special place in the heart of British sportscar icon Brian Redman, who considers Ickx his favorite teammate.
Their partnership began at the Kyalami 9 Hours in 1967, where they claimed victory with a substantial 13-lap lead in a JW Automotive Mirage-Ford M1.
This success led Redman to team up with Ickx in a JWA Ford GT40 for much of 1968, a year in which Redman secured the first of his four manufacturers’ titles in what is now known as the World Endurance Championship.
Despite Redman’s later acclaimed partnership with Jo Siffert at Porsche, he regards the six-time Le Mans winner Ickx as his most influential teammate.
Redman fondly recalls their 1968 BOAC 500 victory at Brands Hatch, defeating the Porsche 907 of Gerhard Mitter/Ludovico Scarfiotti by 22 seconds. However, their triumph at the Spa 1000 km later that year stands out as one of Redman’s cherished moments in his extensive racing career.
Redman vividly remembers Ickx’s outstanding performance in the rain at Spa: “The best first lap that I ever saw was in Spa in the rain… And it all went quiet.” Ickx, having won the saloon race earlier that day in a Mustang, showcased his exceptional skills, leaving the competition far behind.
Their successful collaboration extended to Ferrari, with victories at the 1972 Austrian 1000km at the Osterreichring, as well as the 1000km races at Monza and the Nurburgring in the following year.
Despite retirements at Le Mans in 1973 and 1979, their enduring friendship remains intact, as they occasionally reunite at historic racing events.
