29 January in Ferrari history: Jody Scheckter’s birthday

Jody Scheckter was born on 29 January 1950 in East London, South Africa. His birthday offers an opportunity to revisit the driver who brought Ferrari the 1979 Formula 1 drivers’ championship alongside teammate Gilles Villeneuve.

A measured approach brings Ferrari a world title

Scheckter’s championship season combined three race victories with consistent points finishes. While his early career had earned him a reputation for aggressive driving, his Ferrari title campaign demonstrated a more measured approach.

He and Villeneuve each won three races in 1979, but Scheckter’s accumulation of points secured the championship. Their partnership brought together two contrasting approaches within the same team.

Scheckter’s place in Ferrari history

The significance of the 1979 title grew over time. Ferrari would not produce another drivers’ world champion until Michael Schumacher in 2000, leaving Scheckter as the team’s most recent champion for 21 years.

He remained with Ferrari in 1980 before retiring from Formula 1 at the age of 30. His relatively short time at Maranello nevertheless included the achievement that defined his racing career.

Explore the other half of that partnership through our Gilles Villeneuve Formula 1 records, or discover more anniversaries in the Ferrari On This Day calendar.