Formula One legend Jackie Stewart taped a wrench to a steering wheel and changed the sport forever

Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart once changed the sport forever.

And he did it when he taped a wrench to a steering wheel.

Stewart, lovingly known as ‘The Flying Scot,’ was involved in an almost-fatal crash back in 1966.

And it was his response that changed the world of Formula One forever.

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Jackie Stewart nearly loses life in 1966

Sir Jackie Stewart is one of the most impactful and important figures in the history of Formula One.

Given the nickname ‘The Flying Scot’, Stewart was an incredible driver, winning three Drivers’ Championships.

But his legacy is equally as impactful off the track as on it.

And that’s because the Scotsman was one of the first drivers to seriously push to make Formula One safer.

Most Formula One fans are far too young to remember just how dangerous the motorsport was.

But there was a time when getting in a Formula One car was to gamble with your life.

During the 1960s, 29 drivers lost their lives competing at the pinnacle of four-wheeled motorsport.

Eighteen more would follow in the next decade, the 1970s.

The 1996 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps was the watershed moment for Stewart.

During the race, his BRM car careened off the track during a vicious rainstorm.

But the trouble was only just beginning for ‘The Flying Scot.’

Stewart found himself trapped in a cockpit that was quickly filling up with fuel.

Lodged against his steering wheel, teammate Graham Hill and fellow driver Bob Bondurant rushed over.

They tried everything to free Stewart, but it was useless.

The group finally found a wrench from a fan, and managed to take off the steering wheel.

From that day onwards, Stewart always taped a wrench to his steering wheel when he raced.

‘The Flying Scot’ makes Formula One safer

Thankfully, Sir Jackie made it out alive – but the incident changed him forever.

The crash had left him with a broken collarbone, but something else had also happened.

It was the final straw for Stewart, who had had enough of the dangers of competing in Formula One.

Following his return to the grid, he ensured that an ambulance was present at every single track.

His BRM team owner, Louis Stanley, helped him in his safety crusade.

Stanley introduced a state-of-the-art medical truck called the Grand Prix Medical Service (GPMS).

The GPMS faced stiff opposition from the organizers and circuit promoters, who somehow felt that the extra safety was unnecessary.

Over the remaining years of Stewarts career, he would advocate for further safety.

Regular clashes with the championship organizers would follow, but the sport was made safer.

Seatbelts, for example, only became mandatory in 1972 because of Stewart.

Following his retirement in 1973, Stewart’s advocacy for the drivers continued.

He continued to serve as the head of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association.

It is largely thanks to Sir Jackie Stewart that Formula One is as relatively safe as it is now.

And that’s a legacy to be proud of.