An amputated career
Author
- Mattijs Diepraam
Date
- 8W September 1998 issue, offers are kindly accepted to extend the length of this article!
Related articles
- McLaren M2B - The first steps to a great heritage, by Mattijs Diepraam
- Alain Prost - Subtlety redefined, by Mattijs Diepraam/Rainer Nyberg
Who?Steven South What?McLaren-Cosworth M29 Where?Long Beach When?1980 US West GP (qualifying) |
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Why?
In 1979, people had great things in mind when Steven South's F1 future was the topic of conversation. Alain Prost's main opponent in the European F3 Championship was poised for glory in the world's major category, and indeed he subbed for his former rival after the little Frenchman hurt his wrist in practice for the previous race at Kyalami. The M29 was a terrible car, however, borne out by the fact that even the ultra-talented Prost had to fight hard for midfield grid positions at best. South, by then driving in F2 for Ralt, even failed to qualify the car at Long Beach. As it happened, his F1 debut was just as badly timed as those of Marco Apicella or Norberto Fontana in recent years.
The unlucky South then disappeared from the top motorsport scene altogether after crashing badly in a CanAm race later in the year. The accident hurt his leg so bad that it had to be amputated.