The romantic era of F1 through a lens

This blog is mostly based on photo journalist Richard Kelley, who covered the 'romantic' era of Formula 1. He beganhis documentary photographs of Formula One in 1972, a year after he picked up that first camera (1971). He transitioned his photography to include writing and editing in 1998, as associate editor of Stock Car Racing, and then founding team member and editor with William Jeanes at AutoWorld Weekly in 1999.

The way it used to be, 1972. 
One lone mechanic with Denny Hulme’s race-ready Yardley Team McLaren-Ford M19C. One journalist. One photographer.

England's 1976 World Champion James Hunt, a cigarette dangling from his mouth and Penthouse Pet by his side, sprays the champagne after winning the 1977 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.

British 1976 World Champion James Hunt, beer in hand, salutes the crowd after winning the 1977 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. There might not be a better example of what has changed from the "romantic" era of the 70's to what we experience today.

Niki Lauda and James Hunt had been involved in one of the most dramatic stories in the history of Formula One as they battled for the 1976 World Driver's Championship down to the final race in Japan. 
Lauda had lead the championship until his horrific accident that summer at the Nurburgring, were he received near fatal burns and inhaled toxic fumes...he had even received last rights of the Catholic Church. 

Hunt, in the meantime had won Germany and had closed up on Lauda's points lead. 
Miraculously, Lauda fought back and six weeks later, he returned to his Ferrari 312T at the Italian Grand Prix where he finished an incredible fourth. They arrived in Japan with Lauda ahead by three points. 
Hunt would win the title by a single point only after Lauda retired from the rain-soaked race because he felt conditions were too dangerous. The fire had destroyed Lauda's tear ducts and he couldn't see in the spray

Gilles Villeneuve, alone, he prepares to win the 1979 US Grand Prix. 
You never saw a cadre of engineers surrounding, pleading with Gilles to go faster.

Two-time Brazilian World Champion Formula One driver Nelson Piquet puts his Parmalat Brabham BMW in the lead of the 1984 Detroit Grand Prix. Piquet had won the Canadian Grand Prix the prior weekend and would win from the pole while fellow drivers Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell would retire.

During qualifying in unseasonably cold conditions and shortened sessions for the 1982 Detroit Grand Prix, two-time World Champion Niki Lauda and John Watson could not create enough heat in their Michelin tires to get the right balance for their Marlboro-McLaren's to find speed, and qualified 10th and 17th respectively.

Formula 1 Rookie Riccardo Paletti in trouble when his Osella’s right drive shaft broke over a bump during the 1982 Detroit Grand Prix. The car was destroyed, but he would walk away unscathed. Tragically, he would be killed a week later in Canada at the start. Launching his car from the last row in blinding rain, he would hit the rear of the nearly invisible Ferrari of Didier Pironi stalled on the grid and succumb to his injuries. He was never able to complete a single full grid Grand Prix race lap.

Niki Lauda came out of retirement for the 1982 Formula One season, racing for Marlboro McLaren, and believing he still had the ability to win. Here, he presents the classic Lauda pre-race stare. He was proven correct as he went on to win Long Beach that year, and his third World Formula One Driver’s Championship in 1984.

Brazilian Formula One driver Ayrton Senna abandons his Toleman-Hart during practice for the 1984 Detroit Grand Prix. Senna's car lost its brakes on the long front straight during practice and Senna collided with the tire barrier in Tune One. He was unhurt, but during the race, the Toleman sheared off its right rear wheel in the same place, and Senna met the tire wall a second time.