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Legendary motorsport journalist Helmut Zwickl dies at the age of 85
The legendary motorsport journalist Helmut Zwickl has died at the age of 85. His legacy shapes motorsport reporting in Austria.
Legendary motorsport journalist Helmut Zwickl dies at the age of 85
The Austrian motorsport journalist Helmut Zwickl has died at the age of 85. His death occurred surrounded by his family, as the Ennstal-Classic Facebook page confirmed. Zwickl, who once worked as a druggist and chemist in a paint factory, developed a passion for motorsports at an early age, which ultimately led him to begin his career as a journalist. He began his writing career in 1960 and quickly became a key figure in motorsport reporting.
A legend of motorsport reporting
Helmut Zwickl was not only an outstanding journalist, but also a pioneer of Formula 1 reporting in Austria. He achieved lifetime accreditation from the FIA and his Formula One coverage spanned an impressive 560 Grands Prix, starting with the first race in Monaco in 1963. His ability to take readers into the world of motorsport was appreciated by many and made him, as Mario Andretti appreciatively put it, one of the most sought-after reporters in the paddock. Zwickl was known for his so-called "Viennese banter" and quick wit, which helped him develop deeper insights and relationships with the sport's big names, including Niki Lauda and Nigel Mansell.
The beginnings of his career were notable as they began with the writing of a Wild West novel. Although this did not bring him the success he hoped for, he quickly showed talent and passion for the craft of journalism. He wrote his first articles for COURIER and then published various books about the motorsport legend Jochen Rindt and about the exciting time of motorsport in the 70s. Helmut Zwickl's influence was not limited to reporting; he was also instrumental in increasing the value and importance of motorsport for Austrian newspapers, which was reflected by the opening of new race tracks such as the Österreichring and the Salzburgring.
His death leaves a huge void in the motorsport world. The memories he captured, both in his articles and in his book Back in the Day - When Sex Was Safe and Formula One Dangerous, will continue to be relevant for future generations of journalists and motorsport fans to understand the exciting stories and dynamics of motorsport.