F1 Rejects Interview with

Neville Lederle

To state the bleeding obvious, F1 in the 1960s was a different era. When the World Championship circus came to town, local drivers could enter their cars and test themselves against the best. This was in no way uncommon in South Africa, and so in 1962, local Neville Lederle entered his Lotus 21 ... and promptly scored a point for 6th on debut!

Lederle went on to totally dominate the local South African F1 series the following year, when a dreadful accident stopped him in his tracks and threatened to end his career. An attempt to qualify for the 1965 South African GP saw the curtain close on this fleeting, but brightly shining, star.

We thank Neville for his time and effort, and F1 Rejects' Mischa Bijenhof for arranging the interview and conducting the in-depth research on Neville's career! For full details of Neville's F1 races, and information on his career, please see our Neville Lederle biography.

Upon my return home at the end of the year, I continued rallying and racing the beetle. In 1959, my Father purchased a 356 Porsche Super 90, which I also raced, not with a great degree of success. It was about this time that Colin Chapman announced his Lotus 20 Junior. I fell in love with this car immediately, and after much discussion with my Father, I was sent to England in 1961 and took delivery of my brand new Lotus 20, through the Jim Russell driving school, and commenced participation in club races at Silverstone, Mallory Park, Snetterton and Oulton Park.

I enjoyed a modicum of success. I had a prang at Silverstone during the International Daily Express meeting, which was a bit of an eye opener. Anyway, I returned home toward the end of 1961, and continued to racing the 20, gradually the engine grew to a full 1500cc, and what with modified brakes and the engine, became something of a giant killer!!

You had much success in both the Lotus 20 and the Lotus 21. How did the two cars compare?
At the end of 1962, my Dad asked me what I intended doing for the following year, to which I replied that I would continue campaigning the 20, to which he said that, no, I need a full Formula 1 car. With that the phone rang, and I was told that Syd van der Vyver was selling his Lotus 21 for 4,000 pounds. Now, that was a huge amount to a 23 year old, so I mentioned this to my Dad, who replied that I must go and buy it. As you can imagine, I was over the moon.

It is difficult to compare the two cars, as they were both a delight to drive, although of course the 21 was very much faster.

What are your memories of the 1962 South African GP?
My first race in the 21 was the Rand Spring Trophy. I finished 2nd to Gary Hocking. Then in the Rhodesian Grand Prix, second again to Gary. Then the Rand Grand Prix, against some works teams, I was 5th overall. The Natal Grand Prix, I came 4th overall, and then came the South African Grand Prix at East London.

I have so many memories of this race. Jimmy Clark passing me on the OUTSIDE of Potters Pass bend, the fastest on the circuit, which encouraged me to take it flat out, in so doing knocking something like 3-4 seconds of my time. Signing my first autograph, and then walking into the drivers briefing, almost hand in hand with Ernest Pieterse, both of us thinking what are we doing in this august company? Stirling Moss, my big hero, actually coming up and introducing himself!! He was the guest of honour, still recuperating from his terrible Goodwood accident.

You scored a point and became a graded driver. Did that prove to be a hindrance to your career?
It was only later that that one point came up, when I was excluded from racing in National events in Angola, Rhodesia and Mozambique.

Your 1963 in the South African Racing Drivers' Championship was almost Schumacher-esque. What do you remember from that year?
My memories of 1963 are something of a blur. I think I won all of the races except one, where whilst in the lead, I ran out of fuel, and of course the one in Pietermaritzburg, where I withdrew as a result of my Fathers Death. In retrospect, I now think my withdrawal was wrong, for I am sure my Dad would have liked me to participate.

How do you think the South African Championship was rated in Europe in those days?
I really don't know what our championship was thought of in Europe. What I do know, is that before we were barred from holding any further International events, all the works teams and drivers, loved coming to South Africa, not only for our weather, but for our circuits.

What are your recollections of your accident in practice for the Kyalami Nine Hour that year?
My clearest memory of the accident was to tell the doctor treating me, that I had to be ready for the up coming Grand Prix series, as I had a chance of a works drive, for either Cooper or Lotus! Oh yes, my leg was still in plaster 11 months after the accident. Whilst recuperating and on my back for such a long time, one has a great deal of time to think.

Since the passing of my Father, our business had grown, and of course I had a far greater role to play in our organisation, for I was now a 50% owner of the business, so decided to sell my car and hang up my gloves.

When you drove in the Rand GP in late 1964 and tried to qualify for the 1965 South African GP, was that a last hurrah or a genuine attempt at a comeback?
Aldo Scribante had purchased my 21, and after much persuasion from him, I agreed to drive in the Rand and South African Grands Prix, as he had not enjoyed much success before. It was quite a shock when I got into the car again, for it really was very badly prepared. I couldn't get anywhere within about 8-10 seconds of my previous times.

I must though admit, that some of this could have been me, being a bit out of practice, but not by so much. At East London I was eventually sticking my neck out to go for good times, and thought, "Hey, this is stupid," and packed it up permanently. It was all a bit of a joke really.

Do you think you ever had a chance to become a full-time World Championship driver?
I have given this a great deal of thought, and can only be truthful and admit that I doubt very much that I would have gone much further. Firstly, I am inherently shy, and made no effort to sell myself. When I think of the likes of John Love, Dave Charlton and Tony Maggs, I did a pathetic job of promoting myself.

Do you still follow racing today?
Yes, I do watch all the Grands Prix, but must admit that for the last two seasons, I invariably fall asleep until the first pit stops!!! I find the cars so boring compared to "our" day. I think the new [A1GP series] format is great, where each country will be represented by its local driver, competing in basically identical cars.

We have heard that you have been reunited with your Lotus 21?
It now is in the collection of Bob Woodward from America, He has brought the car out on a few occasions to participate it Historic races here, under the auspices of David Piper. I have again driven it, albeit very slowly on a few occasions. Really quite emotional. I met Bob and the 21 again on the 28th January of 2005, and again the following weekend in Cape Town.

What were the best and worst moments of your career?
My lasting memory of 1963 was the incredible relationship I built up with my Father. Bearing in mind that he was then 72 years of age, he came everywhere with me, and was my greatest supporter, not to mention sponsor. Other best moments were my World Championship point, my runaway victory in the S.A. championship, and then of course many years later through the Internet, to find that I was Rookie of the year for 1962.

My worst moment was the passing of my Father. I have now retired, what with a family of four sons, the arrival of our first grandson, life has been very good to me!

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