I’m still on a bit of a high from the Jackie Stewart book signing last week and my inspired investigations into the Scot’s career tell the tale of a man who left the sport at exactly the right moment - at the pinnacle of success and in one piece. With his third world championship secured and with the death of his teammate and friend, Francois Cevert, at Watkins Glen fresh in his mind, Jackie retired from F1. That decision cemented Stewart as a legend in the sport.

Fast forward to the present and the announcement from Force India (the latest incarnation of Jordan F1) that they have signed Giancarlo Fisichella for two years. If ever there was someone in the sport today who should consider how helpful retirement would be to their reputation, its Fisichella.

While the Italian driver was at Minardi, Jordan, Bennetton, Jordan (again) and Sauber, people claimed Fisi was a champion in waiting who just needed a winning car. Pundits rated him amongst the top three racers in the sport. Of course, he finally landed a winning car in 2005 and 2006. So what happened? Well, Fisichella managed to win one race each year. Meanwhile, his teammate won 14 races and 2 world championships. By all accounts a pretty underwhelming performance.

So at 35, Fisichella has raced in twelve seasons of F1 - 196 races (nearly twice as many as Stewart -99) and is looking forward to another two years of racing at the very back of the grid. To what end? What will another two years of making up the numbers and touring around in circles provide? Instinctively I can say there won’t be wins or even podiums and there won’t be anymore talk of, “if only…” from the pundits.

What there will be is one more driver who believes he is entitled to his place in F1 and will stubbornly stay in the sport, only to deprive some young and talented rookie from starting his career. I believe everyone should get a chance at the brass ring and now Fisi has had his and missed. Its time to get off the merry-go-round that is F1 and give a youngster a chance.

Giancarlo, your contemporaries have moved on, voluntarily or not, and its time you did the same.

Really.

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Race fans of all descriptions in Toronto, Canada were given a special treat today - a visit from Sir Jackie Stewart: three times F1 World Champion, ambassador of motor racing, former team owner, and former President of the British Racing Driver’s Club. To this long and distinguished list can now be added the title of author. Jackie was in town to sign copies of his new autobiography, “Winning is Not Enough.”

The event was scheduled to kick off at 7 PM with the arrival of Sir Jackie and it is with no embarrassment that I admit that I was jittery with excitement throughout the day. In fact, a disturbing portion of my day was spent determining exactly how early I should plan to line up.

The early bird gets the worm, or in this case the front row seat and when its a living legend is on stage, you don’t want to be in the back of the theater. Anyone who has heard Jackie speak before knows to expect a warm and witty evening of stories. However, I think everyone in attendance was delighted with the intimacy and charm Stewart shared with his audience as he described the details of his life inside and outside of racing. For the best part of an hour I, like everyone in the crowd, hung on every word and cherished every anecdote.

Its been nearly 35 years since Jackie raced in F1 and the sport is barely recognizable now from what it was then. These days, the paddock is closed off to fans, the drivers do not have friendships with one another and the driver salaries have skyrocketed. But, the tracks and cars are safer and drivers do not leave home for a race thinking they might not return. For these things, we have Jackie Stewart to thank.

Jackie should forever be remembered as much for his safety crusade as for his success on the track. While some people felt that race drivers should be prepared to accept death as part of racing, Jackie believed that it was the skill and not the risk that was the heart of the sport. How right he was.

The book though, is not just about racing, it is about the rich life he shared with family, friends and contemporaries. I can’t comment on the prose or pace of the writing as I am just sitting down to read it. However, I can say that Jackie Stewart is a gifted storyteller with an epic story to tell and that fills me with optimism.

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