It wouldn’t happen today. Yet 40 or 50 years ago, it wasn’t unusual to see gorgeous young women – the WAGs (wives and girlfriends) of top-class racing drivers – taking a serious role on raceday, armed with a stopwatch, a clipboard and, in the 1960s at least, a very short skirt.
Among the most famous of the timekeeping ‘WAGs’ was Nina Rindt, wife of the legendary Jochen and herself the daughter of a Finnish racing driver. A model before her marriage to Rindt in 1967 (two years after he won Le Mans), Nina was a stylish addition to the paddock, but also a dab hand with the stopwatch. Keeping an accurate lap-chart is no mean feat, requiring a sharp mind and total concentration. Plus, ideally, high cheekbones, perfect skin and very long legs.
Text: Charis Whitcombe (Classic Driver)
Photos: Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images
