In years past, drivers' wives were absorbed into their husbands' teams as timekeepers.
Bette Hill keeps her husband's times at Spa, Belgium, in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
In this role, they were on the track during their partners' qualifying sessions and races. While seemingly marginal, they were fully part of the circus.
Ronnie and Barbro Peterson.
Jochen and Nina Rindt.
They had longer relationships with the drivers than they do today, making them more visible and more closely associated with the pilots. Their constant presence during races made them a cohesive group and together they faced the burden of their husbands' sometimes unbearable risks.
Piers Courage with his wife Sally at Monza in 1968. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Drivers and their wives vacationed together and were united by true friendships.
Driver's women at Le Mans in 1969. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Timekeeping at Le Mans in 1969. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
These women were dressed with extreme elegance and possessed a class that often made them iconic.
Nina Rindt and Helen Stewart at Monaco in 1971. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Barbro Peterson, Nina Rindt (Piquet also said she was the best!!), Helen Stewart and others are still remembered today, even after all these years. Beautiful and classy, they formed an irreplaceable backdrop to that Formula 1 which, also due to their presence, was a highly attractive cocktail.
Barbro Peterson.
Sally Courage during the Monaco Grand Prix at Monte Carlo on 10 May 1970.
Apart from everything they were much more beautiful and stylish girls back then than in more recent times. Today there is a general lack of style and elegance.
Helen Stewart.
Donatella de Adamich.
The role of the wife/girlfriend timekeeper disappeared with the advent of automatic timekeeping in late 1970s.
Photo gallery
Sara speaks to her husband Ricardo Rodriguez at Monza in 1962. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Bette Hill verifies the lap times of her husband Graham at Spa in 1963. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Sara Rodriguez keeps the times during the Italian Grand Prix in Monza in 1963. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Lorenzo Bandini and John Surtees at Clermont-Ferrand in 1965. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Pedro Rodriguez in the pits at Nurburgring in 1966. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Vintage grid girls at Monza in 1967.
Helen Stewart timekeeping in the pits during the Italian Grand Prix at Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Italy, on 08 September 1968. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.
Nina Rindt at Silverstone in 1969. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Timekeeping girls sit on the pit wall at Zeltweg. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Timekeeping girls sit on the pit wall at Zeltweg. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Sally Courage at Monza in 1969. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Helen Stewart at Monza in 1969. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Bruce McLaren at Monza in 1969. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Bruce McLaren at Monza in 1969. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Nina Rindt.
Chris Amon sits with his girlfriend at the pit wall at Monaco in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Simone Siffert, her husband Jo and Stirling Moss at Monaco in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Denny Hulme and, behind him, Jackie Oliver's wife Lynn Hamilton in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Jackie Oliver's wife Lynn Hamilton.
Jochen and Nina Rindt during the podium ceremony at Brands Hatch in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Jochen and Nina Rindt during the podium ceremony at Brands Hatch in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Jochen and Nina Rindt with Colin Chapman during the podium ceremony at Brands Hatch in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Barbro Peterson during the German Grand Prix at Hockenheimring on Sunday 02 August 1970. Photo by LAT Images.
Barbro Peterson during the German Grand Prix at Hockenheimring on Sunday 02 August 1970. Photo by LAT Images.
Barbro Peterson during the German Grand Prix at Hockenheimring on Sunday 02 August 1970. Photo by LAT Images.
Barbro Peterson at Hockenheim in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Helen Stewart keeps the lap times of her husband Jackie at Hockenheim in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Jochen and Nina Rindt with Colin Chapman at Zeltweg in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Nina Rindt at Zeltweg in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Jochen and Nina Rindt at Zeltweg in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Jochen Rindt, Colin Chapman and girls at the 1970 Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Jochen and Nina Rindt at the 1970 Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Nina Rindt at the 1970 Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Nina Rindt at the 1970 Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Pedro Rodriguez' (foreground with helmet) English girlfriend Glenda takes the lap times at the 1970 Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Helen Stewart in Monza in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Donatella de Adamich.
A girl taking the lap times.
A girl taking the lap times.
Derek Bell with a girl at the Questor Grand Prix in Ontario on 28 March 1971. Photo by GP Library / Universal Images Group via Getty Images.
Mary Elford, wife of Vic Elford, with teammate Gerard Larrousse during the Monza 1000 km at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on April 25, 1971. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Alex Soler-Roig’s wife with Barbro Peterson and friend during the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday May 23, 1971 in Monte Carlo. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.
Barbro Peterson at Monte Carlo in 1971.
Nina Rindt at Monte Carlo in 1971.
Helen Stewart at Monte Carlo in 1971.
Pat McNally laughs with Pedro Rodriguez at Monaco in 1971. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Mary Elford, Vic Elford's wife, reads the newspaper at Le Mans in 1971. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Barbro Peterson during the German Grand Prix at Nürburgring on Sunday August 01, 1971. Photo by LAT Images.
Barbro Peterson during the German Grand Prix at Nürburgring on Sunday August 01, 1971. Photo by LAT Images.
Barbro Peterson during the Italian Grand Prix at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on Sunday September 05, 1971. Photo by LAT Images.
Barbro Peterson during the Italian Grand Prix at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on Sunday September 05, 1971. Photo by LAT Images.
Barbro Peterson during the Italian Grand Prix at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on Sunday September 05, 1971. Photo by LAT Images.
Helen Stewart at Jarama in 1972. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Helen Stewart at Monte Carlo in 1972. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Nina Rindt at Zeltweg in 1972. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
John Surtees' wife at Monza in 1972. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Barbro Peterson during the Brazilian Grand Prix at Autódromo José Carlos Pace on Sunday February 11, 1973 in Sao Paulo. Photo by LAT Images.
Helena Fittipaldi and Barbro Peterson timekeeping at Le Castellet in 1973. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Helen Stewart at Nurburgring in 1973. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Helena Fittipaldi at Zelweg in 1973. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Helen Stewart at Zelweg in 1973. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Helen Stewart at Zelweg in 1973. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Girls keeping time at the Can-Am race at Riverside, USA, in 1973. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Barbro Peterson in 1974. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.
Barbro Peterson sews new Duckham logos onto her husband Ronnie's Lotus overalls at the Argentinean Grand Prix in Buenos Aires on 13 January 1974. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.
Ronnie Peterson pictured with his Swedish girlfriend Barbro Edwardsson at his home in Maidenhead on 13 March 1974. Photo by David White / Mirrorpix via Getty Images.
Ronnie Peterson pictured with his Swedish girlfriend Barbro Edwardsson at his home in Maidenhead on 13 March 1974. Photo by David White / Mirrorpix via Getty Images.
Ronnie Peterson pictured with his Swedish girlfriend Barbro Edwardsson at his home in Maidenhead on 13 March 1974. Photo by David White / Mirrorpix via Getty Images.
Ronnie Peterson relaxes with his wife Barbro Edwardson who sews patches onto his race overalls at the Kyalami Ranch Hotel during the South African Grand Prix on 30 March 1974. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.
Barbro Peterson during the Monaco Grand Prix at Monte Carlo on May 26, 1974. Photo by Autocar / LAT Images.
Ronnie Peterson and wife Barbro celebrate victory on the podium after the Monaco Grand Prix at Monte Carlo on May 26, 1974. Photo by LAT Images.
Ronnie Peterson and wife Barbro celebrate victory on the podium after the Monaco Grand Prix at Monte Carlo on May 26, 1974. Photo by LAT Images.
Ronnie Peterson and wife Barbro celebrate victory on the podium after the Monaco Grand Prix at Monte Carlo on May 26, 1974. Photo by LAT Images.
Barbro Peterson at Dijon in 1974. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Helen Stewart at Brands Hatch in 1974. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Barbro Peterson, wife of Ronnie, Lotus, wears her allegiance to her husband at the British Grand Prix in Brands Hatch on 20 July 1974. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.
Barbro Peterson works the lap chart for her husband Ronnie Peterson, Lotus, at the German Grand Prix in Nurburgring on 04 August 1974. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.
Barbro Peterson and Colin Chapman keep track of the times from the pit lane during the Austrian Grand Prix at Red Bull Ring on 18 August 1974. Photo by Autocar Lat Images.
Barbro Peterson, wife of Ronnie Peterson, in 1975. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.
Tenth placed Ronnie Peterson with wife Barbro enjoys a game of Backgammon with race retiree James Hunt, Hesketh, at the Kyalami Ranch Hotel at the South African Grand Prix on 01 March 1975. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.
Tenth placed Ronnie Peterson with wife Barbro enjoys a game of Backgammon with race retiree James Hunt, Hesketh, at the Kyalami Ranch Hotel at the South African Grand Prix on 01 March 1975. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.
Ronnie Peterson with wife Barbro enjoys a game of Backgammon at the Kyalami Ranch Hotel at the South African Grand Prix on 01 March 1975. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.
Mariella Reininghaus, Lauda girlfriend, at Zolder in 1975. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Pam Scheckter at Le Castellet in 1975. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Mimicha Reutemann in August 1975. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Bette Hill, Marlene Stommelen and Rolf Stommelen at Nurburgring in 1975. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Hans-Joachim Stuck with his wife at Nurburgring in 1975. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
Timekeeping girl at Nurburgring in 1975. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.
A grid girl at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 1975. Photo by Blick / RDB / Ullstein Bild via Getty Images.
A grid girl at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 1975. Photo by Roger Benoit / Blick / RDB / Ullstein Bild via Getty Images.
A grid girl at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 1975. Photo by Blick / RDB / Ullstein Bild via Getty Images.
A girl at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 1975. Photo by Roger Benoit / Blick / RDB / Ullstein Bild via Getty Images.
A grid girl at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 1975. Photo by Roger Benoit / Blick / RDB / Ullstein Bild via Getty Images.
Ronnie and Barbro Peterson at the launch of the new Lotus 77, held in a car park, in England in 1975. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.
Barbro Peterson with Pam Scheckter at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos in January 1976. Photo by Sutton Images.
Ronnie Peterson, March 761-Ford, relaxes with his wife Barbro and Tom Pryce, Shadow DN5B-Ford, at Kyalami on 06 March 1976. Photo by Lat Images.
Barbro Peterson performs lap timing duties for her husband Ronnie Peterson, Tyrrell, at the Argentinean Grand Prix in Buenos Aires on 09 January 1977. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.
Ronnie Peterson and his wife Barbro relax at the hotel during the Brazilian Grand Prix at Autódromo José Carlos Pace on 23 January 1977. Photo by LAT Images.
Ronnie Peterson and his wife Barbro relax at the hotel during the Brazilian Grand Prix at Autódromo José Carlos Pace on 23 January 1977. Photo by LAT Images.
A pair of JPS liveried Piper Navajo Chieftains owned by Colin Chapman, Lotus Team owner, sit on the runway at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix on 16 July 1977. Photo by David Phipp / Sutton Images.
Colin Chapman and the Lotus engineers monitor timings and wait with the pit boards during the race. Left to right: Barbro Peterson, Colin Chapman and designer Nigel Bennett during the Belgian Grand Prix in Zolder on 21 May 1978. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.
Colin Chapman and Barbro Peterson follow the progress of race winner Mario Andretti and Ronnie Peterson, who finished second, at the Belgian Grand Prix in Zolder on 21 May 1978. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.
Colin Chapman, Lotus Team owner, watches the race from the pit wall in the closing stages with Barbo Peterson and Bob Dance, Lotus mechanic, anticipating a 1-2 finish for the team at the Belgian Grand Prix in Zolder on 21 May 1978. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.
Colin Chapman prepares to perform his customary celebrations after a victory for Mario Andretti, Lotus. Long serving Lotus mechanic Bob Dance is hanging over the pit wall to Chapman's right and, at the top, Glenn Waters waves. Barbro Peterson is in the foreground at the Belgian Grand Prix in Zolder on 21 May 1978. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.
Colin Chapman and the Lotus team, including Barbro Peterson, Bob Dance, Lotus mechanic, Nigel Bennett, Lotus chief race engineer and Glenn Waters, Lotus mechanic, celebrate victory for Mario Andretti and second position for team mate Ronnie Peterson at the Belgian Grand Prix in Zolder on 21 May 1978. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.
Nelson Piquet's partner Sylvia Tamsuma, later mother to Nelsinho Piquet, at Le Castellet in 1983.
Mika Hakkinen chats with Nina Rindt at Estoril in 1993.
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