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Snapshot, 1970: Denny drowns his sorrows

It’s 19 April 1970, and McLaren driver Denny Hulme is dejectedly swigging a Coke on the pit wall, lamenting the mechanical problem that’s just caused his retirement from the Spanish Grand Prix…

The former World Champion looked set for a bright start at Jarama, qualifying second on the grid between pole-sitter Jack Brabham and eventual victor Jackie Stewart. However, after just ten laps he’s retired with a broken distributor, forcing him to watch on gloomily from the pit lane. In the searing dry heat, his only consolation is a bottle of ice-cold Coca-Cola – but perhaps the Kiwi will switch to San Miguel once his team-mate and countryman Bruce McLaren secures his place on the podium…

Photo: Photographic/REX/Shutterstock