The unsuccessful attempt to produce a competitive four-wheel drive car for Formula 1 had finally run its course, Lotus reluctantly abandoned the effort and set about designing a car that would return them to the top. That car would be the famous Lotus 72 but after its disappointing debut at Jarama, Rindt was resigned to drive the old Lotus 49C with new front suspension at the next race, Monaco. Rindt had come to Lotus in 1969 and was very much a man in a hurry. He often spoke of making one major attempt at the World Championship before retiring and in his mind this would be the year. He was hesitant about joining Lotus as he felt that their cars were un-safe and after his accident at Jarama the year before, when his rear-wing failed he was even more certain of this being the case but he also knew that when Lotus got it right it could be unstoppable.
Meanwhile Jack Brabham, ironically Rindt’s previous boss was competing in the last season of a storied career that saw him win three World Championships, the last in his own car. He had previously promised his wife, Betty, that 1969 would be his last year but unable to secure the services of a top flight driver and wanting to try his hand in the new monocoque BT33 he decided to drive one more year.
