Clay at Monaco

Sir,

I write regarding Simon Taylor’s assertion in the July issue that overtaking in Monaco is impossible. Am I the only reader who remembers the performance of Clay Regazzoni at the wheel of a Williams FW07 in 1979?

Starting the race from 16th on the grid, and although assisted by several retirements, he overtook many top drivers to be third within 50 laps. When Gilles Villeneuve fell to gearbox failure on lap 53, Clay began to attack the leader Jody Scheckter, crossing the line 0.4sec behind the Ferrari.

Let us remember that in those days there were no pitstops, the cars had wider tracks and tyres than today, and their vulnerable sliding skirts were totally unsuitable to being run over kerbs.

So how did Clay do it if overtaking is impossible in Monaco?

I AM, YOURS, ETC

Gary Spaven. Cottingham, East Yorkshire