Having witnessed fatal accidents of colleagues too many times, e.g. before the 1969 German Grand Prix when his teammate and neighbor Gerhard Mitter died, the 42-year-old announced his retirement on TV, after having driven the winning car in a parade through Stuttgart from the factory to the town hall.
Presenciara accidentes mortais de colegas demasiadas veces, ex. antes do Gran Premio de Alemaña de 1969, cando morreu o seu compañeiro de equipo e veciño Gerhard Mitter. con 42 anos anunciou a súa retirada na televisión, logo de conducir o coche gañador nun desfile a través de Stuttgart da fábrica ao concello.