Perhaps Watson was too much of a perfectionist in trying to set up the car, and could be less than inspired behind the wheel if the car wasn’t handling to his liking. He was a championship contender in 1982 by dint of some glorious recovery drives – his win from near the rear of the field in that year’s Detroit Grand Prix was particularly inspired – but his form, all-too-often was alarmingly variable.

Since retiring from F1, Watson drove in sports cars for the likes of Jaguar and Toyota, and is an esteemed motorsports commentator for the Eurosport TV network.