They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and this really is the case with these stunning up-close and personal pictures of some of the World’s greatest 1970’s Formula 1 drivers.

From behind their iconic helmets you really can imagine what it was like to be sat in the seat of an F1 car, in what may well have been the most dangerous time to be a racing driver. Many of these legends died in their cars doing exactly what they loved. Featured are the following drivers: (In no particular order.)

Jacky Ickx, Ronnie Peterson, Francois Cevert, Gunnar Nilsson, Niki Lauda, James Hunt, Patrick Depailler, Clay Regazzoni, Hans-Joachim Stuck and Chris Amon.

Image source: ivegotmytowel.tumblr.com