Switzerland is a small country but with a rather big history in motorsport. As racing on closed circuits is forbidden since the Le Mans disaster in 1955, hill climbs are the most popular events. It was and is the only possibility for Swiss racing drivers to compete in front of their fans.
Of all Swiss racing drivers, Jo Siffert was probably the most popular of them all. An easy to approach down to earth guy with no attitudes, who worked his way up from the lowest ranks of society. Even if he was a well-respected member of international top motorsport classes, he always tried to show up once a year in front of his local crowd.
That`s what he did in summer 1968, a few weeks before he won his first World Championship Formula One Grand Prix in Brands Hatch. He went up the hill at the famous Les Rangiers – St. Ursanne race in Rob Walkers striking dark blue Lotus 49, fitted with the impressive high wing which became a common sight with monoposti during that era. 
The idea for the painting was to make the venue easily recognizable for the viewer. Therefor I did choose the huge bridge which transverses the road to St. Rangiers for my background. Also, I did not want to create a photo realistic painting, so I opted for an “Art-Deco” approach, with no blending of colors on the painting, except of the car. To make it clear where all this happened, I added the description in the top middle, which gives the painting the look of a poster.