JO Siffert
started the tradition
The rare footage above shows the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967 with winners A.J.Foyt and Dan Gurney as well as the 2 litre class winners Hans Herrmann and Jo Siffert
© srf.ch
Winning Austrian Grand Prix 1971
Many say that it was Dan Gurney who started the tradition. That isn't completely wrong as he was part of the initial moment.
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Here's what really happend:
Dan is drinking from the Moët & Chandon Magnum and then hands it over to Jo Siffert.
Jo attempts to drink but the champagne - being under pressure from the handling - spills all over him at that exact time.
Laughter is the reaction and so it came that Seppi gave the spectators their share of the sparkling wet in a mischievously revenge. By now, the whole podium sprays frantically around in cheers.
Remember, Jo Siffert started the tradition of spraying Champagne on the podium