One of the most controversial, certainly the nastiest figures in motor racing, Walz led a shady life after racing (he later raced in sportscars for a while), and just before his death announced he was investing in Larrousse's F1 team. However, he was wanted by police in several countries in connection with four different - especially violent -murders. He avoided arrest at his home in France, but a month later he committed suicide after an protracted gun battle and siege, taking a policeman's gun from him after hurting the officer with a hand grenade. Before the descent into crime, Walz was actually a schoolteacher that then set up a luxury car company. This didn't go very well, but Walz, also known as Rainer Walldorf, then started his crime spree with investor's money.

Biography last updated 8 Sep 2023