What was the best moment of your career?

Winning my first world title [of three] at Monza in 1969. It was doubly satisfying because I won the grand prix in Italy as well and it was a fantastic feeling to be recognised as the best Formula One driver in the world.

What was the worst moment of your career?

The death of my Tyrell teammate and friend, Francois Cevert, during the Saturday practice at Watkins Glen [in New York] in 1973. The violence of the accident was horrifying and I was one of the first on the scene but it was obvious there was nothing anybody could do for him. It would have been my 100th grand prix on the Sunday but I withdrew out of respect to Francois and called time on my career.

What was the best thing about being a driver in your era?

It was glamorous, very exciting and fulfilling, and there was a real sense of camaraderie among the drivers. Because it was so dangerous, you had to trust everybody else on the circuit, but we all knew the dangers involved and many of us became friends as well as rivals, and forged bonds which have never weakened.

What was the worst thing about competing in your era?

The loss of friends. Drivers who raced for the five-year period between 1968 and 1973 had a two out of three chance of being killed in F1. I used to look around the grid at the start of every year and there were people I had known and respected who were no longer with us. It was an appalling statistic. Some of the race tracks were almost unbelievably dangerous.

Who was the best driver you raced against?

Jim Clark. Unequivocally. He had all the qualities to make his mark in the sport and there was a feeling when he died in 1968 that if it could happen to him, it could happen to anybody. I was proud to be the same nationality as him. I still am.

Who is the best current driver?

I don’t think one person stands out from the rest. We have a very good group of drivers, including Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Rubens Barrichello, Mark Webber, Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel, but it would be erroneous to brand one as better than the others.

Who is the best of all time?

Juan Manuel Fangio. His exploits speak for themselves.

What was the best race track of your era?

Monte Carlo. The principality, the fashion, the glamour, the Mediterranean, the presence of the royals at Monaco every year, the mood. It all added up to something special.

What was the worst track?

The old Nurburgring was ludicrously dangerous. When you won there it was very satisfying but there were 187 corners on every lap and it was a massive challenge to your skill, instinct and bravery. There were many times when I drove from my home en route to Germany, wondering if I would return in one piece. I was fortunate but many others weren’t so lucky.

What is the best track now?

Silverstone is a very good drivers’ track. So is Spa. Monaco still has an allure about it, but as a race track Silverstone is excellent and it will be a shame if it doesn’t stage any more grands prix.

What is the best thing about the sport nowadays?

The scale of it, the global impact of it, and the hysteria it generates.

What is the worst thing about the sport nowadays?

The governance. [Sir Jackie has been critical of the seemingly random punishments handed out to certain teams and the tenure of Max Mosley at the head of the FIA]. We also have part-time stewards in charge of a multi-million-pound sport.

What is the best advance in the sport?

The improvements in safety.

WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

I’m in a very fulfilling place. I still love the sport and derive enormous pleasure from it. I’ve also worked as an ambassador for Scotland and I’ve been able to champion the dyslexia issue in my homeland, which gives me great pride.

All seven teacher training colleges in Scotland now have the ability to make sure every teacher knows how to recognise the signs of children with learning difficulties and dyslexia and we are world leaders in that respect.

I’m at an age [Stewart turned 70 in June] where my access to people and to institutions has benefits and I want to keep working as hard as ever. I came back to Scotland to open a 40th anniversary exhibition last week at the National Museum [in Edinburgh] commemorating my first F1 championship win and it is terrific that so many people are still interested in what I achieved.

ON TV TODAY Jackie Stewart: The Flying Scot 8.55pm ESPN Classic, Sky channel 429