Fittipaldi in black and gold

Armed with what was arguably the greatest Formula One design of all time, the Lotus 72D (picture below), Emerson Fittipaldi proved dominant in 1972 as he won five of eleven races and claimed the F1 Drivers’ Championship.

At 25 he was then the youngest champion in F1 history. It appeared he might do it again in 1973. But after three wins in four attempts with the 72D, he began to struggle in the new 72E that was unveiled mid-year. This enabled Jackie Stewart (Tyrrell) to catch up in the title chase.

Picture above: Emerson Fittipaldi in his JPS Lotus-Ford 72E, at the 1973 British Grand Prix, Silversone (retired on lap 36, transmission failure). Victory went to Peter Revson in a McLaren M23.

The 1973 World Championship of Drivers was won by Jackie Stewart, driving for Elf Team Tyrrell. Lotus teammates Fittipaldi and Peterson raced each other and took points and victories from each other, while Stewart was supported at Tyrrell by François Cevert. The Constructors’ Championship went to the John Player Special Team Lotus.