François, the successor

In his third full season as a team mate to Scot Jackie Stewart, François Cevert had evolved into a more complete driver, and regularly matched the great Scot’s pace. A couple of times, he even stayed behind Stewart, out of respect for his mentor.

With the retirement of Stewart at the end of 1973, Cevert was meant to become the lead driver at Tyrrell in 1974, and many believe he could have become a world champion, but then sadly came Watkins Glen…

“François was just getting stronger and stronger all the time and it was very obvious to me he was going to be a World Champion. He was good enough to beat me and was hungry enough, and it was obvious he was going to be Ken’s (Tyrrell) number 1.” – Jackie Stewart.

Picture below: François Cevert and Jackie Stewart at the 1973 Dutch Grand Prix, where the Tyrrell drivers finished first and second, Stewart crossing the finishing line 15 seconds ahead of Cevert.