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Pretty and different F1 cars

16. Jul 2022 
by Ziv Knoll
5435 views

Back in 1973, most cars on the F1 grid looked so different. Each team had his own design philosophy and wind tunnels hardly existed. Engineers, some were real geniuses, came up with original concepts and solutions that resulted in very different and easily recognisable cars.

It was a real joy for the eye and gave us, one of the prettiest grids ever, at this 1973 French Grand Prix, held at the Paul Ricard circuit for the first time. Witness the picture above: Jackie Stewart, on pole position in his Tyrrell 006, shares the front row of the grid with Jody Scheckter, McLaren M23 and Emerson Fittipaldi in the gorgeous Lotus 72E.

The race was notable for a collision involving South African Jody Scheckter in his Yardley-McLaren M23, who was leading the race from the start in only his third Formula 1 race. Indeed, on lap 41, Emerson Fittipaldi (Lotus 72) had closed and attempted to pass the young South African, but Scheckter vigorously closed the door and they made heavy contact, forcing both drivers to retire.

Meanwhile, after so many promising races, Swedish super talent Ronnie Peterson, fought his way up, took the lead and finally took victory for the first time in his career, in the second JPS-Lotus 72-Ford. Tyrrell driver and crowd favorite François Cevert finished second, whilst Carlos Reutemann (Brabham) took third followed by poleman Jackie Stewart (Tyrrell) in fourth. Belgian Jacky Ickx brought his Ferrari 312B3 home in fifth position, in front of James Hunt who scored the first point of his F1 career, driving a Hesketh-owned March 731.

CIRCUIT PAUL RICARD, FRANCE – JULY 01: François Cevert, Tyrrell 006 Ford, Ronnie Peterson, Lotus 72E Ford, Denny Hulme, McLaren M23 Ford & Jean-Pierre Jarier, March 731 Ford on the starting grid during the French GP at Circuit Paul Ricard on July 01, 1973 in Circuit Paul Ricard, France.

 

Source: David Phipps

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