Was Cevert faster?

François Cevert at full speed in his Tyrrell 006-Ford, during the 1973 German Grand Prix held at the Nürburgring. On the picture-above, he leads Ickx (McLaren) and Lauda (BRM). The French driver, always improving in the shadow of his team mate Stewart qualified in third. Jackie Stewart took pole position ahead of Lotus driver Ronnie Peterson.

The 14-lap race (of the 22.8 km circuit) was dominated by the two Tyrrells of Stewart (picture-below) and Cevert, with Jacky Ickx  a distant third in a McLaren M23-Ford. It was said at the time that Cevert who finished just behind Stewart, was faster that day and could have attacked him for the lead, but did not do so, out of respect for his leader, but later Stewart revealed: “I was cruising knowing that François would not try to pass me, and I could have raced much faster, but it was not necessary, our lead was substantial.”