United States GP 1973

United States GP, 1973

There was much speculation as the F1 circus gathered in upstate New York that the event would be World Champion Jackie Stewart's 100th and last Grand Prix. The only other interest was focussed on the battle for second place in the title race between Stewart's Tyrrell team mate Francois Cevert and Team Lotus's Emerson Fittipaldi. Several teams were running third cars with McLaren's Jody Scheckter being joined by a third Tyrrell run for Chris Amon; a third Shadow (Brian Redman) and a third Surtees (Jochen Mass). John Watson appeared in place of Rolf Stommelen in the third Brabham while Clay Regazzoni was back in action for BRM having not been entered in Canada and Jacky Ickx joined the Iso-Marlboro team. Ronnie Peterson's weekend began with an accident in his Lotus on Friday morning but he was still fastest on the first day. On Saturday Cevert crashed in the final minutes of the morning session, going into the barriers in The Esses at high speed. He was killed instantly. Tyrrell immediately withdrew his two other cars - although this meant that he gave up the chance of winning the Constructors' title - and there was little enthusiasm from the rest of the field for further qualifying. Peterson was therefore on pole position from Carlos Reutemann's Brabham, Fittipaldi's Lotus and James Hunt's Hesketh March. In the race Peterson took the lead at the start and after four laps Hunt passed Reutemann to take second place. Denny Hulme made quick progress to pass Mike Hailwood and Emerson Fittipaldi to run in fourth place. Peterson and Hunt ran nose-to-tail at the front with Reutemann remaining a constant threat but Emerson Fittipaldi had to pit when he flat-spotted his tires avoiding a spinning Scheckter and he had to pit. In the closing laps Hunt challenged for victory but Peterson held him off and they crossed the line separated by only six-tenths of a second. Reutemann was third with Hulme and Revson fourth and fifth in their McLarens and Fittipaldi sixth.

POSNODRIVERENTRANTLAPSTIME/RETIREMENTQUAL POS
Ronnie Peterson Lotus-Cosworth 72E 59 1h41m15.799s  
27 James Hunt March-Cosworth 731 59 1h41m16.467s  
10 Carlos Reutemann Brabham-Cosworth BT42 59 1h41m38.729s  
Denny Hulme McLaren-Cosworth M23 59 1h42m06.025s  
Peter Revson McLaren-Cosworth M23 59 1h42m36.166s  
Emerson Fittipaldi Lotus-Cosworth 72E 59 1h43m03.744s  
26 Jacky Ickx Iso Marlboro-Cosworth IR 58  23 
19 Clay Regazzoni BRM P160E 58  15 
20 Jean-Pierre Beltoise BRM P160E 58  14 
10 15 Mike Beuttler March-Cosworth 731 58  26 
11r 18 Jean-Pierre Jarier March-Cosworth 731 57 Accident 17 
12 25 Howden Ganley Iso Marlboro-Cosworth IR 57  19 
13 12 Graham Hill Shadow-Cosworth DN1 57  18 
14 16 George Follmer Shadow-Cosworth DN1 57  20 
15 17 Jackie Oliver Shadow-Cosworth DN1 55  22 
16 Arturo Merzario Ferrari 312B3 55  11 
nc 11 Wilson Fittipaldi Brabham-Cosworth BT42 52  25 
Jody Scheckter McLaren-Cosworth M23 39 Suspension 10 
30 Jochen Mass Surtees-Cosworth TS14A 35 Engine 16 
21 Niki Lauda BRM P160E 35 Fuel Pump 21 
23 Mike Hailwood Surtees-Cosworth TS14A 34 Suspension 
24 Carlos Pace Surtees-Cosworth TS14A 32 Suspension 
John Watson Brabham-Cosworth BT42 Engine 24 
dq 31 Brian Redman Shadow-Cosworth DN1 Push Start After Spin 13 
28 Rikky von Opel Ensign-Cosworth N173 Throttle Slides Jammed 27 
ns Francois Cevert Tyrrell-Cosworth 006  Fatal Accident 28 
ns Jackie Stewart Tyrrell-Cosworth 006  Withdrew 
ns 29 Chris Amon Tyrrell-Cosworth 005  Withdrew 12