1970 South African Grand Prix
The Grand Prix of South Africa 1970 took place on March 7, held at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit and was the first race of the Formula 1 season 1970.
- 3.1 Start -up
- 3.2 race
- 4.1 Drivers' Championship
- 4.2 Constructors' Championship
Reports
Background
One of the many innovations with which the Formula 1 kicked off the new season was the new manufacturer March, who possessed so far only experience in Formula 3 and had now constructed with the Model 701 for the first time a Formula 1 car participation. Two of these vehicles were used as company cars and piloted by Chris Amon, who had been recruited by Ferrari, and Jo Siffert. In addition, during the season many specimens were sold to customers and private teams. One of the first customers was Ken Tyrrell, who had equipped his team in previous years with Matra vehicles.
Ferrari committed the former Brabham driver Jacky Ickx initially as the only driver since the company had financial difficulties. Thanks to the takeover by Fiat last year, it went up again, so that was to be expected for the rest of the season with an increase to two or three works cars, which eventually occurred.
John Surtees was launched for the first time for his own team, but first in a McLaren customer car.
The Team Brabham designed the first time a monocoque chassis, while this for several years was the standard design with many competitors. Jack Brabham and Rolf Stommelen constituted the factory team, the two cars were significantly different painted and glued and were always reported under different team names, Brabham cars under the name of his company "Motor Racing Developments " and Stommelens car after its main sponsor, the German magazine Auto motor und Sport.
Lotus initially joined with the previous model Lotus 49, while working speedily on the new Lotus model 72. In addition to Jochen Rindt was John Miles second factory driver instead of Graham Hill, who moved into the private team of Rob Walker and there still drove Lotus vehicles.
Matra entered after the end of cooperation with Tyrrell this year as an independent factory team with drivers Henri Pescarolo and Jean -Pierre Beltoise to.
Training
March was immediately impressed by Jackie Stewart with his customer's vehicle reached the pole position and Chris Amon in one of the two factory cars with identical qualifying time standing beside him. The three- vehicle front row was completed by Jack Brabham. They were followed by Jacky Ickx and Jochen Rindt, who shared the second row.
Race
After the start first took Jackie Stewart the lead while Amon, Rindt and Brabham in the first curve slightly touched and fell back. Jacky Ickx, Jean -Pierre Beltoise, Jackie Oliver and Bruce McLaren went first past the duelists. However, the very strong propelled Brabham was able to catch up quickly and had these four overtakes again after six rounds. At the end of lap 20, he finally passed the leading Stewart and was thus at the top. Some laps later also overtook Denis Hulme, who had meanwhile been working up to third place, the second-place Stewart. This order remained until the finish exist. Only the first three and the fourth-placed Beltoise were at the end yet within a round.
Message list
Classifications
Line-up
Race
WM stands after the race
The first six of the race were 9, 6, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point (s).