1973 French Grand Prix
The French Grand Prix 1973 was held on 1 July at the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet place and was the eighth race of the Formula 1 season 1973.
- 3.1 Start -up
- 3.2 race
- 4.1 Drivers' Championship
- 4.2 Constructors' Championship
Reports
Background
After the teams had previously completed a few weeks, the long distance from Monaco to Sweden, took place after its Grand Prix the almost equally long return journey to the South of France. There was thus little time for further technical developments on the vehicles.
Ferrari came back with two cars, so Arturo Merzario returned to the peloton. With Andrea de Adamich in the third Brabham, a second Italian was back at the start.
Mike Beuttler, who had suffered injuries in a Formula 2 race, was represented in the privately entered March of the Clarke - Mordaunt- Guthrie teams by Pure Wisell, who had already participated as a guest in a private March at the Swedish Grand Prix. The team Hesketh Racing reiterated also a customer - March at the start, which, as has been piloted at the premiere at the Grand Prix of Monaco, by James Hunt.
Due to commitments at a race in the U.S. Peter Revson was once again replaced by Jody Scheckter at McLaren.
The new team Ensign debuted this weekend with the Formula 1 rookie Rikky von Opel as a driver.
Originally yet been scheduled two more messages. John Watson wanted to make his Grand Prix debut in a fourth factory Brabham. The application should be funded by Andrea de Adam ego main sponsor. Due to a broken leg but Watson could not compete. Furthermore, the team Tecno appeared due to differences with the sponsor Martini not for race weekend.
Training
The pole position was won by Jackie Stewart. Next to the impressive again Jody Scheckter and Emerson Fittipaldi qualified for the front row. The second series was taken by François Cevert and Ronnie Peterson.
Race
Scheckter went from the front row in front of Peterson guide, which is a good start was succeeded from the second row. This was followed by Jackie Stewart, Denis Hulme and Emerson Fittipaldi. These five counterparties remained together at the top until the 16th round. Then Hulme fell back because of a tire problem and had to make a pit stop. A few laps later, Stewart had for a similar problem also stop.
Since the now second placed Peterson could not keep up with the leader Scheckter, he waved by his leading the world championship teammates Fittipaldi, so that he could try to fight the top. As Scheckter on lap 42 during the rounding of Jean -Pierre Beltoise briefly got into trouble, Fittipaldi saw a chance to overtake him. Since Scheckter however defended, collided the two duelists. Fittipaldi could not continue then, his opponent retired two laps later due to a consequential loss also made. Thus, Peterson came to his first Grand Prix victory.
James Hunt scored his first championship point after another strong performance.
Stewart finished in fourth place and thus took the lead in the drivers' world championship. In return, Lotus came by Peterson's victory in the World Constructors' Championship at Tyrrell past in the first place.
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).