There was a new face at Ferrari for the Belgian Grand Prix. The exciting young Italian driver Ignazio Giunti made his Formula 1 debut on the daunting Spa-Francorchamps circuit. He was easily spotted with his eclectic helmet design.
Rodriguez Wins for BRM at Spa
In 1970 the Grand Prix started with the run down to Eau Rouge, and it was Jochen Rindt who jumped into the lead. It didn’t last long, as Chris Amon forced his way past during the first lap. He, in turn, lost the lead to Jackie Stewart shortly after. It was not to the Scot’s day as he eventually retired from the race. Victory went to Pedro Rodriguez, at a circuit where his V12 BRM could stretch its legs. The new Tony Southgate designed car was clearly going to be a force throughout the season. The perennially unlucky Amon had to settle for second, with Jean-Pierre Beltoise scoring another podium for Matra in third.
In, "Formula 1, The Autobiography", edited by Gerald Donaldson and published in 2002 by Weidenfeld and Nicolson, Stewart is quoted talking about Rodriguez in 1970. The Mexican and Jacky Ickx were two drivers particularly opposed to Stewart's safety crusade;
"Rodriguez is everything the neophyte thinks about racing drivers. Hot-blooded, Latin, and totally irrational."
Courage Dies in Zandvoort Crash
In Holland François Cevert made his debut, replacing Johnny Servoz-Gavin at Tyrrell. Dan Gurney and Peter Gethin were driving for McLaren, as the team tried to come to terms with the loss of Bruce McLaren while testing a Can-Am car at Goodwood. Denny Hulme was also sidelined, having suffered burns in a crash at Indianapolis. There was also a private McLaren, driven by 1964 World Champion John Surtees. It was merely a stopgap solution while the Briton waited for the first Surtees Formula 1 car to be completed.
Ferrari had another new driver at Zandvoort, the young Swiss charger Clay Regazzoni. The most interesting car at the circuit was the brand new Lotus 72, which featured side-mounted radiators and inboard brakes. Jochen Rindt used it to great effect in qualifying, putting the Lotus on pole, with Stewart and Ickx alongside.
Ickx led initially in his Ferrari but Rindt was soon past. From there on the race was a formality for the Austrian as he circulated in isolation at the front. Behind him Piers Courage was driving a De Tomaso entered by Frank Williams. The red car left the track at high speed and crashed heavily, before the magnesium chassis was consumed by an inferno. Courage didn’t stand a chance of survival and, as the de Tomaso burned, the race continued. At the flag Rindt was the winner, followed by Stewart and Ickx, but there was little to celebrate. Both Rindt and Stewart were close friends with Courage and his wife, Sally.
The 1970 F1 season review continues
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