Formula 1 1970
F1 Races at Monza, Mont Tremblant, Watkins Glen and Mexico City
Graham Hill, who had been campaigning a private Lotus 49, finally received a type 72 to drive at Monza. In the works car Jochen Rindt was running on Saturday with no wings, in an attempt to increase his top speed on the fast circuit. Approaching the Parabolica corner at around 200 mph a brake shaft on his Lotus broke, sending the car out of control into the barriers. The impact devastated the car’s monocoque and, despite speedy attention from the marshals, Rindt died a short time later.
Lotus withdrew from the Italian Grand Prix, as did Hill in his Brooke Bond Oxo sponsored type 72, entered by Rob Walker. In the race Clay Regazzoni delighted the locals with a Ferrari victory but, considering the previous day’s events, it hardly seemed to matter. Jackie Stewart was second and Jean-Pierre Beltoise third.
Tyrrell Unveil New F1 Car at Canadian GP
At the Mont Tremblant circuit in Canada Lotus were again absent as they regrouped after the loss of Rindt. Tyrrell, meanwhile, had a new car. The type 001 was the first Formula 1 car to be constructed by Tyrrell and its potential was immediately obvious. Stewart led from the start until a stub-axle broke on the new car. Jacky Ickx inherited the lead and the victory. Regazzoni completed a 1-2 for Ferrari, with Chris Amon third. Although Ickx could equal Rindt’s points tally the Austrian would have more wins. The unfortunate Rindt became the sport’s first posthumous World Champion.
Fittipaldi Wins His First Grand Prix
Emerson Fittipaldi, who had made his debut earlier in the year at Brands Hatch, was back in a Gold Leaf Lotus at Watkins Glen. The young Brazilian qualified an impressive third but, in the race, there was no catching Stewart. The Scot dominated proceedings until an engine failure late in the race robbed him of victory. The lead passed to the BRM of Pedro Rodriguez but an unplanned pit-stop for fuel ruined his chances. Through it all came Fittipaldi to score his maiden Grand Prix win. Rodriguez managed to salvage second, followed by Reine Wisell in another Lotus.
Ferrari Win Mexican GP and Brabham Retires from F1
The final race of the 1970 season took the Formula 1 circus to Mexico City. Regazzoni claimed pole while Jack Brabham qualified fourth for his final Grand Prix. The start was delayed as the overly enthusiastic Mexican crowd had to be coaxed back from the edge of the track. Regazzoni led away from Stewart, but Ickx managed to pass both of them. Stewart’s race ended ignominiously when he hit a stray dog. Brabham, meanwhile, saw his incredible career end with an engine failure. Ickx won with Regazzoni second and Denny Hulme third for McLaren.
For the drivers it was difficult to view 1970 as anything but a deeply unhappy year. Three popular members of the Formula 1 paddock had died in accidents and one of them, Rindt, was not around to celebrate his World Championship. As speeds increases and circuits stagnated, safety was the burning issue of the day.
Tyrrell and Transporter
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