Siffert and Gethin Both Win for BRM
At the Austrian Grand Prix in August local driver Niki Lauda made his debut in a March. The future World Champion was disappointed to retire from the race with engine failure. Lauda was very much in the shadow of fellow countryman Jo Siffert, who qualified his BRM on pole and dominated the race to score the second and final Grand Prix win of his career. Joining Siffert on the podium were Emerson Fittipaldi and Tim Schenken, in a much deserved third place.
Tyrrell were off form in Austria. Jackie Stewart, struggling with a vibration, was passed by his team-mate François Cevert. Stewart was later forced into retirement when a wheel came off. Despite this the Scot was still able to claim his second World Championship after Jacky Ickx also retired from the race.
The Monza circuit had always produced great slipstreaming battles, but the 1971 race was particularly close. For a while it seemed that Chris Amon would win but, continuing his appalling record of bad luck, the New Zealander accidentally removed all of his tear-off visors at once. Forced to slow down he finished well off the pace in sixth.
At the front five cars battled for the lead and, when they crossed the line, it was the closest finish in Formula 1 history. Just six tenths of a second covered the five cars. The winner, at a record speed of 150.75 mph, was Peter Gethin in a BRM. Ronnie Peterson’s March was second and Cevert’s Tyrrell third. Mike Hailwood and Howden Ganley finished fourth and fifth respectively. In a remarkable turn of fortune for the English team, BRM had won consecutive Grands Prix.
Stewart Wins Canadian Grand Prix
Gethin was not racing in the next event at Mosport in Canada. His McLaren seat was filled for the race by American driver Mark Donohue. The car bore Sunoco sponsorship and was entered by Roger Penske. The race was wet and Stewart, starting from pole, led from Siffert. The Austrian failed to complete a lap before falling victim to the tricky conditions. The race was stopped early due to the weather with Stewart declared the winner. Peterson boosted his reputation further with second place, while Donohue finished an excellent third.
Cevert Scores First F1 Win at Watkins Glen
The 1971 season ended in upstate New York, at the scenic Watkins Glen circuit. There was a new face at Tyrrell, with American Peter Revson driving a third car. The front row comprised Stewart, Fittipaldi and Denny Hulme, but this was to be Cevert’s day. Starting from fifth the Frenchman passed Stewart, who was struggling with tyre wear. It was the sole victory of Cevert’s Formula 1 career. Siffert came home second with Peterson third.
Before 1971 ended Formula 1 had lost yet another driver. In a non-championship race at Brands Hatch Siffert crashed his BRM and died in the resulting fire. It was a timely reminder for everyone in the sport that there was still much work to be done on safety.
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