François Cevert drove three times in the US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. The picturesque circuit in upstate New York was the scene of the Frenchman’s one and only Formula 1 victory. Tragically, it was also where Cevert would lose his life.
Cevert’s Watkins Glen Debut
1970 saw Cevert’s first appearance at the Glen, driving for Ken Tyrrell. While his team-mate Jackie Stewart had a brand new Tyrrell 001 at his disposal Cevert had to make do with the less impressive March chassis which he’d been racing that season.
Stewart led commandingly in the new Tyrrell before retiring, while a late race fuel stop for Pedro Rodriguez handed the lead and the win to Brazilian youngster Emerson Fittipaldi. It was only Fittipaldi’s fourth Grand Prix start. Cevert, meanwhile, had a miserable weekend. After qualifying in 17th position he was forced out of the race soon after half distance with a wheel problem.
Cevert Wins 1971 US Grand Prix
The Tyrrell team dominated the 1971 Formula 1 season, and Stewart was already confirmed as World Champion by the time of the US Grand Prix. Cevert qualified fifth, but was soon up to second in the race behind his team-mate Stewart. When the Scotsman’s tyres began to deteriorate Cevert went past and set about building a lead.
A very real threat to Cevert’s lead came from Ferrari driver Jacky Ickx. The Belgian was almost within striking distance when his alternator failed. Dropped oil from the incident caused both Denny Hulme and Cevert to go off. Hulme retired, but fortune was on Cevert’s side and he recovered, still in the lead.
When the chequered flag dropped Cevert had 40 seconds in hand over Jo Siffert in second place. It was an immensely popular victory. Stewart was delighted, having nurtured Cevert for many months at Tyrrell.
Stewart and Cevert Watkins Glen 1-2
Cevert returned to the scene of his greatest victory in 1972 and qualified fourth. In the race, after a slow start, he benefited from the misfortune of others to move up to third. After passing Hulme for second he followed his team-mate Stewart home, completing a Tyrrell 1-2.
Cevert’s Fatal Accident at Watkins Glen
Cevert arrived at the Glen in 1973 nursing a sore leg, the legacy of a crash in the Canadian Grand Prix a fortnight earlier. Apart from that there was little wrong in the Frenchman’s world. The US Grand Prix was the final race of the season. Stewart was again World Champion, but planned to retire after Watkins Glen. Cevert was not aware that he would be the Tyrrell number one in 1974.
The Frenchman with the movie star looks never did find out about his promotion to team leader. Cevert was pushing extremely hard in qualifying when the worst happened. The number six Tyrrell went off at a very fast section of the Watkins Glen circuit. It was a sickening accident and Cevert stood no chance of survival. In Maurice Hamilton's 2002 book, Ken Tyrrell: The Authorised Biography, published by HarperCollinsWillow, Tyrrell mechanic Roger Hill recalled that day;
"Francois had gone off as usual, full of life and smiles... When he didn't come round again there was that strange feeling that something was terribly wrong. You didn't need telling... Francois had been such a lovely guy. It really shook us badly."
The circuit which had brought Cevert such joy just two years previously became the stage for the final act of his life. He was 29 years old at the time of the accident.
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