F1 World Champion Jackie Stewart
Formula 1 Title Winner with Tyrrell Cars in 1971 and 1973
Sep 29, 2008
Tyrrell 001, Championship Winning Car
In a bold move, Ken Tyrrell decided to manufacture his own car for the 1971 season, after a less than satisfactory time with the March chassis. The distinctive Derek Gardner designed Tyrrell 001 would be powered by a Ford DFV. François Cevert was retained as team-mate to Jackie Stewart. The car had made its debut towards the end of the 1970 season and had proved quick, but initially rather fragile. With sturdier stub-axles installed the Tyrrell team was confident of a strong showing.
The 001 was beaten in South Africa by Mario Andretti’s Ferrari, but after that there was no stopping Stewart. The new Tyrrell proved to be the class of the field, and allied to Stewart’s brilliant driving, the title never seemed in doubt. During the season Stewart won in Spain, Monaco, France, Great Britain, Germany and Canada. He was also delighted for his team-mate when Cevert scored his first Grand Prix win at Watkins Glen.
After the season was over a victory meeting was staged at Brands Hatch, to celebrate Stewart’s championship. Instead of a celebration, Stewart’s safety concerns were once again vindicated by an accident in the feature race which claimed the life of BRM driver Jo Siffert.
Stewart Endures Disappointing 1972 F1 Season
Tyrrell had right to be optimistic about the 1972 season. In addition to Stewart’s title the team had also won the constructor’s championship in 1971. The year started brightly, with Stewart winning first time out in Argentina. He was also campaigning in the Can-Am series that season and the gruelling schedule eventually took its toll. During 1972 Stewart was diagnosed with a blood disorder and a duodenal ulcer.
While Stewart struggled to recover, Brazil’s Emerson Fittipaldi became Formula 1’s youngest ever World Champion for Lotus. Despite his illness Stewart recovered to win the final two races of the season and ended up second in the championship.
Back on Top with Tyrrell 006 in 1973
The Tyrrell team was still operating from a humble wood yard in Surrey, England, at this time, but it didn’t stop them from producing another world-beating car for 1973. Once again designed by Gardner, the purposeful looking 006 was not the easiest car to drive, but Stewart and Cevert had soon mastered the art.
The sight of the blue Elf sponsored cars circulating in close proximity at the front of the field became a common sight throughout 1973. Cevert was content to follow Stewart and absorb all the advice he could from the double World Champion. Unbeknown to the Frenchman, he would be Tyrrell’s number one in 1974. Stewart had decided early in the year that 1973 would be his last season as a racing driver. The only people who knew of his plans were Ken Tyrrell, along with Ford’s Walter Hayes and John Waddell. Stewart had decided not to inform his wife until after his final race at Watkins Glen that October.
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