| rdfs:comment | - Colors = id:canvas value:rgb(0.937,0.937,0.937) id:linemark value:gray(0.8) id:linemark2 value:gray(0.9) BackgroundColors = canvas:canvas PlotData = mark:(line,linemark) from:start till:28 color:pink shift:(20,-5) text:Clay Regazzoni (Laps 1-28) from:28 till:85 color:darkblue shift:(20,-5) text:François Cevert (Laps 29-85) from:85 till:end color:green shift:(20,-5) text:Emerson Fittipaldi (Laps 86-96)
|
| abstract | - Colors = id:canvas value:rgb(0.937,0.937,0.937) id:linemark value:gray(0.8) id:linemark2 value:gray(0.9) BackgroundColors = canvas:canvas PlotData = mark:(line,linemark) from:start till:28 color:pink shift:(20,-5) text:Clay Regazzoni (Laps 1-28) from:28 till:85 color:darkblue shift:(20,-5) text:François Cevert (Laps 29-85) from:85 till:end color:green shift:(20,-5) text:Emerson Fittipaldi (Laps 86-96) The 1973 Argentine Grand Prix, otherwise known as the X Gran Premio de la Republica Argentina, was the opening round of the 1973 FIA Formula One World Championship, held on the 28th of January 1973. The race would see the resumption of the Lotus / Tyrrell battle from 1972, with the two British teams locking out the podium. Qualifying, however, had seen an upset for the two pre-season favourites, as BRM swept to pole courtesy of new lead driver Clay Regazzoni. He would share the front row with defending World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi, while the second row would see Jacky Ickx beat Jackie Stewart to third. When the flag fell on raceday it would be a stunning three way battle into the first corner, with Fittipaldi, Regazzoni, and rising star François Cevert going wheel to wheel after excellent starts. A sensational drive carried young Cevert through to the lead, having started down in sixth, with Regazzoni carrying the fight into turn two to snatch the lead. The opening phase of the race would see very little change at the front of the field, with attention focusing on Stewart as he climbed up the order after a poor start. The Scot's charge would end up with the #6 Tyrrell in second on lap 32, after both he and teammate Cevert moved past Regazzoni when the Swiss racer began to struggle with tyre wear. Regazzoni would ultimately tumble down the order over the following laps, with Fittipaldi and Ronnie Peterson making their way through on laps 33 and 34 respectively. The two Tyrrells and the two Loti would then run together at the front of the field in a stalemate, suggesting that the Tyrrell 005 and Lotus 72D were very evenly matched. It seemed as if the only thing that would upset the top four would be mechanical trouble, demonstrated on lap 68 when Peterson's engine expired. Tyre wear then came into play, Stewart's pace deteriorating on lap 76, allowing Fittipaldi to cruise past for second. The Brazilian was therefore left with a chance to attack Cevert for the lead, with a terrific duel between the two resolved in favour of Fittipaldi ten laps from the end. Fittipaldi therefore had the perfect start to his title defence with victory ahead of Cevert, while Stewart held onto third despite a late charge by Ickx. Denny Hulme and Wilson Fittipaldi Júnior completed the scorers.
|
