The 1971 and 1972 Formula 1 seasons established Tyrrell as one of the dominant teams of the era.
What had started as Ken Tyrrell's ambitious "Secret Project" now became a championship-winning operation. With Jackie Stewart at the peak of his career, François Cevert emerging as a future star, and Derek Gardner producing a succession of innovative cars, Elf Team Tyrrell rose to the top of Formula 1.
The team captured both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships in 1971 and remained one of the leading contenders throughout 1972.
For 1971, Ken Tyrrell officially formed Elf Team Tyrrell, continuing the successful partnership with the French oil company. At the same time, he transformed the team's Ockham woodyard headquarters into a more professional racing facility. The team remained loyal to the Cosworth DFV engine but switched to Goodyear tyres.
During extensive pre-season testing in South Africa, Jackie Stewart identified several weaknesses in the original Tyrrell 001, including concerns about durability. A testing accident also created the need for a replacement chassis. At the same time, François Cevert found the cockpit of the 001 too cramped for his taller frame.
Derek Gardner responded with a series of developments that would form the backbone of Tyrrell's championship challenge. The Tyrrell 002 featured a longer monocoque, extended wheelbase, improved cockpit space and a stronger structure. Gardner also introduced a substantial 360-degree roll-over hoop, side-mounted fuel fillers and gearbox-mounted oil coolers.
Soon after came the Tyrrell 003, largely based on the 002 but incorporating further refinements and adjustable pedals to accommodate both drivers. Throughout the season Gardner continued to improve the car, including wheelbase modifications and aerodynamic developments. A fourth chassis, the Tyrrell 004, served mainly as a spare car.
The season began promisingly in South Africa (photos above). Jackie Stewart put the Tyrrell 001 on pole position and finished second. Although victory went to Mario Andretti's Ferrari, it was clear that Tyrrell had built a competitive package. Cevert crashed his car.
.Jackie then raced to a P2 in the Questor GP and in the Race of Champions.
The real breakthrough arrived at the Spanish Grand Prix. Stewart qualified fourth on a wet circuit but delivered a flawless drive to secure the first Formula 1 World Championship victory for a Tyrrell-built chassis. It was a landmark moment for the team.
Further success followed at Monaco. After the team worked tirelessly to rebuild Stewart's damaged 003 following an accident at Silverstone, he rewarded their effort by taking pole position and victory around the streets of Monte Carlo. Even the loss of rear braking during the race could not prevent him from winning.
Chris Amon - Jackie Stewart Montjuich - Cevert
The Dutch Grand Prix proved disappointing, but in France the team introduced one of Gardner's most significant aerodynamic updates. Inspired partly by contemporary Matra and Chevron designs, he created a rounded bluff nose and mounted an airbox above the engine to provide cleaner airflow. The revised Tyrrells were immediately competitive.
At the French Grand Prix, Tyrrell achieved a dominant one-two finish, with Stewart leading home Cevert. It was confirmation that the team had become Formula 1's new benchmark.
Zandvoort
Paul Ricard
Stewart added further victories in Britain and Germany, while another one-two finish at the Nürburgring strengthened Tyrrell's championship campaign. Although reliability issues occasionally interrupted their progress, the team consistently remained among the front-runners.
British GP
German GP Nurburgring
One of the most memorable races of the season took place at Monza, where five drivers battled for victory in the closing laps. François Cevert briefly led before finishing third in one of the closest finishes in Formula 1 history.
As the year progressed, Cevert's confidence and speed continued to increase. At Watkins Glen, he finally achieved the breakthrough many expected, scoring his first Formula 1 victory in front of an enthusiastic crowd and proving he was becoming a genuine Grand Prix winner.
Monza Watkins Glenn
For the record: Tyrrell 001 was given to Peter Revson. His race lasted only a few laps.
The season concluded with Tyrrell firmly at the top of Formula 1.
Jackie Stewart – Formula 1 World Champion, 62 points François Cevert – 3rd in the World Championship, 26 points Tyrrell – Constructors' World Champion
Only a year after debuting the Tyrrell 001, Ken Tyrrell's team had reached the summit of Formula 1.
.jpg)
Success did not slow development. For 1972, Derek Gardner introduced an entirely new generation of Tyrrell chassis.
The Tyrrell 005 and later the Tyrrell 006 were designed around a philosophy of greater weight centralisation. The chassis was shorter, the bodywork more compact and the bluff nose was refined into a lower, more aerodynamic shape. Fuel cells were integrated into side pontoons while additional attention was given to brake cooling and cockpit ergonomics.
Development was not entirely straightforward. Early testing brought crashes and mechanical failures, delaying the progress of the new cars. As a result, the proven 002 and 003 continued to play important roles during the opening part of the season.
The 1972 season began strongly. Stewart won the opening race in Argentina, taking the lead on the first lap and controlling the Grand Prix from the front.
A second victory nearly followed in South Africa before gearbox failure ended an otherwise dominant performance.
Similar frustrations occurred in Spain and Monaco, where mechanical problems and difficult conditions prevented Tyrrell from converting speed into victories.
Jarama Monaco
Monaco South Africa
An additional challenge emerged when Stewart was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer, forcing him to miss the Belgian Grand Prix. During his absence, Cevert delivered an excellent drive to finish second and further strengthened his reputation within the paddock.
Stewart returned to win the French Grand Prix, benefiting from a measured and intelligent drive at Clermont-Ferrand. It was another reminder that he remained one of Formula 1's finest drivers. Patrick Depailler, Elf-protegé drove the Tyrrell 004 (DNF).
Despite Tyrrell's competitiveness, the team increasingly faced a formidable rival in Emerson Fittipaldi and the Lotus 72. Lotus combined speed, reliability and consistency, making the championship battle far more difficult than in 1971.
The middle part of the season proved frustrating for Tyrrell. Mechanical problems, accidents and development challenges limited the effectiveness of the new 005. At Brands Hatch, Austria and Italy, the team struggled to achieve the results expected from the reigning world champions.In the German GP, Stewart crashed out after a coming togther with the Ferrari of Regazzoni. Alos for Cevert, results were poor.
Brands Hatch Nurburgring - below: Clermont Ferrand
Tyrrell finished the season strongly. In Canada, Stewart mastered the new 005 and claimed his 21st Grand Prix victory. At Watkins Glen, the team celebrated a dominant one-two finish, underlining that it remained one of Formula 1's elite teams. In the USA GP, Depailler was again active in the 004. He finished the race in P17.
Although neither Stewart nor Tyrrell could successfully defend their world titles, the season still demonstrated the strength of the organisation and the continued progress of François Cevert.
Jackie Stewart – 2nd in the World Championship, 45 points François Cevert – 6th in the World Championship, 15 points Tyrrell – 2nd in the Constructors' Championship
The 1971 and 1972 seasons represented the golden rise of Tyrrell. From a small independent operation working from a former woodyard, the team developed into a Formula 1 World Champion. Stewart remained the team's leader, Cevert matured into a race winner, and Derek Gardner's innovative designs established Tyrrell as one of the defining teams of the early 1970s. The stage was now set for an even greater title challenge in 1973.
You can find more information on Patrick Depailler or Francois Cevert on this website.
