The 1973 Formula 1 season would become the most memorable in Tyrrell history. Jackie Stewart secured his third World Championship, François Cevert emerged as one of the sport's brightest talents, and Elf Team Tyrrell remained one of Formula 1's leading forces. Yet what should have been a season of celebration ended in heartbreak at Watkins Glen, bringing a sudden and emotional end to one of the greatest partnerships in Grand Prix racing.
Following a successful 1972 campaign, Tyrrell entered the new season with confidence. The proven Tyrrell 005 and 006 chassis had demonstrated their competitiveness, while Derek Gardner was preparing an updated version, the Tyrrell 006/2, for the start of the European races.
Although the Tyrrell 006 had already proved itself as one of the best Formula 1 cars of 1972, Derek Gardner was not prepared to stand still. For the 1973 season he introduced an updated version, known as the Tyrrell 006/2, which became the team's principal chassis during the European campaign.
The 006/2 was not a completely new design but a refined evolution of the successful 006. Gardner concentrated on reducing weight, improving rigidity and refining the aerodynamics. The revised chassis featured a lighter monocoque and numerous detail changes aimed at increasing reliability and ease of maintenance. Suspension geometry was further developed to improve handling characteristics on a wider variety of circuits.
Aerodynamic work continued throughout the season. Different nose configurations were tested while attention was paid to reducing drag and improving airflow around the car. Gardner also experimented with cooling arrangements and bodywork details in an effort to keep pace with the rapidly evolving Lotus 72.
The updated car immediately proved its worth. Stewart drove the 006/2 to victory in the non-championship International Trophy at Silverstone and used it throughout much of his successful title campaign. The chassis combined the strengths of the original Tyrrell design, balance, mechanical grip and predictable handling, with the refinements gained from two years of development.
By 1973, the Tyrrell was no longer the most radical Formula 1 car on the grid, but it remained one of the most effective. Its reliability and consistency allowed Stewart and Cevert to score regularly, helping Tyrrell challenge Lotus throughout the season and enabling Stewart to secure his third World Championship.
The driver line-up remained unchanged. Jackie Stewart, already a two-time World Champion, led the team, while François Cevert continued his development and was increasingly viewed as a future title contender.
The opening races showed that Tyrrell and Lotus would once again be the teams to beat.
In Argentina, Cevert produced an excellent start from the third row and briefly led the race. Together with Stewart, he formed a Tyrrell challenge against Clay Regazzoni's BRM, but neither driver could stop Emerson Fittipaldi's charging Lotus. Cevert finished second and Stewart third despite suffering a slow puncture.
The Brazilian Grand Prix highlighted one of the Tyrrell's weaknesses. On the rough and bumpy Interlagos circuit, the short-wheelbase cars struggled and Lotus dominated with a one-two finish.
GP Brasil GP South-Africa
The championship battle truly began in South Africa.
After a brake failure caused Stewart to crash heavily during practice, he borrowed Cevert's car and qualified only sixteenth. In one of the finest drives of his career, Stewart charged through the field and took a remarkable victory after just seven laps at the front.
Back in Europe, Stewart won the non-championship race at Silverstone in the new 006/2. Around the same period, he quietly informed Ken Tyrrell and Ford executive Walter Hayes of his decision to retire at the end of the season. For the rest of the paddock, the news remained a closely guarded secret.
Tyrrell's European campaign gathered momentum. At Montjuich, both Tyrrells had troubles with the brakes. Stewart retired, Cevert however finished second.
At Zolder, Stewart secured victory while Cevert finished second, giving the team its first one-two finish of the year.
GP Spain Montjuich
GP Belgium - Zolder
GP Monaco
Monaco provided another highlight. Stewart claimed pole position and survived pressure from Fittipaldi to secure his third victory in the principality. The win moved him into the championship lead. Cevert, who was lapped by Stewart, stayed behind him and took fourth.
Further strong results followed during the summer. Stewart finished fourth in France before the championship battle intensified during the British and Dutch Grands Prix. At Silverstone, a first-lap accident and a later driving error denied him valuable points, but at Zandvoort he responded perfectly.
When Ronnie Peterson retired while leading, Stewart inherited first place and led Tyrrell to a dominant one-two finish again. Cevert, who briefly had the opportunity to challenge for victory, chose not to attack his team leader.
The winning mood was overshadowed with the death of Roger Williamson. This tragedy demonstrated how far safety still had to go. Jackie was a heavy campaigner in that movement. By the end of the year, full-faced helmets and medical air supply had been introduced
Another one-two finish followed at the Nürburgring. It strengthened Tyrrell's position in both championships and underlined the effectiveness of the Stewart-Cevert partnership.
While Stewart chased a third world title, François Cevert continued his transformation from promising prospect into an established Grand Prix driver.
Throughout the season he regularly challenged the front-runners and finished on the podium several times. He showed impressive speed in Argentina, Belgium, France and Germany, often proving himself the equal of the leading drivers from Lotus, Ferrari and McLaren.
Within Tyrrell, there was little doubt that Cevert represented the future. Both Ken Tyrrell and Jackie Stewart had invested heavily in his development. Stewart acted as mentor, helping the Frenchman improve his racecraft and technical understanding.
By mid-season many observers believed Cevert was ready to become Tyrrell's number one driver once Stewart retired.
The title battle revolved around Stewart and reigning World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi.
At the Österreichring in Austria, the Lotus cars were clearly faster, but Stewart drove intelligently to finish second after Fittipaldi retired with a fuel-system problem. Every point brought the Scot closer to a third championship.
Monza produced one of Stewart's greatest recovery drives. A puncture forced him to pit early, dropping him to twentieth position. He fought back through the field to finish fourth and collect crucial championship points.
The result effectively secured the title. With Lotus unable to maximise its points haul, Jackie Stewart became Formula 1 World Champion for the third time, adding the 1973 crown to his earlier successes in 1969 and 1971.
A final victory in Canada did not materialise. Stewart endured an unusually difficult weekend, while Cevert heavily damaged his car in practice. The team also fielded Chris Amon in an experimental Tyrrell 005 featuring Lotus-style wedge bodywork and side-mounted radiators (see photo below)
The championship was already won, but the season still had one more race to run.
The United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen was meant to be a celebration.
It would be Jackie Stewart's one hundredth Formula 1 World Championship start and his final race before retirement. Tyrrell's management knew of the decision, but it had not yet been announced publicly.
The plan for the weekend was simple. If possible, Stewart would help Cevert secure victory, a fitting reward for the driver expected to lead Tyrrell into the future.
That future disappeared on Saturday morning.
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During qualifying, Cevert suffered a devastating accident in the Esses section of the circuit. Stewart arrived at the scene and immediately realised that his friend and team-mate had not survived.
He slowly returned to the pits and broke the tragic news to Ken Tyrrell.
The loss devastated the entire team. Francois had become far more than a driver. He was regarded as part of the Tyrrell family and the cornerstone of the team's future plans.
That evening, at the Glen Motor Inn, Stewart confirmed to his wife Helen that he would retire from Formula 1 immediately.
Elf Team Tyrrell withdrew both cars from the Grand Prix. Stewart's one hundredth start never took place.
The 1973 season delivered both the greatest success and the deepest sorrow in Tyrrell's history.
Jackie Stewart secured his third World Championship with 71 points and established himself as one of Formula 1's all-time greats. François Cevert was classified fourth in the championship despite missing the final race, while Tyrrell finished second in the Constructors' Championship behind Lotus.
As a farewell gift, Ken Tyrrell presented Stewart with the legendary Tyrrell 003, the car with which he had achieved some of his greatest successes.
Jackie Stewart – World Champion, 71 points François Cevert – 4th in the World Championship Tyrrell – 2nd in the Constructors' Championship, 82 points
The 1973 season marked the end of an era. Stewart retired at the top of the sport, Tyrrell lost the driver destined to lead its future, and Formula 1 lost one of its most gifted talents. More than fifty years later, 1973 remains a season remembered equally for championship glory and profound tragedy.
Race promotor Alex Blignaut had bought the 004 for local hero Eddie Keizan to race in the Lucky Strike livery during the South-African GP at Kyalami.
