1973 United States Grand Prix

Ronnie Peterson led the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen from start to finish in his John Player Lotus, clinching the World Constructor’s title for Cohn Chapman’s marque for the second successive year, even though the driver’s title has already been won by Jackie Stewart. Peterson’s main opposition in the race came from Lord Hesketh’s privately owned March 731 driven by British driver James Hunt, who finished less than a second behind the Lotus after 59 laps’ racing. On the right, Denny Hulme’s McLaren M23 chases Carlos Reutemann’s Brabham BT42; they finished third and fourth respectively. Below we show a side view of the Hesketh March which novice Hunt has driven to eighth place in the World Drivers’ Championship after competing in just eight of the fifteen qualifying rounds.

Driving his third different make of Grand Prix car this year, Jacky Ickx handled one of the Frank Williams’ cars at Watkins Glen. He missed the first day of practice, and qualified near the back of the grid, but got going quite well in the race and climbed to seventh overall. The car was originally scheduled to be driven by Tom BeIso, but the Dane flew back to Europe having not driven the car at all in America.

Peter Revson had a troubled time in his home Grand Prix at the wheel of the Yardley McLaren M23 (above left). On the grid he felt his clutch go solid, and he was in neutral when the flag fell. Fortunately everyone avoided him, he jammed the car into gear and set off in pursuit. Driving without a clutch he worked his way back to fifth place at the end, just behind Denny Hulme. The singleton Ferrari was out of luck again, Arturo Merzario spinning when its rear aerofoil collapsed. He later stopped to have a fresh nose section without a wing put on the car, to combat the oversteer (above right). After a successful season driving Formula 5000 cars in North America, Brian Redman was invited to drive the third UOP Shadow in the United States Grand Prix. Unfortunately he stopped at the first corner with jammed throttle slides and, although he later rejoined the race, was disqualified for receiving outside assistance. John Watson (bottom right) replaced Stommelen in the third works Brabham, but suffered many practice problems and then retired with engine trouble early in the race.