80th, Stewart Triumphs, Amon's Heroic Charge in a Race of Stones
“Bravo Stewart, but thank you Mr Amon,” read a French newspaper headline the following day. Matra had won Le Mans in June, and now it had pulled out the stops to conquer the French Grand Prix, too.
Its driver certainly delivered the performance required – only for his infamous bad luck to rob him once again.
Then again, the puncture that cost Amon the race did lead to a fabulous, charging comeback. The Kiwi had been imperious around one of the last great road racing circuits and in many ways it was a performance that would define the career of a Grand Prix great – and a man destined never to win a World Championship race.
It must be said, Jackie Stewart’s victory shouldn’t be forgotten, given that Clermont-Ferrand marked his return to the cockpit following treatment for the ulcer that had forced him to miss six weeks of the 1972 season. But in truth, this race was all about Amon.