Stewart dominated the South African Grand Prix.
Nine teams populated the Kyalami grid. Stewart in Tyrrell (#3) held the pole position and shared the front row with Hulme in the McLaren (#5), and Amon in the Martini Techno (#17). The second row featured Ickx in the Ferrari (#7), Oliver in the Shadow (#21), and Reutmann in the Brabham (#16). Beltoise in the Marlboro BRM (#13), Fittapaldi in the JPL Lotus (#1), and Hunt in the Hesketh March (#24) secured that third and final row.
The front row cars dashed off the start finish line closely followed by the Ferrari. Meanwhile, Oliver mis-shifted and spun the Shadow’s tires resulting in a poor start. The field squeezed though Crowthorne Corner and into the narrow part of the track. Amon took the lead, but lost monentum and was passed by several drivers. Fittapaldi meticulously maneuvered his Lotus through the pack and found himself beside Hulme going through Clubhouse Bend just behind Stewart the leader.
Some of the vehicles were already showing signs of stress. The BRMs brakes were malfunctioning and the Ferrari’s engine was losing power. The field was expending a large amount of were points.
Hulme and Fittapaldi were putting a great deal of pressure on Stewart. Then, Fittapaldi spun in the Esses. Stewart managed to exit the Leeukop ahead of the field gaining a substantial lead. The McLaren, Martini, and Ferrari were next out of the corner and in hot pursuit of Stewart.
Stewart maintained the lead. Hulme and Amon jockeyed for second while trying to close the gap on Stewart. Ickx, in his wounded Ferrari, struggled to stay with the leaders. Hunt, who had started in last place, began to make some progress.
Hulme pushed a little to hard and spun his McLaren in the Esses. Stewart capitalized on the disruption in the field to charge out of Leeukop Bend and extend his lead once again.
Stewart looked untouchable and unless he made a dire mistake he would win the race. The competition for position in the field escalated. Reutmann, Fittapaldi, and Amon went three wide down the front straight battling for second position. Fittapaldi seized second closely followed by Amon through Barbeque Bend. Reutmann fell back and fought Ickx fourth.
Stewart did not make a mistake and smoothly drove the Tyrrell to victory, but the race was not yet over. Amon got around Fittapaldi and secured second place. Hunt successfully executed a series of daring maneuvers through the Esses, Leekop Bend, and the Kink to blast through the field and take third place. He was closely followed by Hulme in the McLaren.
Race finish details follow:
1st Den (J. Stewart) 80/40/20/160/5 S**
2nd Dave M. (C. Amon) 80/40/20/160/5 S
3rd Steve (J. Hunt) 60/40/40/160/5 S
4th Ray G. (D. Hulme) 80/40/40/140/5 S
5th Stephen L. (J. Ickx) 60/40/40/160/5 (Eng Dam)
6th John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 40/40/40/160/6 S
7th AJ (J. Oliver) 60/40/40/160/5 S
8th Terry (C. Reutemann) 60/40/40/160/5
9th 5th Ray R. (Beltoise) 60/40/40/160/5 (Brake Dam)
Next race is scheduled at Monjuic in March 2023.