A Frenchman Seizes the French Grand Prix.
Stewart who was suffering from a stomach virus was not able to attend the race and his teammateCevert had to fill the top spot at Elf Tyrrell. Rookie manager Dave K. took charge of Team Surtees.
Fittipaldi put his #1 black Lotus on pole. Cevert shared the front row with Fittapaldi. Shadow and Brabham occupied the second row. Pace made his season debut in the Surtees and shared the 3rd row with a very eager James Hunt.
Fittipaldi held on to the lead at the start of the race. Cevert pressured Fittapaldi. Hunt gained two positions early on.
Cevert made a bold move to pass Fittapaldi in the corner before the front straight and crossed the finish line ahead of him to end the first lap.
During the second lap, Cevert tried to pull further ahead, but Fittapaldi stayed close behind. Reutmann also kept Hunt at bay.
Cevert started the third and final lap in the lead. Oliver built momentum, but then spun his Shadow in the Courve du Calvaire dashing his hopes for the race. Pace took advantage of Oliver’s misfortune and passed him. Then Fittapaldi spun in the Virage de la Hovette falling out of the second position.
Cevert held the lead until the end claiming his first victory of the season. Hunt defeated Reutmann’s defense and took second place. Reutmann shared the podium in the third spot. Oliver and Pace had a drag race down the front straight with Pace coming out on top.
Race details follow:
1st Den (F. Cevert) 80/40/20/160/5 W**
2nd Steve (J. Hunt) 60/60/40/180/4 S
3rd Terry (C. Reutemann) 80/40/40/160/4 S
4th John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 80/40/40/160/4 S
5th Dave K. (C. Pace) 40/60/40/160/5 W
6th AJ (J. Oliver) 60/40/40/180/4 S
Note: this was the first recorded win for a weak down-force setup car.