Team Surtees Dominated the Streets of Monaco!
Five teams and a total of ten drivers participated in this season’s Monaco Grand Prix. Teams Surtees and Ferrari occupied the first two rows of the grid and they battled ferociously throughout the race. Scheckter and Edwards started on the third row followed by Beltoise and G. Hill. Pescarolo and Hunt filled out the last row.
Lauda got to the inside of Mass, but he could not hold the lead position and he was soon passed by both Mass and Pace. Pace took the lead from his teammate Mass. Mass stayed behind Pace on the straights and slip streamed him throughout the race. Scheckter put pressure on the Regazzoni.
Luada tried to breakup the Surtees drivers, but he kept getting forced off the racing line. Hunt developed engine trouble and quickly fell out of contention.
Scheckter and G. Hill passed Regazzoni. Team Surtees began to extend their lead. Pace was first across the start finish line for the first lap.
Team Surtees maintained their lead. G. Hill slipped by Lauda and into 3rd.
Pace and Mass gained an insurmountable lead through the tunnel. Lauda and G. Hill battled for third place.
Regazzoni blundered, mis-shifted, and lost two positions. Scheckter spun-out in Virage De La Rascasse. Pace finished first followed by Mass. Lauda managed to get around G. Hill to finish third. Congratulations to Team Surtees’ manager Tom V.!
Race details follow.
1st Tom V. (C. Pace) 40/60/40/160/5 S*
2nd Tom V. (J. Mass) 60/40/40/140/5 S
3rd Den H. (C. N. Lauda) 60/60/20/160/5 S
4th Mike C. (G. Hill) 40/60/60/140/5 N
5th Ray R. (J-P. Beltoise) 40/60/60/140/5 S
6th Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 60/40/40/160/4 N
7th Steve K. (I. Scheckter) 40/40/40/160/5 S
8th Mike C. (Edwards) 40/60/60/140/4 N
9th Ray R. (H. Pescarolo) 40/40/60/140/5 S
10th Steve K. (J. Hunt) 40/40/40/160/6 S
Next race is scheduled for 19 June 2024 at Brands Hatch. See you all at the race.