Ferrari’s Folly Lead to a Lotus Victory
Eight teams met in South Africa for this years race at Kyalami fielding 8 cars. Lotus driver Peterson sat on the pole and shared the first row with Ferrari’s Lauda. Walker and Fittapaldi followed in the second row. Andretti and Evans occupied the third row. The final row was held by an anxious Hunt in the #24 Hesketh and Reutemann in the #7 Brabham.
Peterson jumped off the startline and held an early lead. Lauda pursued followed closely by Evans in the blue #35 Maki. The Brabham moved from the last position heading for the front.
Lauda spurred his Ferrari and passed Peterson taking the lead and earning a bonus point for being the first to finish lap one. Andretti and Reutemann increased pressure on Walker in a tense battle for third place.
Lauda pushed the Ferrari in an uncharacteristically reckless manner and the abused vehicle began to falter. Peterson took advantage of Lauda’s negligence to re-capture the lead and gain the second lap’s bonus point. After winning the battle for third, Andretti set his sights on Lauda. Hunt began moving up.
The third and final lap was dominated by Peterson in the Lotus. Lauda failed to fend off Andretti and Hunt. Hunt raced down the front straight ahead of Andretti to secure second place.
Race details follow:
1st Tom V. (J. Ickx) 80/20/40/140/6 W*
2nd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 40/40/40/160/6 S
3rd A.J. (M. Andretti) 60/40/40/160/5 S
4th Den H. (N. Lauda) 80/40/20/160/5 S **
5th John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 40/40/40/160/6 S
6th Dave M. (C. Reutemann) 40/60/40/160/5 S
7th Ray R. (B. Evans) 40/60/60/140/6 S
8th Ray G. (D. Walker) 60/40/40/160/5 S