McLaren Owned the Starting Grid But Ferrari Owned the Race
McLaren driver’s held pole and 3rd positions dominating the first row of the starting grid at this year’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Brabham’s D. Hulme accompanied the McLarens on the first row. All cars in the first row were configured with weak downforce and setup to go fast on the straits. Meanwhile, the championship leader, J. Stewart, was all the way back on the inside of row 4. Team BRM, led by veteran manager Dan, made its first showing of the season.
At the Curva Grande the weak downforce cars displayed cornering instability. Team Tryell was first to capitalize on the McLaren’s weakness. Cevert took the lead heading out of the Lesmos and Stewart moved from 10th to 3rd.
Cevert and Stewart worked in tandem and Stewart slipped into the lead. BRM and Ferrari pressed McLaren out of the Parabolica. The McLarens were fast on the straights, but to slow in the corners and ultimately outclassed by the strong downforce cars.
Ickx slipped past the McLarens and held a position behind the Tyrells as they passed the line to begin the second lap. The Tyrells had spent 2/3 of their skill points in the first lap and this would negatively impact the team’s tactics for the rest of the race. The McLarens also suffered from bad luck.
While Ickx maintained his position behind Cevert, his team mate, Regazzoni quietly maneuvered through the pack. The Ferraris linked up down the back stretch and eventually disrupted the Tyrells.
Breaking up the Tyrell tandem proved critical to Ferrari’s success. Stewart once again crossed the finish line first, but Cevert fell back and Stewart battled against team Ferrari on his own with 1 skill point and just enough wear to make it through the last lap. BRM, Brabham and McLaren had battle ferociously during the second lap and were nearly spend as well.
Regazonni used his teammate to slingshot past Stewart going down the back straight. Ickx got the inside position on Stewart going into the Parabolica. The Ferraris were first through the Parabolica and Stewart slip-streamed Regezonni to pull up along side the Ferraris. The leaders were three wide heading into the final corner of the race.
Stewart should have won the race on the following turn. but he made a critical tactical error. The Ferraris went 160mph through the 120mph corner section and occupied the two outside lanes just past the corner blocking use of the 120mph section. If Stewart had gone 140mph he could have safely navigated the 100mph section, taken the inside space next to the Ferraris, and gone 180mph during the next turn crossing the finish line ahead of the Ferraris and won, but instead he plotted 160mph. He still had an opportunity to late brake down to 140mph, but did not. Stewart attempted going 60mph over the limit through the 100mph section and rolled a 6 on the chance table. He used us last skill chip to avoid crashing and spunout blowing his opportunity for victory.
Ickx crossed the start finish line first and was followed by Regazzoni and Cevert. Stewart recovered from the spin and just barely beat Shenken across the finish line to take 4th place.
Then Githen suffered a horrific crash in the last corner. He survived, but may not be well enough to race in the next and final race of the season.
Race details follow:
1st Steve (J. Ickx) 60/60/20/180/4 S
2nd Steve (C. Regazzoni) 60/60/20/180/4 S
3rd Den (F. Cevert) 60/60/20/180/4 S
4th Den (J. Stewart) 60/60/20/180/4** S
5th Terry (T. Shenken) 60/40/40/160/5 S
6th Terry (G. Hill) 80/40/40/160/4 W
7th Travis (D.Hulme) 80/20/40/160/5 W
8th Dan (P. Rodriguez) 60/40/20/180/5
9th Ray R. (R. Peterson) 40/60/20/180/5
10th Dan (J. Siffert) 80/40/20/180/5
11th Ray R. (N. Galli) 60/40/40/160/6
CR5 Travis (P. Gethin) 60/20/40/160/6 W
Stewart is only three points ahead of Ickx in the championship. Hulme could make a comeback. Ferrari is leading the constructors competition. The final race at Watkins Glen is looking to be a nail-biter. Hope to see you at the race!