Ferrari Takes Win and Series Constructor’s Cup While Tyrell Driver Wins Championship.
The season’s Driver and Constructor Championships were on the line at this years season finale at Watkins Glen. Stewart enter the race with a 3 point lead over Ickx. Both driver’s teams were battling for the first place with Ferrari holding a slim lead over Tyrell. Mclaren and Brabham did not show for the race creating opportunities for other teams to advance.
Lap 1: Pete Lovely started on pole position, but his weak downforce setup plagued him throughout the day and he quickly faded into the pack finishing 8th. Stewart took and early lead and captured the bonus point for the first lap.
Lap 2: Ferrari’s number 2 driver, Regazzoni, started in 5th, but skillfully maneuver around Lotus and Tyrell to take the lead going down the front straight during the second lap. Not to be out done, Lotus driver Fittapaldi passed Regazonni. Regazonni caught Fittapaldi in the last corner, past him, and earned the bonus point for the second lap.
Lotus makes a move and takes the lead coming out of the Chute on Lap 2.
Lap 3: Regazzoni built an insurmountable lead. Stewart got by Fittapaldi, but could not catch Regazzoni. Regazzoni won the race followed by Stewart and Reggazoni. The contender for the series title, Ickx, had started in 9th place, but finished in 4th. As a result of their efforts, Lotus jumped two slots in the constructors championship.
On a darker note, BRM driver Siffert crashed on the final lap. A speedy recovery is expected.
Race details follow:
| #5 Watkins Glen 3 Laps (3 Nov 2021) Turns = 29 Spaces = 2 avg speed = 141.37mph | 1st Steve (C. Regazzoni) 60/60/20/180/4* S 2nd Den (J. Stewart) 80/60/20/160/5* S 3rd John H. (E. Fittapaldi) 60/60/40/180/4 S 4th Steve (J. Ickx) 60/60/20/180/4 S 5th Den (F. Cevert) 60/60/20/160/4 S 6th John H. (R. Wisell) 60/40/40/160/4 S 7th Ray R. (R. Peterson) 40/60/20/140/6 S 8th Ray G. (P. Lovely) 80/40/40/140/6 W 9th Dan (P. Rodriguez) 60/40/20/180/5 10th Ray G. (J. Biden) 40/40/40/160/5 11th Ray R. (N. Galli) 40/60/40/140/5 S CR Dan (J. Siffert) 80/40/20/180/5 |