Andretti and Luada duel for the championship, neither win the race.
Andretti and Lauda started the race tied for first place in the championship with 51 points each. They started in the first row with Lauda on pole and Ashley between them. Nilson, Lombardi, and Regazonni filled out the second row. The two McLarens were in sole position of the last row.
Lauda help the lead going down the Front and Back straights. Andretti caught and passed him going through the Speed Trap and Fast Bend and was first out of the 90 Hard Right and earned the 1st lap bonus point.
Meanwhile, Hunt bludgeoned his way forward from the back of the pack and into 4th. Lotus’ second driver worked with Andretti securing 3rd place going into the second lap.
During the second lap the Andretti and Lauda battle continued with them racing side by side down the Front and Back straights. Andretti took the lead again going into and through the Speed Trap and Fast Bend. Lauda began to falter. On the other hand Ferrari’s second car, driven by Regazzoni, looked stronger and it slipped past Hunt.
At the beginning of the third lap, Andretti held the lead with Mass in the other Lotus right behind him. Lauda and changed position with Regazzoni. For the rest of the race Regazzoni faced off against the two Lotus drivers while Lauda fought Hunt for fourth.
Regazzoni passed Mass and Andretti going through the Speed Trap to take the lead and won against Andretti in a photo finish. At the same time, Hunt beat Lauda in a photo finish for 4th place.
Andretti didn’t win the race, but he took the points lead in the championship with one race to go in the season.
Race results follow:
1st Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 40/40/40/160/5 N 2nd Tom V. (M. Andretti) 60/40/40/140/6 W** 3rd Tom V. (G. Nilsson) 60/20/40/140/6 W 4th Steve K. (J. Hunt) 40/40/40/160/6 S 5th Den H. (N. Lauda) 80/40/40/140/5 N 6th Steve K. (J. Mass) 40/40/40/160/5 S 7th Ray R. (I. Ashley) 60/40/40/140/6 S 8th Ray R. (L. Lombardi) 40/40/40/140/6 S
Please join us for the Japanese GP at Fuji on 2 September 2026.
Four teams sought victory at this year’s British Grand Prix. Team Lotus filled out the front row with Andretti on pole and Nilsson next to him. Ferrari and McLaren’s top drivers secured the second row followed by BRM’s sole driver and McLaren’s number two. Ferrari driver Regazzoni was the last man on the grid.
The Lotus drivers rocketed off the start finish line with Lauda in hot pursuit. Hunt began experiencing engine problems that would haunt him all day. Regazzoni skidded at the start. Ashely drove aggressively to lock-in 4th.
Throughout the first lap, team Lotus formed a wall that the Ferrari driver could not overcome. Andretti earned the first lap point.
During the second lap, Andretti damaged his engine, but Team Lotus persevered, driving in tandem and sharing their slipstream. Hunt’s McLaren gave up the ghost ending his day. The broken McLaren was unceremoniously towed into the pits. Reggezoni spun while avoiding a collision twice during the race. Nilsson grabbed the second lap point.
Team Lotus dominated the last and final lap. Nilsson won the race. Lauda could not get past Andretti and finished 3rd. The BRM driver was not far behind in 4th. Race details follow:
1st Tom V. (G. Nilsson) 60/40/40/140/5 W* 2nd Tom V. (M. Andretti) 60/40/40/140/6 W* 3rd Den H. (N. Lauda) 60/40/40/140/6 W 4th Ray R. (I. Ashley) 60/40/40/140/6 S 5th Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 40/40/40/140/6 S 6th Steve K. (J. Mass) 60/40/40/140/5 S DNF-E Steve K. (J. Hunt) 60/40/40/140/6 S
British Team’s American Driver Continues Winning Streak at Monaco
The grid at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix was populated with eight teams. McLaren and Willams secured the number and two grid positions. Lotus driver Andretti was in the second row with Penski’s Watson followed by BRM’s Ashely and Ferrari’s Lauda. Hoffman in the Fittapaldi and Laffite in the Ligier filled out the final grid row.
Hunt and Ickx pounced off the starting line and battled for the lead. Watson spun at Hotel Loews and opened the door for Ashely to take a short lived lead. Lauda began to move through the pack.
Ickx shot through the tunnel taking back the lead. Andretti accelerated though the tunnel and down the straight pulling Lauda in his slipstream and challenging the leaders. As Andretti seized the lead Hunt pulled up behind him. Ickx began having break issues and began to falter. Andretti earned the first lap point.
During the second lap Andretti held the lead and grew it extensively and easily taking the second lap point. Hunt maintained second position. Luada and Ickx battled for third place. Watson failed to recover his pre-spin position.
The final lap saw Andretti build an insurmountable lead resulting in him winning the race practically unchallenged. Hunt and Lauda consolidated their podium positions, 2nd and 3rd place. The rest of the field expended wear point to hold or advance their positions in a lively backfield race to the finish.
Race details follow:
1st Tom V. (M. Andretti) 60/40/40/140/6 W** 2nd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 80/40/40/140/5 S 3rd Den H. (N. Lauda) 60/60/40/140/5 S 4th John H. (I. Hoffman) 40/40/40/160/6 S 5th Tori P. (J. Ickx) 80/60/40/140/4 S 6th Ray R. (I. Ashley) 60/40/20/160/6 S 7th Ray G. (J. Watson) 60/40/40/160/6 S 8th Dave M. (Ligier) 40/60/60/140/5 S
Three teams competed in this year’s race at Zolder including Lotus, McLaren and Ferrari. J. Hunt held the pole position on the grid and M. Andretti accompanied him on the first row. N. Lauda and G. Nilson started in the second row followed by J. Mass and C. Regazzoni.
Hunt dominated the first lap while Andretti and Lauda battled for second.
Hunt earned the first lap bonus point, held the lead throughout the second lap and secured the second lap bonus point as well. Andretti broke away from Lauda and began a run on the leader.
During the last lap, Andretti pressed Hunt. Then Hunt pushed his luck too far and spun out in the last corner seceding victory to Andretti. Hunt returned to the track and managed to take second place. Lauda and Regazzoni, the two Ferrari drivers, finished third and fourth. Nilsson’s engine failed and he did not finish the race.
Race details follow:
1st Tom V. (M. Andretti) 60/40/40/140/6 W* 2nd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 80/40/40/140/5 S* 3rd Den H. (N. Lauda) 60/60/40/140/5 S 4th Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 40/60/40/140/5 S 5th Steve K. (J. Mass) 60/40/40/140/5 S DNF-E Tom V. (G. Nilsson) 60/40/40/140/6 W
American Driver Dominated South African Grand Prix
Five teams competed in this years race at Kyalami. Hunt started on the pole next to Andretti. Lauda and Nilsson occupied the second row followed by Watson and Mass. Regazzoni and Hoffmann filled in the final row.
Hunt and Andretti battled for the top position for most of the first lap with Andretti finally pulling ahead. Watson attempted to move through the pack, but spun at Sunset bend. Lauda began a battle with Hunt for second place. Andretti already built a substantial lead by the end of first lap.
During the second lap, Lauda pulled away from Hunt and made a run on Andretti, but Andretti maintained a strong lead. Hoffmann began to move up from the back. Reggazoni moved through the pack, but then made a mistake that would cost him dearly during the next lap.
Andretti held an untouchable lead during the third and final lap. Team Ferrari looked spent and Regazonni slipped back while Lauda struggled against Hunt to hold second. Watson began to move through the pack to challenge Hoffmann.
Andretti won the race! Hunt beat Lauda in a drag race down the front straight to take second. Hoffman crossed the start finish line just ahead of Watson to secure 4th place.
Race details follow:
1st Tom V. (M. Andretti) 80/20/40/140/6 W** 2nd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 80/40/20/160/5 S 3rd Den H. (N. Lauda) 80/40/20/160/5 S 4th John H. (I. Hoffmann) 40/40/40/160/6 S 5th Ray G. (J. Watson) 60/40/40/160/6 S 6th Tom V. (G. Nilsson) 60/20/40/140/6 W 7th Steve K. (J. Mass) 60/40/20/160/5 S 8th Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 60/40/20/160/5 S
Five teams showed for this years British Grand Prix at Steve’s marvelous rendition of the Silverstone circuit. Team managers chose only to run one car resulting in a sparse field of competitors.
Peterson started on pole with Lauda beside him. Hunt and Walker shared the second row with Scheckter in the dark blue Tyrrell Elf behind them. Peterson bolted off the starting line and never looked back. Hunt, in the white Hesketh, passed Lauda, in the Red Ferrari and shadowed Peterson Black and Gold Lotus throughout the first lap.
During the second lap, Lauda made a failed run on Peterson and was passed by Walker as Hunt slipped back to fourth. Peterson remained untouchable.
The last lap saw Peterson extend his lead while Lauda, Hunt, and Walker fought for second place. Peterson easily claimed the win. Walker was victor of the, sometimes 3-wide, battle for second place. Lauda beat Hunt in a drag race down the front straight to place third. Race details follow:
1st Tom V. (R. Peterson) 80/20/40/140/6 W** 2nd Ray G. (D. Walker) 60/40/40/140/6 S 3rd Den H. (N. Lauda) 60/40/40/140/6 S 4th Steve K. (J. Hunt) 60/40/20/160/6 S 5th Chuck H. (J. Scheckter) 60/40/40/140/6 S
Nine teams attended our first race at Steve’s masterful version of Zolder, the Belgium Grand Prix circuit. Fittapaldi held the pole position in a McLaren sharing the front row with Walker in the Maki. Ferrari and Lotus occupied the second row followed by teams Hesketh and Parnelli. Fourth row tenants included Brambilla in the very orange March and Evans in the brightly colored BRM. Reutemann, in the fabulous Brabham was the sole occupant of the last row.
Fittapaldi drove aggressively and maintained the lead throughout the first lap earning a bonus point. Walker, Peterson, and Lauda pressed Fittapaldi but could not pass him. At the end of the first lap, Hunt and Peterson were neck and neck going down the front straight. Foreshadowing the second lap.
During the second lap, Fittapaldi lost his position to Walker and then regained it only to lose it to Peterson. By lap’s end, Walker had slipped back to fourth and Lauda to fifth.
Peterson dominated the last lap. Fittipaldi battled Peterson for the lead, but his McLaren ran out of steam and he fell back. Lauda started in fifth at the beginning of the lap and made a valiant run on Peterson, but he exhausted his Ferrari and could not maintain the pace. Hunt tried next, but he too could not catch Peterson. Peterson finished first. Hunt won a drag race against Lauda to take 2nd. Meanwhile Brambilla, who had started the lap in 8th place, battled through the pack to finish 4th. Race details follow:
1st Tom V. (R. Peterson) 60/40/40/140/6 W* 2nd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 60/40/20/160/6 S 3rd Den H. (N. Lauda) 80/40/40/140/5 S 4th Dave K. (V. Brambilla) 40/60/40/160/5 S 5th Ray G. (D. Walker) 60/40/40/140/6 S 6th John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 80/40/20/140/6 S* 7th Ray R. (B. Evans) 40/60/40/160/5 S 8th Dave M. (C. Reutemann) 40/40/40/160/6 S 9th A.J. (M. Andretti) 60/40/40/160/5 S
Nine teams completed in the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. Ferrari and Surtees started in the first row followed by Elf Tyrrell and BRM. Embassy made its debut in the third row accompanied by McLaren. Shadow and Hesketh shared the fourth row. Brabham was alone in the fifth row.
Pace took and early lead followed closely by Lauda. Hill stalled on the start and fell behind. Fittipaldi launched his McLaren into 3rd place.
The Ferrari and the Surtees raced side-by-side for most of the 1st lap, but Pace in the Surtees held the lead. The rest of the field formed a conga line through the Esses.
Pace complete the lap first and picked up a bonus point. Beltoise catapulted his BRM into 3rd place and pressured Lauda. Hunt nursed his ailing Hesketh and fell back.
Beltoise slipped into 2nd, but Lauda soon recaptured the position. McLaren and Shadow fought for 4th.
While extending his lead, Pace completed the 2nd lap and gained another bonus point. Lauda pushed his Ferrari trying to close the gap between him and Pace. Revson, Scheckter, and Reutermann raced 3-wide down the front straight.
During the 3rd and final lap Fittipaldi spun twice and lost his position. Lauda caught up to Pace and they raced side-by-side through the Esses, the Bend and down the front straight. Although his was out of wear, Lauda charged through the kink at 140mph and crossed the finish line first for a photo finish win.
Beltoise the rest of the pack to take 3rd place. Reuterman, Revson, and Scheckter once again raced three wide down the front straight. Scheckter skid going through the kink. Revson finish fourth beside Reutermann. Race details follow:
1st Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 80/40/20/160/5 S 2nd Tom V. (C. Pace) 80/20/40/140/6 W** 3rd Ray R. (J-P. Beltoise) 60/40/40/160/5 S 4th Tori P. (P. Revson) 40/40/60/160/5 S 5th Dave M. (Reutermann) 40/60/60/140/5 S 6th Mike C. (G. Hill) 60/40/40/160/5 N 7th Chuck H. (J. Scheckter) 60/40/20/160/6 N 8th AJ H. (E. Fittipaldi) 80/40/40/140/5 S 9th Steve K. (J. Hunt) 60/40/40/160/5 S
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.
Team McLaren dominates the starting grid at Monza!
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.
Team Tyrell Challenges the McLarens through the Lesmos.
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.
Can the besieged McLarens hold on?
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.
Positions at the end of the first lap at Monza.
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.
Regazzoni breaks through the pack at the Lesmos.Regazzoni joins Ickx.Ferrari dismantles the Tyrell tandem.
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.
Lat lap into the Lesmos.
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.
Leaders line up for the final corner.
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.
Stewart spins in the final corner of the last lap at Monza!
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.
One – Two victory for Ferrari!
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.
Gethin crashes in the final corner of the last lap at Monza.
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!
I completed design on and started 3D printing the cars for our 2021 Speed Circuit season. The cars are inspired by the vehicles raced in the 1971 Formula 1 season including the Brabham BT34, BRM P160, Ferrari 312B2, Lotus 72C, March 711, Matra MS120B, McLaren M19A, Surtees TS9B, Tyrrell.
I designed the cars in Blender v2.83.4, a free program, and sliced them in Cura v4.7. I’m printing the cars on a Creality Ender 3 with a .2mm nozzle set at .08mm layer height. You may find photos of the completed prints in a later article.
