Emerson Fittipaldi finished 2nd in the 1973 Canadian Grand Prix and would likely have won were it not for the pace car mistakenly giving winner Peter Revson a half-lap advantage. Photo: courtesy of the Ford Image Library, the Ian Catt Collection and William Taylor
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72 in ’73

Going into the new season, they looked to be in a strong position. Their car was the fastest in the field, they had two front-line drivers – one the reigning Champion and the other more than capable of winning races given the opportunity. What could possibly stop them continuing where they had left off the previous year?

1973 Austrian Grand Prix. Emerson Fittipaldi stands stunned as his Lotus 72 – and his chances for back-to-back champioships – are extinguished by fire marshalls.
Photo: courtesy of the Ford Image Library, the Ian Catt Collection and William Taylor

Does all this sound familiar? In fact, it was 30 years ago in 1973, not 2003; the team was John Player Team Lotus not Ferrari; and the car was the Lotus 72 not whatever weird alphanumeric combination the boys from Maranello have come up with this time…

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Steve Natale has been playing with cars ever since he was old enough to first hold a matchbox car in his hand. A lifelong enthusiast of anything old with an engine in it or wheels on it, Steve has been active in the hobby for over 35 years. Currently he owns a successful marketing company with his wife Mary, is an automotive photographer, blogger and writer for several automotive magazines and regular contributor to various automotive websites. Steve has attended vintage car events and visited car museums and collections around the world.
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