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Tyrrell drivers choice for 1974...


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#51 Tim Murray

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Posted 25 June 2018 - 17:10

Here's what Dave Ware posted in the other thread I linked to in post 37 above:
 

From Rob Walker's report on the '73 Canadian Grand Prix in the January 1974 issue of Road & Track:
 
"On the next lap Scheckter and Cevert were having a dice for 4th place and coming to the notorious turn 2: Jody was on the inside with Cevert slightly ahead and on the outside.  Jody failed to hold it on the inside and slid into Francois, who was on the right line.  The result was an almighty come-together in which the Tyrrell was a total writeoff and the McLaren badly damaged.  Cevert was so furious that in spite of two badly hurt ankles he chased after Scheckter to thump him, but a marshall separated them and it ended in a slanging match.  Afterward Francois said Jody was driving as if there were a war on. It is difficult to find out the pros and cons in an accident like this, but I questioned many people who saw it and I could not find any pros for Jody."
 
I probably haven't read this since, well, January of '74.  It's nice to see that my memory matches Rob Walker's investigations at the time.



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#52 GMiranda

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Posted 09 July 2020 - 18:49

I wrote an article about Stewart's succession at Tyrrell, based on all the contributions in this topic and other sources. I hope to translate this to English (it was for a Portuguese magazine) and with more sources and opinions later, so I'll post it here Google-Translated and, later, I'll publish the whole version:

 

The Jackie Stewart Succession

It is always difficult for a team to prepare for the succession of one of the best drivers in the world. Especially when that man is the true engine of the team. And one of the greatest examples was Tyrrell and Jackie Stewart, a long and fruitful partnership since the days of Formula 3, which reached Formula 1 with Matra in 1968 and produced two titles, in 1969 and 1971. And, to date, Stewart was the best driver in the world ...

 

The entire life of Ken Tyrrell's team in Formula 1 was centered on Jackie Stewart. After racing for “Uncle Ken” in Formula 3 and Formula 2, Stewart quickly demonstrated his enormous talent in Formula 1 with BRM and, in 1968, when Matra decided to enter Formula 1, supporting a factory team with Jean-Pierre Beltoise at the wheel, and the formation of Ken Tyrrell - who already used Cosworth DFV engines and enjoyed an excellent relationship with Ford sales director Walter Hayes - Stewart was an obvious choice to compete for the fledgling British team Matra International . We all know that the connection was very fruitful, with several successes in 1968 (and Jackie only did not fight for the World Cup because he was injured at the beginning of the season) and the first title in 1969. However, Matra was not interested in having two teams competing with different engines, and he wanted to promote his V12 engine in 1970, which forced Tyrrell to choose another chassis supplier, in this case, the newcomer March.

 

Although it was a partnership marked by many mechanical failures, derived from the youth of the team, it was a decisive year, because Ken Tyrrell was quick to understand that, to be successful in the Grand Circus, he would have to move forward to build his own chassis. With the support of French oil company Elf and Ford, and with a Stewart-style driver, Ken began building a car designed by Derek Gardner in the middle of the season, debuting it with some success in the last three rounds of the championship. By this time, one of the most promising French drivers and product of the famous Volant Elf school, Johnny Servoz-Gavin, who had taken over as the team's second driver in the early 1970s, had already retired after a car accident affected him his vision and, with his typical bon-vivant style, having considered that the pleasure of competing did not outweigh the inherent risks. To replace him, a new Elf driver, François Cevert, came on as one of the greatest promises in the history of French motor sport and had already stood out at the wheel of Alpine and Tecno in Formula 2. This driver quickly showed his qualities in the premier class, and immediately forged a huge friendship with Jackie Stewart, who was soon his mentor.

 

In this way, Stewart and Cevért forged one of the greatest pairs in the history of motor sport, with the Scotsman winning the 1971 title and Cevért growing a lot, winning his first - and unfortunately only - Grand Prix in the USA. Such luck was not repeated in 1972, as the new Tyrrell 003/004 was very difficult to tune and drive, and the Scottish driver was suffering the consequences of an extraordinarily intense 1971 season as, alongside Formula 1, he was also involved in the full season of the Can-Am championship, driving for the official Lola team supported by Carl Haas. Still in the first half of the season, Lotus, with the young star Emerson Fittipaldi, gained some advantage, taking advantage of the difficulty of driving the new Tyrrell chassis, and then Stewart was forced to stop competing for a few weeks due to a stomach ulcer that has developed as a result of the stress of the previous year. Thus, Lotus had an easy walk to the title, but at the end of the season the reaction of Stewart and Cevért with the new 006 was evident.

 

Thus, it was expected a fight without quarter between Fittipaldi and Stewart during the 1973 season, whose first half of the season was marked by an increasing balance. And suddenly, Jackie Stewart told Ken Tyrrell and Walter Hayes that he planned to leave motor sport for good ...

 

 

The succession crisis:

Everyone knows the enormous importance of Jackie Stewart's campaigns in the fight for better safety conditions in Formula 1. In fact, he and the failed Jo Bonnier were the true champions in this field, when the tracks were still surrounded by trees and bales of straw, and not infrequently one in three drivers who started the F1 season died before the end of the season. All this struggle, coupled with the death of several friends, had convinced Stewart to withdraw, since he was 33 years old and could say goodbye in glory with his third title. Of course, nowadays, we are used to seeing the drivers, especially the big names, competing in Formula 1 until the age of 30 and many, but at that time, reaching thirty alive or without major injuries was something rare, so Stewart's choice was perfectly understandable. In addition, his wife Helen had been marked by the death of her husband's rival and friend, Jochen Rindt, at G.P. 1970s Italy, and asked Stewart to leave the competition. Thus, in the spring of 1973, Stewart confessed to Ken Tyrrell w Walter Hayes his final decision. Everyone woke up and didn't tell Helen anything, lest she suffer from the countdown to her husband's career, and the decision was not communicated to François Cevert either.

 

It was, therefore, with this secret kept under lock and key, that the Scotsman continued the assault on the 1973 title and, in the second half of the season, the Tyrrell gradually overcame the Lotus 72 of Fittipaldi and Peterson, also benefiting from some rivalry between the two young stars of Colin Chapman's formation, while Cevért, clearly a mature driver, never dared to openly challenge his mentor. So strong was the friendship between teacher and student between Stewart and Cevert that the Scotsman would come to say that, at the German Grand Prix, Cevert, who ran in second, was much stronger than he and could have passed him at any time, while the Frenchman claimed that his master was by far the best in the world and therefore deserved to win. However, in Stewart's mind, Cevert was his worthy successor - something that many doubt because the man known to women for his good-looking air and glowing blue eyes had only won one race yet - but Stewart and Ken Tyrrell were already more than convinced, and there are no better people to say that than who was really there.

 

Thus, Cevert would be the first driver of the team in 1974, while several names were being pointed to the second car. Roger Williamson, the fabulous English shooting star backed by real estate entrepreneur and future Donington Park owner Tom Wheatcroft, was one of them, but the young Brit had not yet competed in a Formula 1 race - would make his debut at G.P. of England that year - and Wheatcroft, who had developed a genuine friendship with the driver, planned to buy a chassis and two engines, at least, to assemble a private team for the young driver to win a F1 race in 1974. And probably Ken Tyrrell will thought it would be a bet on a pilot too young. Another hypothesis was Frenchman Patrick Depailler. Along with Beltoise, he had come from the motorbikes and was soon switched to cars, although the connection to Elf and Alpine had greatly delayed his progression from Formula 3 to Formula 2. However, in 1972, he was invited to compete in some races for Ken Tyrrell with the third car of the team and was already a star in F2, known for his enormous talent and technical skills and the development of a single car. Supported by Elf, Tyrrell's main sponsor, it was probably the most obvious choice. The third name mentioned was that of Scotsman Gerry Birrell, an outstanding tourism driver - one of the best in the world in that (very) underestimated discipline - who had already shone in Formula 2, always behind the wheel of small teams, having signed for Chevron in 1973 Despite being around 30 years old, Birrell was an extremely talented and versatile driver, and was supported by Ford, being widely recommended by the blue oval brand. Now, as has already been said, Ford and Cosworth were one of the main pillars of Ockham's team, and they would certainly have a say in the new driver.

 

Whether there were more names in sight, more experienced men in F1 or not, I can't say. What is known is that destiny quickly took care of eliminating two of these names. Within a few weeks, Roger Williamson died in a tetrically contoured accident at G.P. from Holland in Zandvoort, and Birrell also died in a no less chilling accident in a Formula 2 race in Rouen. There remained Depailler, more and more a favorite of the place. However, rumors of a possible Tyrrell interest began to appear in Peter Revson, McLaren driver who would be replaced by Emerson Fittipaldi in 1974, and Jody Scheckter, a very promising South African, but known for his enormous aggression (not so justified) as oral history perpetuated it), especially after causing a huge carom in Woodcote on the first lap of the GP 1973 England, who occasionally ran as the third McLaren driver.

 

Unfortunately, everything precipitated at the end of 1973. Stewart got his third title after a spectacular recovery in G.P. from Italy, and two tests were missing to definitively abandon the world of competition. In the Constructors, Lotus was getting the better of it, and Ken Tyrrell invited the experienced (and still young) Chris Amon, coming from a disastrous season with Tecno, to drive the third car in Canada and the USA, to try to steal points from the Lotus pilots and, perhaps, evaluate the possibility of hiring him for 1973. Unfortunately, the New Zealander no longer had the motivation he had before, due to his profound bad luck, and he never got along with the 006 chassis, known for its short distance between axes, to Stewart's liking but still difficult to tune. And Cevért seemed increasingly agitated, as if to demonstrate his worth on the track and his right to claim a place as a first driver. Rumors of Stewart's withdrawal were already circulating, even though the official decision was scrupulously guarded by Tyrrell and Hayes. It was said that Cevert could be leaving for Shadow… At G.P. from Canada, the Frenchman was involved in an accident with Jody Scheckter, which left him with a lot of pain in his ankles and a huge hatred for the South African. And, in G.P. of the United States, clearly pushing too hard, died after another chilling accident.

 

Stewart always regretted not having told Cevert that Tyrrell's first driver would be his. It was a question that was more than decided and, “by this time of the championship”, Depailler was already chosen as the second driver. However, the Watkins Glen tragedy left Tyrrell completely disoriented ... Irony of ironies, the team bet on a pair with little evidence in F1, and hired Scheckter to replace Cevert. The South African, the first to reach the scene of the Cevert accident and see the body ... grew suddenly, and was never the aggressive driver he was before. And, despite having lost the best in the world and Cevert, Tyrrell fought until the end for the 1974 F1 title with ... Jody Scheckter, showing maturity and regularity well above average for an almost newcomer. Strange the lines of destiny.



#53 arttidesco

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Posted 09 July 2020 - 20:08

At  the time the anouncement that Jody would be joining Patrick seemed entirely sensible, with Gerry, Roger and Francois no longer available a pair of fresh young talents was exactly what Tyrrell needed to put the trials and tribulations of '73 behind them, and as it turned out Jody more than proved his worth winning at least one race in every season he competed with the team. How much more Francois mught have delivered is of course open to debate, '74 was one of those seasons where aside from Ferrari in qualifying everyone struggled for consistent results.



#54 GMiranda

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Posted 09 July 2020 - 21:26

At  the time the anouncement that Jody would be joining Patrick seemed entirely sensible, with Gerry, Roger and Francois no longer available a pair of fresh young talents was exactly what Tyrrell needed to put the trials and tribulations of '73 behind them, and as it turned out Jody more than proved his worth winning at least one race in every season he competed with the team. How much more Francois mught have delivered is of course open to debate, '74 was one of those seasons where aside from Ferrari in qualifying everyone struggled for consistent results.

I think nobody expected Scheckter to fight for the title with real chances till the last race of the WC. I don't think he was so wild as I've always heard and read on les-detailed books, the first ones I could have afforded. Alas, I think the French GP collision is more due to Fittipaldi's lack of patience than any manouver by Jody. However, in Canadá, Scheckter seems to be the rightful culprit on his accident with Cevért. But the moment he saw the corpse of François - he was the first to arrive - something completely changed on his mind, and the Scheckter we saw until the end of his career had the Button-like approach.



#55 GMiranda

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Posted 16 February 2021 - 14:12

Hello

I wrote this article strongly relying on the written sources I already knew, and on the knowledgeable discussion, I read here in this post. It summarizes a bit about what happened with the succession of JYS. Hope not to disappoint you.

 

https://realmofmotor...ie-stewart.html



#56 JtP2

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Posted 16 February 2021 - 22:23

To clear up some points, albeit from nearly 50 year rememberance.

 

MaClaren, with Emmo arriving the team would always be Emmo and Denny. Denny was part owner of the team.

 

Tyrell was always going to be Cevert , who was being groomed by Stewart and someone else. So 2nd driver? Tyrells were Ford blue and Gerry Birrell had excellent Ford connections. He was an excellent test driver Scottish and well known to Stewart. Roger Wiliamson was obviously a coming talent. Unfortunately both removed from the decision. Jody had gained an unfortunate reputation and Teddy Mayer probably thought life was cheaper without him in the team. Jody was certainly not getting a drive from John Surtees. In  fact Jody was not signed by Ken until just before the US gp.

 

As for Tyrell and Matra. Matra got taken over in some form by Chrysler and they were not going to provide a chassis for a Ford engine. Obviously Guy Edwards negotiating skills were missing



#57 GMiranda

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Posted 16 February 2021 - 22:26

To clear up some points, albeit from nearly 50 year rememberance.

 

MaClaren, with Emmo arriving the team would always be Emmo and Denny. Denny was part owner of the team.

 

Tyrell was always going to be Cevert , who was being groomed by Stewart and someone else. So 2nd driver? Tyrells were Ford blue and Gerry Birrell had excellent Ford connections. He was an excellent test driver Scottish and well known to Stewart. Roger Wiliamson was obviously a coming talent. Unfortunately both removed from the decision. Jody had gained an unfortunate reputation and Teddy Mayer probably thought life was cheaper without him in the team. Jody was certainly not getting a drive from John Surtees. In  fact Jody was not signed by Ken until just before the US gp.

 

As for Tyrell and Matra. Matra got taken over in some form by Chrysler and they were not going to provide a chassis for a Ford engine. Obviously Guy Edwards negotiating skills were missing

 

I thought it was Depailler who signed first and then Jody after Cevert's death. After all, Depailler came from Elf School.



#58 rl1856

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Posted 17 February 2021 - 02:06

Stewart's retirement at the end of the 1973 was a tightly guarded secret.   The team quietly began to look for a replacement during the season.   What did the team say to prospective candidates regarding the size of the team....that they would run 3 cars in 1974 ?   Otherwise some plausible reason had to be floated as to why they were looking for a new driver.   Anyone have insight ?



#59 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 17 February 2021 - 09:32

I thought it was Depailler who signed first and then Jody after Cevert's death. After all, Depailler came from Elf School.

 

I thought that was Will Ferrell   ;)

 

No, it was Scheckter, shortly before the US Grand Prix as to not give JYS's secret away too early. The likelihood is that it would have been initially discussed as a regular third-seat.

 

Then after Cevert died, Depailler, who had of course already raced for Tyrrell, was promoted to the 2nd drive. Patrick was involved with Tyrrell before Cevert's death, hence the confusion.



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#60 GMiranda

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Posted 17 February 2021 - 12:47

I thought that was Will Ferrell   ;)

 

No, it was Scheckter, shortly before the US Grand Prix as to not give JYS's secret away too early. The likelihood is that it would have been initially discussed as a regular third-seat.

 

Then after Cevert died, Depailler, who had of course already raced for Tyrrell, was promoted to the 2nd drive. Patrick was involved with Tyrrell before Cevert's death, hence the confusion.

Many Thanks!!!! So, do you think they might have tried a three-car approach with Cevert and Scheckter, with Depailler on a partial schedule?



#61 JtP2

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Posted 17 February 2021 - 15:51

Jody tells the story of being signed by Ken T and that evening being passed by him in the hotel dining room without any acknowledgment at the US gp.  So Jody signed first? Oh and do not pay poker with Ken T.



#62 garoidb

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Posted 17 February 2021 - 17:09

Chris Amon also drove for Tyrrell in 1973. From this thread, it sounds like he was never under consideration. Was there any particular reason why not? Perhaps he was not in the frame because Cevert was to be team leader and he wouldn't have fitted that scenario?



#63 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 17 February 2021 - 20:50

Many Thanks!!!! So, do you think they might have tried a three-car approach with Cevert and Scheckter, with Depailler on a partial schedule?

 

They would've likely kept it similar to the previous years. Watkins Glen paid a colossal amount of prize money compared to the other races put together, so they would have likely done Canada and the US duo and then France (for Elf) and Britain (for Tyrrell).

 

 

 

Chris Amon also drove for Tyrrell in 1973. From this thread, it sounds like he was never under consideration. Was there any particular reason why not? Perhaps he was not in the frame because Cevert was to be team leader and he wouldn't have fitted that scenario?

 

I suspect there were a number of reasons. Elf might not have been keen due to how Amon's relationship with Matra ended, Chris was looking at projects away from F1 which Ken might have felt would've distracted him from the task in hand, but also generally, although Chris was not old by racing terms, Tyrrell didn't normally plump for older, experienced drivers during their long time in the sport. Ken preferred them young and hungry. Maybe he felt Chris was neither.



#64 Michael Ferner

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Posted 18 February 2021 - 08:08

Wasn't Amon already hard at work with his Dalton-Amon entry? Maybe he wasn't interested in a Tyrrell drive...