Complete calendar with 11 races
The 1971 Formula 1 season marked the beginning of Jackie Stewart's golden era with Tyrrell, as the Scottish driver claimed his second World Championship with a dominant display that showcased both his sublime talent and the brilliant design work of Ken Tyrrell's independent team. Stewart's six victories from 11 races represented one of the most commanding championship performances of the decade, secured with three races still remaining in the calendar.
Stewart's partnership with Tyrrell, which had begun tentatively with a customer March chassis the previous year, blossomed with the introduction of Derek Gardner's purpose-built Tyrrell 003. The elegant Ford Cosworth DFV-powered machine proved to be the class of the field, combining innovative design features with exceptional reliability. Stewart dominated at Spain, Monaco, France, Britain, Germany, and Canada, displaying his trademark smooth driving style and tactical intelligence. Remarkably, he achieved this success while battling mononucleosis and making 186 transatlantic crossings to fulfill lucrative media commitments in the United States, demonstrating his exceptional physical and mental resilience.
Stewart's young French teammate François Cevert emerged as a star in his own right, finishing runner-up to Stewart at both the French and German Grands Prix before claiming his maiden victory at Watkins Glen in the season finale. Cevert's breakthrough win made him only the second Frenchman to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix, and the charismatic Parisian's smooth driving style and movie-star looks made him a fan favorite. The Tyrrell one-two at several races established them as Formula 1's premier pairing and secured the team's only Constructors' Championship with 73 points.
Ronnie Peterson provided the primary challenge to Tyrrell's dominance, finishing as championship runner-up in only his second full season. The Swedish sensation, nicknamed 'SuperSwede,' drove the March 711 with breathtaking commitment, securing five second-place finishes through sheer speed and determination. His most memorable performance came at Monza, where he finished just 0.01 seconds behind Peter Gethin's BRM in the closest finish in Formula 1 history - a five-car blanket finish covering just 0.61 seconds at an average speed of 150.75 mph. The Italian Grand Prix remains the fastest race in F1 history and exemplified the spectacular slipstreaming battles of pre-chicane Monza.
Mario Andretti announced his arrival as a Grand Prix force by winning the season opener in South Africa for Ferrari on his debut for the Scuderia. The American star had signed to race both Formula 1 and sports cars for the Prancing Horse, and his commanding victory at Kyalami showcased his versatility and racecraft. However, Ferrari struggled to maintain early-season form, with Jacky Ickx managing just one podium finish and Clay Regazzoni failing to match his impressive 1970 rookie campaign. The season marked a transitional period for the famous Italian team.
Tragedy struck twice during the 1971 season, reminding everyone of racing's deadly dangers. Pedro Rodríguez, the brilliant Mexican driver who had won for BRM at Spa with a masterful wet-weather drive, was killed in July during an Interserie sports car race at Norisring when his Ferrari 512's tire came off the rim, sending him into a wall before the car caught fire. Later, in October, Swiss driver Jo Siffert perished in a fiery crash during a non-championship race at Brands Hatch, losing his life in his BRM when it crashed and burst into flames. Both drivers were considered among the bravest and fastest of their generation, and their deaths cast a shadow over the sport's ongoing safety crisis.
The season also witnessed Peter Gethin's sole Grand Prix victory at Monza, achieved in that historic photo finish ahead of Peterson, Cevert, Mike Hailwood, and Howden Ganley. BRM's fortunes fluctuated throughout the year, with Siffert scoring a popular victory at the newly-opened Österreichring in Austria. The emergence of March as a competitive force, both as a works team with Peterson and through customer sales to numerous privateer teams, demonstrated the increasingly professional and commercial nature of the sport.
Stewart's second championship, secured with 62 points to Peterson's 33, established him as the dominant driver of the early 1970s and set the stage for Tyrrell's continued success. The season's 11 races across Europe, South Africa, and North America showcased Formula 1's growing international appeal, though the loss of Rodríguez and Siffert emphasized the urgent need for improved safety standards. Stewart himself became an increasingly vocal advocate for circuit safety improvements, using his platform to push for changes that would save countless lives in the years ahead.