1971 F1 World Championship

The 1971 FIA Formula One World Championship began on 6 March and concluded on 3 October, over 11 race weekends, alongside a number of non-championship Formula One races that were still common during this era.

Season

The World Drivers’ Championship was won by Jackie Stewart, driving for Tyrrell Racing, who secured the second title of his career. Stewart’s consistent performances throughout the season helped establish Tyrrell as one of the leading teams in the sport. The team also achieved success in the Manufacturers’ Championship, securing their first—and ultimately only—Manufacturers’ Cup in Formula One.

Tyrrell’s success came with a car powered by the highly successful Ford Cosworth DFV V8 engine, which had become the dominant power unit in Formula One during this era. Rival teams such as BRM and Ferrari continued to rely on their own V12 engines, creating a contrast between the widely used Cosworth units and the bespoke engines built by traditional manufacturers.

In contrast, the 1970 champions, Team Lotus, endured a difficult season. The team struggled to replicate their previous success following the death of their driver and reigning champion Jochen Rindt the year before. Lotus experimented with a number of unconventional technical ideas during 1971, including trials with a gas turbine engine and the development of four-wheel drive technology. However, these projects did not deliver the expected results, and the team ultimately finished fifth in the championship standings.

The year was also marked by tragedy within the motorsport community. Pedro Rodríguez, a prominent Formula One driver, lost his life in July 1971 while racing a Ferrari 512 in an Interserie event at the Norisring. Later in the year, Jo Siffert died in a fiery crash during the Victory Race at Brands Hatch in October. Although both accidents occurred outside the official Formula One championship, they deeply affected the sport.

The 1971 season also reflected the growing popularity and competitiveness of Formula One. It became the first season in which at least 22 cars started every championship race, with the sole exception of the Monaco Grand Prix, where the narrow circuit limited the starting grid to 18 cars.

1971 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Round	Grand Prix	Circuit	Date
1	1971 South African Grand Prix	Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, Midrand	6 March
2	1971 Spanish Grand Prix	Montjuïc circuit, Barcelona	18 April
3	1971 Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo	23 May
4	1971 Dutch Grand Prix	Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort	20 June
5	1971 French Grand Prix	Paul Ricard Circuit, Le Castellet	4 July
6	1971 British Grand Prix	Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone	17 July
7	1971 German Grand Prix	Nürburgring, Nürburg	1 August
8	1971 Austrian Grand Prix	Österreichring, Spielberg	15 August
9	1971 Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza	5 September
10	1971 Canadian Grand Prix	Mosport Park, Bowmanville	19 September
11	1971 United States Grand Prix	Watkins Glen International, New York	3 October

1971 Formula 1 Race Results

Grands Prix

Round	Grand Prix	Pole position	Fastest lap	Winning driver	Winning constructor	Tyre	Report
1	1971 South African Grand Prix	Jackie Stewart	Mario Andretti	Mario Andretti	Ferrari	F	Report
2	1971 Spanish Grand Prix	Jacky Ickx	Jacky Ickx	Jackie Stewart	Tyrrell-Ford	G	Report
3	1971 Monaco Grand Prix	Jackie Stewart	Jackie Stewart	Jackie Stewart	Tyrrell-Ford	G	Report
4	1971 Dutch Grand Prix	Jacky Ickx	Jacky Ickx	Jacky Ickx	Ferrari	F	Report
5	1971 French Grand Prix	Jackie Stewart	Jackie Stewart	Jackie Stewart	Tyrrell-Ford	G	Report
6	1971 British Grand Prix	Clay Regazzoni	Jackie Stewart	Jackie Stewart	Tyrrell-Ford	G	Report
7	1971 German Grand Prix	Jackie Stewart	François Cevert	Jackie Stewart	Tyrrell-Ford	G	Report
8	1971 Austrian Grand Prix	Jo Siffert	Jo Siffert	Jo Siffert	BRM	F	Report
9	1971 Italian Grand Prix	Chris Amon	Henri Pescarolo	Peter Gethin	BRM	F	Report
10	1971 Canadian Grand Prix	Jackie Stewart	Denny Hulme	Jackie Stewart	Tyrrell-Ford	G	Report
11	1971 United States Grand Prix	Jackie Stewart	Jacky Ickx	François Cevert	Tyrrell-Ford	G	Report

1971 Formula 1 Standings

Driver standings

Team standings