The 1973 FIA Formula One World Championship began on 28 January and concluded on 7 October, over 15 race weekends. In addition to the championship rounds, the season included two non-championship races open to both Formula One and Formula 5000 cars.
Season
The World Drivers’ Championship was won by Jackie Stewart, driving for Tyrrell, who secured the third and final title of his Formula One career. Stewart’s performances throughout the season confirmed his status as one of the leading drivers of his era and further strengthened Tyrrell’s position among the sport’s top teams.
In the Constructors’ standings, the International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers was ultimately awarded to John Player Team Lotus. However, the season’s conclusion was overshadowed by tragedy. During Saturday practice for the final race of the year, Tyrrell driver François Cevert, Stewart’s teammate and widely regarded as a future championship contender, suffered a fatal crash. In response to the loss of their driver, the Tyrrell team withdrew from the race, a decision that effectively ensured the Constructors’ title went to Lotus.
Following the race weekend, Jackie Stewart publicly confirmed his retirement from Formula One. Although the announcement came after Cevert’s death, Stewart had already decided earlier in the season that 1973 would be his final year in the sport.
The season had already been marked by another tragic accident earlier in the year. At the Dutch Grand Prix, British driver Roger Williamson was killed after his car crashed and caught fire. Fellow driver David Purley stopped his own car and attempted to rescue Williamson from the wreckage, but despite his efforts, he was unable to free him. The incident drew widespread criticism of the delayed response from track marshals, highlighting serious concerns about safety procedures and emergency response at race circuits during that era.
1973 Formula 1 Race Calendar
| Round | Grand Prix | Circuit | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1973 Argentine Grand Prix | Autódromo Oscar Alfredo Gálvez, Buenos Aires | 28 January |
| 2 | 1973 Brazilian Grand Prix | Autodromo de Interlagos, São Paulo | 11 February |
| 3 | 1973 South African Grand Prix | Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, Midrand | 3 March |
| 4 | 1973 Spanish Grand Prix | Montjuïc circuit, Barcelona | 29 April |
| 5 | 1973 Belgian Grand Prix | Circuit Zolder, Heusden-Zolder | 20 May |
| 6 | 1973 Monaco Grand Prix | Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo | 3 June |
| 7 | 1973 Swedish Grand Prix | Scandinavian Raceway, Anderstorp | 17 June |
| 8 | 1973 French Grand Prix | Paul Ricard Circuit, Le Castellet | 1 July |
| 9 | 1973 British Grand Prix | Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone | 14 July |
| 10 | 1973 Dutch Grand Prix | Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort | 29 July |
| 11 | 1973 German Grand Prix | Nürburgring, Nürburg | 5 August |
| 12 | 1973 Austrian Grand Prix | Österreichring, Spielberg | 19 August |
| 13 | 1973 Italian Grand Prix | Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza | 9 September |
| 14 | 1973 Canadian Grand Prix | Mosport Park, Bowmanville | 23 September |
| 15 | 1973 United States Grand Prix | Watkins Glen International, New York | 7 October |
1973 Formula 1 Race Results
Grands Prix
1973 Formula 1 Standings
Driver standings
| Pos | Driver | Nationality | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackie Stewart | GBR | Tyrrell Ford | 71 |
| 2 | Emerson Fittipaldi | BRA | Lotus Ford | 55 |
| 3 | Ronnie Peterson | SWE | Lotus Ford | 52 |
| 4 | Francois Cevert | FRA | Tyrrell Ford | 47 |
| 5 | Peter RevsonPeter Revson | USA | McLaren Ford | 38 |
| 6 | Denny Hulme | NZL | McLaren Ford | 26 |
| 7 | Carlos Reutemann | ARG | Brabham Ford | 16 |
| 8 | James Hunt | GBR | March Ford | 14 |
| 9 | Jacky Ickx | BEL | Iso Marlboro Ford | 12 |
| 10 | Jean-Pierre Beltoise | FRA | BRM | 9 |
| 11 | Carlos Pace | BRA | Surtees Ford | 7 |
| 12 | Arturo Merzario | ITA | Ferrari | 6 |
| 13 | George Follmer | USA | Shadow Ford | 5 |
| 14 | Jackie Oliver | GBR | Shadow Ford | 4 |
| 15 | Andrea de Adamich | ITA | Brabham Ford | 3 |
| 15 | Wilson Fittipaldi | BRA | Brabham Ford | 3 |
| 17 | Niki Lauda | AUT | BRM | 2 |
| 17 | Clay Regazzoni | SUI | BRM | 2 |
| 19 | Chris Amon | NZL | Tyrrell Ford | 1 |
| 19 | Gijs van Lennep | NED | Iso Marlboro Ford | 1 |
| 19 | Howden Ganley | NZL | Iso Marlboro Ford | 1 |
Team standings
| Pos | Team | PTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lotus Ford | 92 |
| 2 | Tyrrell Ford | 82 |
| 3 | McLaren Ford | 58 |
| 4 | Brabham Ford | 22 |
| 5 | March Ford | 14 |
| 6 | Ferrari | 12 |
| 7 | BRM | 12 |
| 8 | Shadow Ford | 9 |
| 9 | Surtees Ford | 7 |
| 10 | Iso Marlboro Ford | 2 |
| 11 | Tecno | 1 |
