Video of the Week: Stewart, Fittipaldi, and Cevert inspecting the track surface at Zolder

Today, the FIA places heavy expectations on the track owners to make sure everything is up to snuff in order for an F1 race to happen. Back in 1973, the Grand Prix drivers had to bear the burden of ensuring their own safety and threaten boycotts of the races if their demands weren't met.  Here, we see Jackie Stewart and Emerson Fittipaldi complaining that the track was resurfaced right before the race weekend, and that the fresh asphalt was in high likelihood of breaking up.  Francois Cevert is also shown making his views known!  The 3 men in this video went on to finish 1-2-3 in the actual race. Love the period look!

Comments

[Rik]

Been rummaging around old posts and stumbled upon this one. I believe this is actually Zandvoort 1973, the organisers had fought for years to get an F1 race and finally succeeded. Jackie Stewart had made some stinging criticism of track safety in the lead up to the race, and made several demands for improvements. One of which was improved crash barriers. The race went ahead as scheduled. Early in the race however, Roger Williamson suffered a tyre failure and went off. His car hit one of the new barriers which. Unfortunately it's posts not been concreted at all. As a result the barrier bent back and launched Rogers car upside down and back onto the track. You can see the rest on You Tube. It's heartbreaking.

A very sad day for F1. David Purley is a hero.

For the full story I would recommend reading Lost Generation by David Tremayne. Made me feel a lot better.

Sorry for being a pedant... :)

[Rik]

And the worst type of pedant is an incorrect one... this IS Zolder. I was getting my Z's mixed up, possibly distracted by all the side burns!!

Same year as the Zandvoort debacle though, and further digging around on the internet reveals 1973 to be a very tragic year for F1. Although it could be said that back in those days every year was tragic. Many journalists talk of almost being blase about death as it was such a common occurrence.

Sorry again for the pedantry. David Tremaynes' book is well worth a read all the same if you can find a copy.