HistoryData
general1973

1973 Italian Grand Prix — Formula One motor race held in 1973

September 9, 1973

Jackie Stewart secured his third and final Formula One World Drivers' Championship at Monza, before announcing his retirement three days later.

Quick Facts

Year
1973
Category
general

Key Facts

Race winner
Ronnie Peterson (Lotus-Ford)
Number of laps
55 laps
Race date
9 September 1973
Championship round
Race 13 of 15
Stewart's finishing position
4th (from 20th after puncture)
Stewart's retirement announcement
Three days after the race

By the Numbers

55laps
Number of laps
9
Race date
13
Championship round
4
Stewart's finishing position

Location

Map of Monza, ItalyMap of Monza, ItalyMonza, Italy

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

The 1973 Formula One season's title battle reached its climax at Monza, where Jackie Stewart needed only a modest result to clinch the championship. An early puncture dropped Stewart to 20th place, forcing him to mount a recovery drive through the field to secure the points necessary for the title.

Event

The 55-lap race at Monza was won from pole position by Ronnie Peterson in a Lotus-Ford, with teammate Emerson Fittipaldi second and Peter Revson third in a McLaren-Ford. Stewart charged from 20th to finish fourth, clinching his third Drivers' Championship. François Cevert finished fifth, and Jacky Ickx made his final Ferrari appearance, finishing eighth.

Consequence

Stewart's fourth-place finish was enough to clinch his third and final Drivers' Championship. Three days after the race, he announced his retirement from Formula One. Tragically, his teammate François Cevert, who scored his last career points at this race, was killed in a crash during qualifying at the United States Grand Prix weeks later.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 197319731970197119721974197519761973 World Aquatics Championships — 1973 edition of the World Aquatics Championships1973 oil crisis — 1973 petroleum shortage1973 European Super Cup — football tournamentEurovision Song Contest 1973 — 18th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest1973–74 European Cup — 19th season of the UEFA club football tournament1973 Formula One season — sports season1973 World Women's Handball Championship — 1973 edition of the World Women's Handball ChampionshipEuroBasket 1973 — Basketball tournament1973-italian-grand-prix-formula-one-motor-race-held-in-197-1973