Monaco Grand Prix 1973 poster

•Teams and Key Drivers : Recent modifications were made to the Monaco circuit to enhance safety, including a new sequence of two sharp turns after the Bureau de Tabac corner. Ferrari, having excelled at the Jarama and Nivelles Grands Prix, aimed to continue their strong form. Among the novelties, Lord Alexander Hesketh’s team garnered attention with young driver James Hunt, making his World Championship debut in a privately-entered March 731. Meanwhile, Scuderia Ferrari entered a second car for Arturo Merzario, although the team’s performance lagged expectations, with only nine points scored in the first five races.
•Standings Before the Race : Emerson Fittipaldi led the championship with 41 points, followed by Jackie Stewart with 37 points. François Cevert, who showed strong potential, held third place with 21 points.

• Weather: The race faced challenging, unstable weather conditions. While the rain had stopped by the start, the circuit remained wet and slippery, requiring all drivers to use tires suited to the damp track.
• Starting Grid: Jackie Stewart secured pole position, marking his first pole of the season and the fifteenth of his career. He was followed by Ronnie Peterson in second and Denny Hulme in third, showcasing an impressive performance with the McLaren M23. Stewart’s teammate François Cevert and Emerson Fittipaldi, who struggled to tune his car, completed the top five.
• Key Moments: Cevert made an excellent start, quickly taking the lead at Sainte-Dévote. However, the first lap was marred by a series of collisions as several drivers tangled in the Beaurivage climb. Clay Regazzoni, who had a strong start, soon led the race with Niki Lauda and Henri Pescarolo close behind. The incidents continued to disrupt the race, notably when Peterson spun at the Rascasse while attempting to overtake Lauda. Ultimately, after several twists, Lauda managed to seize the lead following an error by Regazzoni.

• Podium : Jackie Stewart ultimately claimed victory, marking his 25th Formula 1 win and equaling Jim Clark’s record. Emerson Fittipaldi finished second, delivering a solid performance despite mechanical issues with his car. Ronnie Peterson, despite difficulties, secured third place, scoring his first points of the season. François Cevert made an impressive recovery to finish fourth, followed by McLaren drivers Peter Revson and Denny Hulme, who rounded out the points.
• Standings After the Race: Stewart’s victory closed the gap to Fittipaldi in the drivers’ standings, with the two now leading the championship with 41 and 37 points, respectively. François Cevert solidified his third place with 21 points. In the constructors’ standings, Tyrrell extended their lead over Lotus to four points. The title fight intensified, with drivers like Peterson and Cevert showing growing potential to challenge the leaders.