Austrian1970

The Austrian Grand Prix was a disappointment for the hordes of fans who had come to see local hero and World Championship leader Jochen Rindt in action. The Austrian duly took pole position but was forced to retire with a blown engine. It was to be his last Grand Prix, as he would be killed in practice for the Italian event just two weeks later. The race itself was a Ferrari benefit, with Jackie Ickx leading home team-mate Clay Regazzoni in a 1-2 for the Maranello concern.

The rolling, picturesque and extremely quick circuit at Zeltweg hosted the 9th round of the championship - the first race at the venue, which had been constructed at the behest of the Austrian Automobile Club one year before. Thousands of fans poured in hoping to see a victory for Austrian Jochen Rindt, the runaway championship leader, and they were expecting to see plenty of action, as no fewer than 11 total hours of practice were scheduled over the three days before the race itself.
However, they had reckoned without the than current shortage of Ford Cosworth engines, which led to caution among the teams and somewhat sporadic action to say the least. It was clear from these sessions however, that Ferrari would be the team to beat with Ickx, Giunti and Regazzoni regularly appearing near the top of the sheets. Pole, however, went to Rindt after a blistering Friday time of 1 minute 39.23. So unexpected was this that the legality of his Lotus was called into question, but scrutineering found nothing amiss and Jochen claimed top spot on the grid to the delight of his adoring public.
Cevert was having a good weekend - with a little help from a Stewart 'tow' he had set an extremely impressive Friday time of 1:40.89, just 0.7 behind Stewart's best. All those who had doubted his ability before the Dutch race were now sitting up and taking note - even the initially uncharitable Autosport was forced to concede that 'Cevert seems to be responding well to Tyrrell tuition'. Francois was unable to improve on his time on Saturday, however, as his laps were limited by his twisting his back 'getting out of bed'. Rumours that a lady friend had been in close attendance when this unfortunate incident occurred were, however, unsubstantiated....
Still, Francois lined up a career-best 9th on the grid and had plenty of cause for optimism come raceday. It was a shame, then, that it all came unhinged within a few corners when his engine let go spectacularly. A bitterly disappointed Francois was forced to retire from a race which had held the prospect of his first points, although he made few friends by coating much of the track with oil.
One victim of the oil was a less-than-pleased Rindt, who lost three further places, having been overtaken by Ickx and Regazzoni at the start. The race was being dominated by the V12s of Ickx, Regazzoni and Beltoise's Matra, with Giunti in the third Ferrari holding up the rest of the front-runners in 4th. Rindt eventually charged past first Amon, and then, in a daring manoeuvre, Giunti, but on lap 21 his Lotus's engine gave up the ghost, and the partisan crowd was to be disappointed.
Stewart had disappeared some laps since, a split fuel pipe leaking fuel into the cockpit. Jackie changed his overalls at one pit stop but the problem recurred and when the fuel started permeating his nether regions Jackie decided, perhaps wisely, that there was only so much of this sort of thing a man could take and retired the car.
Back out front, Ickx and Regazzoni continued to be the class of the field and stormed to victory - Ferrari's first for two years. Beltoise, however, lost third place after having to make a late stop for fuel and had to be content with 6th. Third place instead went, surprisingly, to a delighted Rolf Stommelen in the Brabham.
So, ultimately, a disappointing race for Cevert but he was now beginning to show some good pace, and to confound the critics who had initially doubted him. All that remained was to get some points on the board - starting with the next race, the Italian Grand Prix, at Monza.....

BACK TO 1970 RESULTS
BACK TO THE RACES PAGE
BACK TO THE MAIN PAGE