The Brazilian hunger to host a Formula 1 event was at fever pitch in 1973. They had hosted a non-championship event the year before and there was, at that time a Brazilian World Champion. So, when the decision was handed down that Formula 1 would indeed be coming to Interlagos for a championship event, the growing hunger for F1 that the Brazilians had been feeling for some time became almost insatiable.
Bringing Home a Victory: The 1973 Brazilian Grand Prix
Lotus, who would be fielding Emerson Fittipaldi and Ronnie Petrson, had done significant amounts of testing at the track. The idea behind that being that a win by Fittipaldi would further the sport, and of course the team, as well. It, however, was Ronnie Peterson who ended up taking the pole with Jackie Icyx behind him in a Ferrari. The second row held Clay Regazonni and Denny Hulme and speed that was only 1.3 seconds behind the leaders.
Race day dawned, clear, bright, and hot. As the cars roared to life, the crowd rose to their feet cheering for Fittipaldi who had stormed into the lead, with Carlos Pace hot on his heels. Stewart, Peterson, and Icyx followed. Stewart got around Pace and from then on Pace began to fall backwards through the pack. It was not until Ronnie Peterson crashed badly due to wheel failure that Pace was able to move up or at least hold steady. Pace was experiencing suspension issues but was yet to be pulled into the pits, determined to make the use of his chance. Jackie Icyx pulled into third place and seemed to park there, the field settling in around him. The most exciting driving of the race came from Denny Hulme who was managing to march up the field with admirable determination. By the time the fourth lap he had pulled past Jean Pierre-Beltoise in a BRM, and three laps later he took Ickx for third. Regazzoni then moved into third but almost immediately had to pit for new tires and so the position went to Arturo Merzario in the second Ferrari.
The end of the race saw Emerson Fittipaldi a top the podium, with Jackie Stewart beside him for second, and Denny Hulme next to him. It was an epic start to an epic future in racing for Brazil, who were the proud possesors of a Formula 1 race of their own after much turmoil . The victory of Emerson Fittipaldi only served to solidfy the connection that existed between Formula 1 and Brazil and ignite a passion that would carry them both into the future.
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