1970 Canadian Grand Prix

Previous race

Clay Regazzoni won at Monza for his first Formula One victory, with Stewart second and Beltoise third. Championship leader Jochen Rindt was killed during Saturday qualifying when his Lotus 72 went under its lap belt at the Parabolica corner. Team Lotus withdrew from the race.

Between-race developments

Team Lotus is not entering this race, still in mourning. John Miles has retired from the sport following Rindt’s accident. Colin Chapman has hired Emerson Fittipaldi and Reine Wisell to drive for Lotus in the remaining races.

Rob Walker, however, is running a Lotus 72 separately with Graham Hill.

Tyrrell reveals their first self-designed chassis — the Tyrrell 001. Stewart takes the car to pole position on its debut, going four tenths of a second faster than his best time in the March.

The FIA has announced new safety measures for this race following the events at Monza: the pit lane entry and exit are to be controlled by a curve to force reduced speeds, no mechanic may step onto the pit lane surface except during a pit stop, and pit stop order will be determined by draw.

Milestones

This is the debut of Tyrrell Racing as a constructor. Stewart took pole — their first as a constructor.

Qualifying

Stewart leads the grid in the Tyrrell 001, with Ickx and Regazzoni’s Ferraris alongside him.