1973 United States Grand Prix

Previous race

Revson won at Mosport with Fittipaldi second and Jackie Oliver third in the Shadow. The result was not declared until three hours after the finish following chaos caused by a safety car deployment, pit-stop confusion in the wet-to-dry conditions, and the race officials losing track of the running order.

Between-race developments

François Cevert was killed instantly when his Tyrrell crashed violently in the uphill Esses during Saturday qualifying. Fighting the car up the hill, Cevert ran onto the kerbs and struck the right-hand Armco at around 150 mph; the car was slammed across the track into the barrier on the other side, which ripped off the front of the car. Jody Scheckter, following closely, stopped and rushed to help, but Cevert had died on impact. Stewart recalled: “It was a horrendous accident which took the life of a wonderfully charming, personable, handsome young man, who was a tremendous friend to both Helen and me.”

The Tyrrell team have withdrawn from the race in tribute. Stewart had intended Watkins Glen to be his 100th and final Grand Prix, and had privately decided in April to retire at the end of the season regardless of the championship result. With the team’s withdrawal, his career ends at 99 races. Cevert — who had been designated to lead the team in 1974, though he never knew it — had taken his only Grand Prix win at this circuit two years earlier.

Tyrrell’s withdrawal means Lotus are guaranteed the Manufacturers’ Cup regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s race.