Emmo draws first blood in Argentina

On this day in 1973, reigning world champion Emerson Fittipaldi kicked off his title defence in style by winning the season-opening Argentine Grand Prix in Buenos Aires.

After an opening salvo from BRM's Clay Regazzoni fizzled, fans were treated to a thrilling three-way scrap between Fittipaldi and Tyrrell boys Jackie Stewart and François Cevert.

The Frenchman led his for the bulk of the 96-lap race while Stewart was forced to contend with a slow puncture that put him in the clutches of Fittipaldi.

The Brazilian eventually passed the Scot and then gained the upper hand over Cevert - very much the man of the day - with ten laps to go, sealing his seventh Grand Prix win.

But Cevert's display wasn't lost on his mentor.

"He drove the race of his life … it was remarkable," said Stewart. "He really is the great young driver everyone has been saying he was going to be. In my opinion, he has already arrived."

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