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."
©TheCahierArchive
