23/1/1972

Record updated

Argentine Grand Prix, Buenos Aires. Won by Jackie Stewart in a Tyrrell.

Jackie Stewart won the F1 Argentine GP, the first time a championship F1 race had been held there since 1960. Carlos Reutemann made his GP debut in spectacular fashion, winning the pole in his Brabham BT34. Brabham also had a new manager, Bernie Ecclestone. Lotus appeared for the first time in gold and black John Player colors, Peter Revson returned full time to F1 and BRM (with new Marlboro backing) had 5 cars, but elected to not enter Beltoise in Argentina after the tragedy of 1971. Chris Amon's gearbox seized on the warm-up lap. Sand & gravel strewn on the track in an early incident caused several problems. New Lotus driver Dave Walker stalled, ran back to the pits for a hammer and re-started, but was disqualified for using tools not carried in the car. Meanwhile, Reine Wisell, replaced at Lotus by Walker, continued after getting out of his BRM and manually unsticking the throttle. Reutemann gambled on softer tires and quickly faded, but after pitting late for new tires, charged from 14th back to 7th. Stewart's Tyrell won by 25.9 seconds over Denis Hulme in a McLaren with Jacky Ickx 3rd in a Ferrari.