Weekend Docco: Tyrrell – Surviving Formula 1

Jackie Stewart on the way to victory in the 1971 Monaco Grand Prix. Image thanks to the Cahier Archive.

Not afraid to push boundaries and consistently able to punch above their weight, Tyrrell Racing captured hearts, imaginations, and Formula 1 glory. Put your feet up this weekend and enjoy this brilliant retro documentary that tells the story of the iconic race team.

Founded by Ken Tyrrell in 1958, Tyrrell Racing got its start in Formula Three, progressing through Formula Junior and Formula Two in its early years. Tyrrell himself took to the track in the team’s very early days, but gave that up in short order and instead put some great talent behind the wheel, including Jacky Ickx and John Surtees, who made single seater debuts driving for the team.

Tyrrell met Jackie Stewart in the early ’60s, forming a relationship that would put the team, and Jackie, on the map. Not long after, he signed a deal to work with Matra and made the acquaintance of Ford’s Cosworth DFV, completing the foundations for his move into Formula 1.

Tyrrell entered Formula 1 in 1968 as the team principle of Matra International. Stewart would win the Dutch, German and United States grands prix that year, finishing the season second on the drivers’ tables behind Lotus’ Graham Hill. In 1969 Stewart was dominant, piloting the team’s Matra MS80 to six grands prix victories, securing the drivers’ title and helping to secure the constructors’ title for Matra.

Tyrrell Racing’s first car as a constructor arrived in 1970 with the Tyrrell 001. It initially struggled with reliability but, after some development, would be come the Tyrrell 003 – a dominant force. In 1971 Stewart won another six grand prix to claim the 1971 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship with plenty of clear air between himself and March’s Ronnie Peterson. This would also give Tyrrell their first and only constructors’ title.

Tyrrell remained in Formula 1 through to 1998, claiming a third drivers’ title with Stewart in 1973, amassing 33 grand prix victories, defining an iconic livery with elf and building some exciting and innovative cars along the way.

Hit play and enjoy Tyrrell – Surviving Formula 1.

MORE: One off Grand Prix winners: Francois Cevert, Watkins Glen 1971