71st, Regazzoni Triumphs Amid Tragedy: Italian GP Marred by Rindt's Death, Regazzoni Claims Victory
“Jackie Stewart spent practically the whole race battling against 12-cylindered cars,” wrote Denis Jenkinson. “If it wasn’t a Ferrari it was a BRM, and if they weren’t there it was a Matra, so he must be getting fed-up with the sound of 12 cylinders on full song.”
Stewart’s March–Cosworth V8 had been at the heart of a slipstreaming classic typical of the era. But it’s the context of his performance that really makes one gasp, for the day before his close friend Jochen Rindt had died after his Lotus 72 snapped left into a barrier on the approach to the Parabolica. For those who would later accuse Stewart of cowardice over his stance on safety, his strength of character at Monza that weekend should have been remembered. There was, in fact, none more brave.
Unlike the race that would play out a year later, the battle for Monza ’70 would not go to the line, Clay Regazzoni’s Ferrari breaking the tow late on to claim a clear win that sent Italy into raptures. Stewart was left in his wake, edging Jean-Pierre Beltoise’s Matra and Denny Hulme’s McLaren for second. He’d raced to win, as usual, despite everything.