1972 Tyrrell 006

The Tyrrell 006 was designed and built by the Tyrrell Racing Organization under the direction of designer Derek Gardner. The car was introduced near the close of the 1972 season, and during the off-season, testing, and development continued. During the 1973 F1 season, the car was driven by Jackie Stewart to a Drivers' Championship. This would be Stewart's third and final title.

The 006 was similar in design to the preceding Tyrrell 005 and was given an aluminum monocoque with a double wishbone suspension setup in the front. In contrast to the first Tyrrell-built chassis, the number 006 became a model, rather than a chassis number. The previous Tyrrell cars were one-off constructions.

Tyrrell built three examples of the 006 model, the 006, 006/2, and 006/3. The 006 models continued to be used during the 1974 Formula One Season, but it was slowly phased out and succeeded by the Tyrrell 007.

Stewart would score five victories during the 1973 season, earning him the Drivers' Championship. Cevert also had several podium finishes. Cevert damaged 006 in a collision during the Canadian Grand Prix, and a new chassis, 006/3 was built up for his use in the following race. 006/3 would race just one event, ending in Cevert being fatally injured, when he crashed during practice for the final race of the season - the United States Grand Prix.

After the tragedy, Stewart drove 006/2 around the Watkins Glen circuit, trying to understand what had happened to Cevert. After the lap, Stewart parked the car and would not compete in Formula One again.

Tyrrell would finish the season in second place with 82 points, behind Lotus who had amassed 92 points.

Tyrrell used 006/2 for the early races of the 1974 Formula one season. Jody Scheckter drove it in Argentina, Brazil, and South Partica. Patrick Depailler used it as a backup car after qualifying breakdowns in Spain, Monaco, and France.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2011