 | |||||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | March Engineering | ||||||||||
| Designer(s) | Robin Herd | ||||||||||
| Predecessor | March 721 | ||||||||||
| Successor | March 741 | ||||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||||
| Chassis | Aluminium monocoque | ||||||||||
| Axle track | 1,448 mm (57.0 in) (Front) 1,448 mm (57.0 in) (Rear) | ||||||||||
| Wheelbase | 2,438 mm (96.0 in) | ||||||||||
| Engine | Ford-Cosworth DFV 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in) 90° V8 naturally aspirated mid-mounted | ||||||||||
| Transmission | 1976: Hewland DG 400 6-speed manual. 1977: Hewland FGA 400 6-speed manual. | ||||||||||
| Weight | 1,270 lb (580 kg) | ||||||||||
| Tyres | Goodyear Firestone | ||||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||||
| Notable entrants | March Engineering | ||||||||||
| Debut | 1973 Spanish Grand Prix[2] | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||||||
| Drivers' Championships | 0 | ||||||||||
| n.b. Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only. | |||||||||||
The March 731 was a Formula One racing car designed by Robin Herd of March Engineering for the 1973 season which saw continued use through 1974. While unsuccessful in the hands of the works team, private entrant Hesketh Racing had some success with James Hunt driving.
Design history
[edit]March had expended much time and effort in developing the previous season's 721 model, and so for 1973 they modified the existing 721G models, moving the radiator to the front and revising the bodywork.[3]
Racing history
[edit]The works' 731 was primarily raced by Jean-Pierre Jarier without much success, and various private teams fared little better, with the notable exception of Hesketh Racing. Their car, driven by James Hunt in his first season in F1, had various modifications carried out by designer Harvey Postlethwaite, who had been recruited from March by Hesketh. Hunt finished third in the Dutch Grand Prix and second in the United States Grand Prix, and with two other finishes in the points ended up in eighth place in the World Championship. Hunt's success contributed entirely to March's fifth place in the 1973 Constructors' Championship.[4]
Roger Williamson, driving for the works team, was killed when his 731 overturned and caught fire at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Complete Formula One results
[edit](key)
| Year | Entrant | Engine | Tyres | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Points | WCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | March Racing Team | Cosworth DFV | G | ARG | BRA | RSA | ESP | BEL | MON | SWE | FRA | GBR | NED | GER | AUT | ITA | CAN | USA | 14 | 5th | |
| Henri Pescarolo | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Jean-Pierre Jarier | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | NC | 11 | ||||||||||||||
| Roger Williamson | Ret | Ret | |||||||||||||||||||
| Clarke-Mordaunt-Guthrie-Durlacher | Mike Beuttler | 7 | 11 | Ret | 8 | 11 | Ret | 16 | Ret | Ret | Ret | 10 | |||||||||
| Team Pierre Robert | Reine Wisell | DNS | Ret | ||||||||||||||||||
| LEC Refrigeration Racing | David Purley | Ret | DNS | Ret | 15 | 9 | |||||||||||||||
| Hesketh Racing | James Hunt | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 | Ret | DNS | 7 | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 1974 | Hesketh Racing | Cosworth DFV | G | ARG | BRA | RSA | ESP | BEL | MON | SWE | NED | FRA | GBR | GER | AUT | ITA | CAN | USA | 6* | 9th | |
| James Hunt | Ret | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Dempster International Racing Team | Mike Wilds | DNQ |
* All points scored by other March chassis
References
[edit]
- ^ "1973 March 731 Cosworth Specifications". Ultimatecarpage.com.
- ^ "March 731 • STATS F1". www.statsf1.com.
- ^ "March 731 Cosworth".
- ^ "1973 World Championship Results".
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