1971 March 711
With its revolutionary aerodynamic body and highly developed chassis, the March 711 was one of the more influential Formula 1 cars of its era. Named after founders Max Mosley, Alan Rees, Graham Coaker, and Robin Herd, March first appeared in 1969 with an ambitious plan to compete in as many as five different racing series. By the 1971 season, however, the company came to place greater emphasis on its F1 endeavours.
This was just the second Works car produced for March-STP’s 1971 campaign, and it began the season as the primary car for driver Ronnie Peterson. Peterson followed an inauspicious 10th-place debut at the South African Grand Prix with several competitive outings, finishing 2nd at both the Monaco Grand Prix and at the Rhein-Pokalrennen, and 4th a week later at the Dutch Grand Prix. Later that year this important March enjoyed one more notable superlative at the Austrian Grand Prix. A promising young driver was given his first chance at a Formula 1 event, but unfortunately, the car was unable to finish due to a steering issue. That driver was Niki Lauda who would later go on to win the Drivers’ Championship three times. This is the first car that he ever drove in a Formula 1 race.
RM Sotheby’s will be offering this example at their Monaco auction on the 14th May. For more information on this and other vehicles at the sale, click on the link below. Photo Credit: Jon Green ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's