Tyrrell 003
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| Category | Formula One | ||||||||
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| Constructor | Tyrrell Racing Organisation | ||||||||
| Designer(s) | Derek Gardner | ||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||
| Chassis | Aluminium monocoque | ||||||||
| Engine | Ford-Cosworth DFV 2993cc V8 Naturally aspirated mid-mounted | ||||||||
| Transmission | Hewland FG400 5-speed manual | ||||||||
| Fuel | Elf | ||||||||
| Tyres | Goodyear | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | Elf Team Tyrrell | ||||||||
| Notable drivers |  Jackie Stewart | ||||||||
| Debut | 1971 Spanish Grand Prix | ||||||||
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| Constructors' Championships | 1 (1971) | ||||||||
| Drivers' Championships | 1 (1971) | ||||||||
The Tyrrell 003 is a Formula One racing car which was designed for the 1971 Formula One season by Tyrrell's Chief Designer, Derek Gardner. It was effectively the same car as Tyrrell 001, with a redesigned nose section, longer wheelbase and narrower monocoque. Tyrrell 003 was a one-off design, its type number also serving as its Tyrrell chassis number. François Cevert drove the Tyrrell 002.
Conception
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When Ken Tyrrell, the team's owner, was disenchanted with the poor performance of March chassis during the 1970 season, he decided he would design and build his own car. He employed Derek Gardner to design it in secret at his own house. The project, codenamed "SP" which meant "Special Project" cost Tyrrell over £22,000 of his own money. The resulting car named Tyrrell 001 made its debut at Oulton Park at a non-championship race.
After the season had finished Gardner redesigned the some sections of the car, altering the airbox, remodelling the nose section, lengthening the wheelbase and slightly narrowing the monocoque. The redesigned car became known as the 002 and 003, which were chassis numbers given to each of the car's made for the 1971 season. The team also switched tyre supplier to Goodyear after Dunlop withdrew from F1.
Competition
Driven by Jackie Stewart, it debuted at the 1971 Spanish Grand Prix and won at the first attempt. Tyrrell and Jackie Stewart took advantage as Lotus and Ferrari struggled during 1971; they won six races with Stewart claiming his second World Championship. Interestingly, Stewart and team mate François Cevert used different chassis throughout both 1971 and 1972, with Stewart having exclusive use of 003 and Cevert competing with 002.
The 1972 season saw Lotus back on form with Emerson Fittipaldi challenging Stewart for the championship. 003 was not a match for the developed Lotus 72 and the Tyrrell team only won when the 72 failed to finish. Fittipaldi won the title that season by a comfortable margin. Despite scoring four wins with Stewart during 1972, 003 had come to the end of its racing life. Tyrrell 003 remains the Tyrrell team's most successful chassis. It is also the individual chassis that has scored the most Grand Prix wins in Formula One history.
The vehicle is currently on display at the Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Tyrrell 003 was replaced by 005 for 1973.
References
- Formula 1 official website-1971 Tyrrell team statistics
- Formula 1 official website-1972 Tyrrell team statistics
- Stewart, Jackie (2007). Winning Is Not Enough: The Autobiography. Headline. pp. 231–254 (chapter 10). ISBN 978-0755315376.
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