Duke video archive: If you’re not winning…you’re not trying
The Duke classic video selection this week takes us back to the 1973 Formula 1 season, as the movie 'If You’re Not Winning…You’re Not Trying' captures Lotus in the thick of a fiercely competitive era
The behind-the-scenes story of the epic 1973 Formula 1 Grand Prix season is revealed in this extraordinary fly-on-the-wall documentary, following JPS Team Lotus through a year of triumph, tragedy, frustration and elation.
Rightly regarded as one of the truly great sports films, If You’re Not Winning…You’re Not Trying grants unprecedented access to one of F1’s most famous teams at the height of its powers. Moving from race to race, cameras capture the on and off-circuit drama, including scintillating race action from famous tracks like Monaco, Silverstone, Monza and Zandvoort.
It is a rare chance to see – and hear – what happened inside the team before, during and after the era-defining races from the men at the heart of the action, including legendary team boss Colin Chapman, competition manager Peter Warr, reigning world champion Emerson Fittipaldi and teammate Ronnie Peterson.
The film charts the story of the season as Team Lotus goes head-to-head with the Tyrrells of Jackie Stewart and Francois Cevert, discovering the mechanical woes, revealing team frustrations, joining celebrations and sharing the emotions of a season which would see Lotus secure the Constructor’s Championship in terrible circumstances.
It is a rare glimpse into the highly-charged atmosphere of grand prix racing in the 1970s, witnessing the teams as news of crashes is received, feeling the tension as yet another car is stripped and rebuilt with just hours until the race, and hearing about the challenges faced by the drivers – including Emo’s burnt behind in Monaco!
In addition to racing action, trackside footage and the chance to watch the mechanics at work, throughout the film Chapman reflects on the highs and lows of 1973, offering a unique perspective on Formula One as a sport and business, handling drivers, coping with failure and dealing with the tragedy which dogged Grand Prix racing at the time.
Narration by legendary sports journalist Ian Wooldrige.
Subscribe to watch the film plus other documentaries and events from previous years at our Duke page here!
Watch: If You’re Not Winning…You’re Not Trying
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