F1 One-Time Winners of the 1970s: Their Only Victory

While we are more focused on forgotten teams and projects, from time to time we also bring forgotten F1 drivers in different ways. Some we have covered as drivers who started fewer than 30 races in F1, while others had unique stories throughout their careers. Now we continue with drivers who won just once, starting with the One-time winners of the 1970s.

The 1970s produced some of F1’s most unforgettable drivers, races, and moments. It was an era when victories could come from unexpected places, with talented drivers often finding themselves fighting against the established stars of the grid. For some, a race win was the beginning of a successful career; for others, it became a single, extraordinary moment that was never repeated.

One-time winners of the 1970s in F1

However, if we look back, most drivers with just one win came from the 1950s. In the 1960s there were fewer, and the 1970s had fewer still, while the number dropped even further through the 1980s and later. Things changed a lot in F1, as dominant teams became increasingly difficult to beat, especially from the turbo era onward.

Peter Gethin and the Closest Finish in F1 History

Peter Gethin’s only F1 victory came at the 1971 Italian GP at Monza, and it remains one of the most dramatic finishes F1 has ever witnessed. Driving for BRM, Gethin found himselv involved in an extraordinary slipstream battle on Monza’s incredible fast layout, rather than one driver dominating the final laps, several cars remained within striking distance of victory right until the finish.

Gethin eventually crossed the line just 0.01 seconds ahead of Ronnie Peterson, the margin was so tiny that five drivers finished within less than a second of one another, the victory was Gethin’s only F1 win, but it gave him a permanent place in F1 history, his average speed of 242.615 km/h was also extraordinary for the period and remained the fastest average speed recorded in F1 race for more than three decades.

That record stood until 2003, when Michael Schumacher broke it at Monza with an average speed of 247.585 km/h.

François Cevert’s One Victory Before Tragedy

Francois Cevert was widely regargded as one of the most naturally gifted young drivers at the time, and his only F1 win came at the United States GP in 1971 at Watkins Glen.

Driving for Tyrrel, Cevert was already established as Jackie Stewart’s teammate and protégé, however, he stepped out of Stewart’s shadow and claimed his first victory in F1. Cevert started from P5 and took the lead from Stewart early in the race and dominated the race, even after briefly running wide, he recovered and continued toward a commanding victory.

His margin over Jo Siffert was around 40 seconds, the win appeared to be the beginning of much bigger, yet his career would never provide the opportunity to prove just how far he could go.

His one F1 win remains a poignant reminder of a career that promised far more.

Related Content: The Last lap of Francois Cevert

Jean-Pierre Beltoise and a Legendary Monaco Victory

Jean-Pierre Beltoise’s only F1 win came at one of the championship’s most famous venues, the 1972 Monaco GP.

Driving the BRM P160B, Beltoise produced an extraordinary performance in torrential rain around the streets of Monte Carlo, the track was already considered one of the most difficult circuits in the world, and the condition transformed it into an even greater test, he started 4th but he took the lead from the first corner after a great start and controlled the race while many of his rivals struggled with the wet track.

What made his victory even more remarkable was that Beltoise had limited movement in his left arm, yet Beltoise delivered an outstanding performance to win the race by more than 38 seconds ahead of Jacky Ickx, producing one of the most memorable victories of the era.

For Beltoise, it was his only win in F1, while for BRM, it was their final victory in F1.

José Carlos Pace and Brazil’s Emotional 1-2

Jose Carlos Pace finally reached the top step of the podium at the 1975 Brazilian GP, and few victories of the decade carried a stronger emotional connection with the crowd. A native Sao Paolo, Pace was competing at the original Interlagos circuit in front of his home fans, starting sixth in the Brabham BT44B, he gradually worked his way forward during a demanding race.

Pace eventually moved into the lead after Jarier’s car broke down, then held on to victory ahead of fellow Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi, creating a memorable Brazilian one-two finish.

It was Pace’s first and only F1 win, he passed away two years later at the age of 32.

Interlagos was later renamed the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in his honor, ensuring that his name would forever remain connected with Brazilian motorsport.

Jochen Mass Victory in Spain

Jochen mass also recorded his only F1 win in 1975, winning the Spanish GP at Montjuic circuit in Barcelona.

Mass drove the McLaren M23 strongly and moved into contention for the lead. Then the incident happened and the race was stopped, giving Mass his only F1 victory.

That same race also saw Lella Lombardi become the only woman to score points in F1 history, finishing sixth.

Because the event had covered less than three quarters of its scheduled distance, half points were awarded.

Editor’s Note: We will not go into further details about the incident in that race, as this article is focused on the one-time winners of the 1970s.

Related Content: Forgotten driver of the past, Giancarlo Baghetti: The Man Who Won F1 on His Debut

Vittorio Brambilla’s Famous Wrecked Victory

Vittorio Brambilla’s only F1 victory may be one of the strangest ever recorded, at the Austrian GP in 1975, heavy rain transformed the Österreichring into an extremely difficult circuit, Brambilla, driving for March, proved exceptionally quick in the conditions and charged forward from eight on the grid.

He eventually took, the rain became so severe that officials stopped the race after 29 laps, Brambilla had secured the victory, but what happened moments later became legendary.

While celebrating as he finished the finish line, Brambilla lost control of his car and crashed into the pit wall, the car suffered substantial front-end damage, yet Brambilla managed to restart it and complete his lap of honor.

The victory remained his only F1 win!

Gunnar Nilsson and a Career That Ended Too Soon

Gunnar Nilsson’s victory at the 1977 Belgian GP was perhaps the most heartbreaking of all, driving the Lotus 78, Nilsson demonstrated the extraordinary potential that had already made him one of F1’s most exciting young talents.

At Zolder, changin weather conditions created a difficult race, but Nilsson adapted brilliantly, starting third, he worked his way toward the front before producing a memorable move around the outside of reigning World Champion Niki Lauda.

Nilsson went on to win the race, with Ronnie Peterson finishing third.

At just 28 years old, Nilsson appeared to have years of F1 success ahead of him, but he passed away a year later in 1978 at only 29.

Nilsson never had the chance to add another race win to his record, his Belgian triump consequently became the defining achievement of a career that ended just as it seemed to be beginning!

FEATURED IMAGE CREDITS: Gillfoto, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One-Race Wonders of the 70s (Part 1): The Forgotten F1 Debuts