Tyrrell 006

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Tyrrell 006
Category Formula One
Constructor Tyrrell Racing Organisation
Designer(s) Derek Gardner
Technical Specifications
Chassis Aluminium monocoque
Suspension (front) Double wishbone, outboard spring/damper.
Suspension (rear) Single top-link, parallel lower-links, twin radius arms, outboard spring/damper.
Engine Ford-Cosworth DFV 2993cc V8, naturally aspirated. Mid-engine, longitudinally mounted.
Transmission Hewland FG400 5-speed manual, ZF differential.
Fuel Elf
Tyres Goodyear
Competition History
Notable entrants Elf Team Tyrrell
Notable drivers Flag of France François Cevert,
Flag of the United Kingdom Jackie Stewart,
Flag of France Patrick Depailler,
Flag of South Africa Jody Scheckter
Debut 1972 Canadian Grand Prix,
Mosport Park.
 Races   Wins    Poles     FLs   
18 5 3 2
Constructors' Championships 0
Drivers' Championships 1 (1973)

The Tyrrell 006 was a Formula One car designed and built by the Tyrrell Racing Organisation. It was introduced towards the end of 1972. In the hands of Jackie Stewart it won the Drivers' Championship for the 1973 Formula One season, Stewart's third and final title. The car was first raced at the 1972 Canadian Grand Prix with Stewart's team-mate and protegé François Cevert at the wheel. The 006 was a very slightly reworked version of the preceding Tyrrell 005 car, but in contrast it was the first Tyrrell-built chassis to be replicated, the number 006 becoming a model- rather than chassis-number; previous Tyrrells were one-off constructions. In total there were three Tyrrell 006 models built: 006; 006/2; and 006/3. The 006 model was gradually phased out in the early part of the 1974 Formula One season as Tyrrell constructed the succeeding Tyrrell 007.

A Tyrrell 006, driven by John Delane, at the 2007 Silverstone Classic meeting, July 2007.
A Tyrrell 006, driven by John Delane, at the 2007 Silverstone Classic meeting, July 2007.

006 was built for Cevert to replace damaged chassis, while the existing 005 was retained by Stewart for the final races of 1972. Stewart continued to use 005 for the first two races of 1973 while 006/2 was in construction and took 006 to the model's first win, at the 1973 South African Grand Prix. On the completion of 006/2, 005 was reduced to testing duties and was often seen in practice sessions adorned with experimental and copy-cat parts. The drivers retained their respective chassis for the majority of the remaining 1973 races, Stewart scoring five victories on his way to the Drivers' Championship title. Cevert also took several podium finishes, but the season was closely fought and Tyrrell (82 points) were beaten to the Constructors' title by Lotus (92pts). Cevert damaged 006 in a collision during the Canadian Grand Prix, and a new chassis, 006/3 was built up for his use in the following US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. Tragically, it was in 006/3s only ever appearance, that Cevert was fatally injured when he crashed during practice for the final race of the season, in the. A devastated Stewart drove 006/2 once more and then walked away from F1.

Jackie Stewart's final Grand Prix car, Tyrrell 006/2, resting on a carpet of Royal Stewart tartan in the Donington Grand Prix Collection.
Jackie Stewart's final Grand Prix car, Tyrrell 006/2, resting on a carpet of Royal Stewart tartan in the Donington Grand Prix Collection.

Survivor 006/2 was used for the early races of the 1974 Formula One season. Jody Scheckter drove it in Argentina, Brazil and South Africa and Patrick Depailler used 006/2 as a fall-back after qualifying breakdowns in Spain, Monaco and France. After France, Tyrrell retired the 006 model in favour of the newer 007.