March 731


The March 731 was a Formula One racing car designed by Robin Herd of March Engineering for the season which saw continued use through.
While unsuccessful in the hands of the works team, private entrant Hesketh Racing had some success with James Hunt driving.

Design history

March had expended much time and effort in developing the previous season's 721 model, and so for 1973 they modified the existing 721G models, moving the radiator to the front and revising the bodywork.

Racing history

The works' 731 was primarily raced by Jean-Pierre Jarier without much success, and various private teams fared little better, with the notable exception of Hesketh Racing. Their car, driven by James Hunt in his first season in F1, had various modifications carried out by designer Harvey Postlethwaite, who had been recruited from March by Hesketh. Hunt finished third in the Dutch Grand Prix and second in the United States Grand Prix, and with two other finishes in the points ended up in eighth place in the World Championship. Hunt's success contributed entirely to March's fifth place in the 1973 Constructors' Championship.
Roger Williamson, driving for the works team, was killed when his 731 overturned and caught fire at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Complete Formula One results

YearEntrantEngineTyresDrivers123456789101112131415PointsWCC
March Racing TeamCosworth DFVARGBRARSAESPBELMONSWEFRAGBRNEDGERAUTITACANUSA145th
March Racing TeamCosworth DFVHenri Pescarolo8145th
March Racing TeamCosworth DFVJean-Pierre JarierRetRetRetRetRetNC11145th
March Racing TeamCosworth DFVRoger WilliamsonRetRet145th
Clarke-Mordaunt-Guthrie-DurlacherCosworth DFVMike Beuttler711Ret811Ret16RetRetRet10145th
Team Pierre RobertCosworth DFVReine WisellDNSRet145th
LEC Refrigeration RacingCosworth DFVDavid PurleyRetDNSRet159145th
Hesketh RacingCosworth DFVJames Hunt9643RetDNS72145th
Hesketh RacingCosworth DFVARGBRARSAESPBELMONSWENEDFRAGBRGERAUTITACANUSA6*9th
Hesketh RacingCosworth DFVJames HuntRet96*9th
Dempster International Racing TeamCosworth DFVMike WildsDNQ6*9th

* All points scored by other March chassis