March 711

Information

March 711-2 was the second works chassis built for March-STP’s Formula 1 program in the 1971 season. It began the year as the primary car for Swedish driver Ronnie Peterson. After a 10th place debut at the South African Grand Prix, Peterson went on to finish 2nd at the Monaco Grand Prix and at the non-championship Rhein-Pokalrennen, followed by a 4th place at the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. These results were key in helping him secure 2nd place in the 1971 Drivers’ Championship. By August 1971, Peterson moved to a new chassis, 711-6, and 711-2 became a spare.

The car played another important role later that season. At the Austrian Grand Prix on 15 August 1971, it was driven by a young Austrian newcomer, Niki Lauda, who made his Formula 1 debut in chassis 711-2. Lauda would go on to win three F1 World Championships, making this car historically significant as the first Formula 1 car he ever raced.

Mechanically, the car was powered by a 2,993 cc Ford-Cosworth DFV V8 engine paired with a Hewland FG400 five-speed manual gearbox. It featured independent suspension, coil springs with telescopic shock absorbers, and ventilated disc brakes on all four wheels. The bodywork included the distinctive 'Spitfire' front wing designed by Frank Costin, which contributed to the car’s unique aerodynamic profile.

In 1973, the car was sold to a Swiss collector who kept it for many years and commissioned a full restoration in 1996. After the restoration, the car competed successfully in the COPE Classic GP series, winning the championship in 1999 with notable performances at circuits like Silverstone, Monza, Nürburgring, Dijon, Zolder, Zandvoort, and Salzburgring.