1975 Dutch Grand Prix

The 1975 Dutch Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Circuit Zandvoort on 25 May 1975. It was race 5 of 11 in both the 1975 World Championship of Drivers and the 1975 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers.
== Race Summary ==
For the third race in a row, safety was the major talking point of the weekend. Many drivers were hesitant to race around the fast and dangerous Zandvoort Circuit, despite the addition of a new chicane before the final corner. Jorge Fernandez pulled out of the race weekend due to safety concerns.
The rookie Sterling Eldridge-Moffat would surprise the entire grid by taking pole position on Saturday. Stefan Van Damme started second, with his title rival Mick Ashcroft lining up in third on the grid. Much of the media attention was focussed on the new Ferrari driver, Strip Weathers, who was given a race seat by the famous Italian team after Gunnar Olander was injured in the Belgian Grand Prix.
Eldridge-Moffat would lead the pack into the first corner, with Van Damme just about staying in second ahead of Ashcroft. Behind, there was chaos as Russel Coight span off the grid and was collected by Matthijs Bowknegt's Brabham. Both cars sustained heavy damage and would be retired later into the race. Later on the first lap, Mark Habets lost control of his March car on cold tyres and hit the wall, ending his race. Many Dutch fans immediately left the circuit in disappointment.
Nathan Meiri and the rookie Eder Fabre came into contact on the second lap, but both drivers were able to continue with minimal damage. Meiri was able to pass Strip Weathers on the start-finish straight but they collided at Gerlach Bocht and Meiri span, but miraculously escaped without damage again. The Lotus driver threatened to protest against Weathers but ultimately decided not to after talking to the Ferrari driver.
Eldridge-Moffat continued to lead on the third lap, just ahead of Stefan Van Damme. Approaching Tunnel Oost, the Hesketh rookie hit the inside kerb which threw his car into the outside wall. Van Damme was just able to avoid collecting Eldridge-Moffat's car as it careered across the circuit. The Hesketh driver had heavy damage but was able to limp into the pitlane for repairs. Van Damme held the lead of the race until the end, with Ashcroft finishing just one second behind. Nathan Meiri picked up his first podium despite an incident-filled race.
With this race, Van Damme extended his lead in the Drivers' Championship ahead of Ashcroft. Lotus maintained their lead of the Manufacturer's Championship over Ferrari by nine points.
Following a check-up after the race, it was found that Strip Weathers had fractured two of his ribs in his crash with Meiri. As a precaution, he missed the French Grand Prix.
== Race Classification ==
Pos	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps	Time/Retired	Grid	Points	 	 	 	 	
1 	Stefan Van Damme 	Lotus 	14 	19:11.826 	2 	9 	 	 	 	 	
2 	Mick Ashcroft 	Ferrari 	14 	3 	6 	 	 	 	 	 	
3 	Nathan Meiri 	Lotus 	14 	5 	4 	 	 	 	 	 	
4 	Strip Weathers 	Ferrari 	14 	6 	3 	 	 	 	 	 	
5 	Maria Parker 	McLaren 	14 	7 	2 	6 	Max Westland	Shadow	13	8	1
7 	Eder Fabre 	Embassy Hill	13 	4 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
8 	Giuseppe Ferrari 	Brabham 	13 	11 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
9 	Sterling Eldridge-Moffat	Hesketh 	12 	1 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
10 	Russell Coight 	Tyrrell 	9 	Accident 	9 	 	 	 	 	 	
11 	Matthjis Bouwknegt 	Brabham 	1 	Accident 	12 	 	 	 	 	 	
12 	Mark Habets 	March 	0 	Accident 	10 	 	 	 	 	 	
Category:Races