1975 Canadian Grand Prix

The **1975 Canadian Grand Prix** was a Formula One motor race held at Mosport Park on 7th September 1975. It was race 10 of 11 in both the 1975 World Championship of Drivers and the 1975 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers.

Nathan Meiri won his first race, with Stefan Van Damme finishing second and Strip Weathers finishing third. Van Damme's podium finish confirmed him as the 1975 champion with one race remaining.

## Race Summary

Following a heavy crash in the Italian Grand Prix, Vadim Pshenichnikov was declared unfit to race and was being held in hospital in Milan for observation. Speaking to the Italian media, the Soviet driver expressed disappointment at not being able to race for what he saw as a "minor injury", despite having a completely snapped Tibula. He mysteriously disappeared from hospital on the weekend of the Canadian Grand Prix and was last seen near Malepensa Airport. His current location is unknown.

Stefan Van Damme started from pole position for the sixth time this season, having missed the previous race at Monza. He was followed by Gunnar Olander and Nathan Meiri, with his championship rival Mick Ashcroft starting from fourth.

There was an incident moments before the race start as Matthjis Bouwknegt's Brabham car lurched forward on the grid, hitting his teammate as well as the Ferrari's of Ashcroft and Olander ahead. The Dutch driver's foot had accidentally slipped off the clutch, causing his car to move forward from its grid spot. Both Ferrari cars started the race with heavy suspension damage due to the crash and Ashcroft was given a penalty, much to the bemusement of his team and the fans watching. This was unfortunate for Ashcroft, as Van Damme just needed a podium finish to clinch the championship.

Following the pre-race incident, the race start was clean and the front of the field maintained their positions for much of the first lap. Nathan Meiri slipstreamed his way past Olander's Ferrari on the main straight and the two drivers briefly went side-by-side through turn 8 before Olander's car slid off the circuit due to low track grip and cold tyres. He escaped without damage but returned to the track in sixth behind Amor's Tyrrell.

Ashcroft served his drive-through penalty, expressing his anger towards the race officials with some hand gestures as he drove past. He emerged at the back of the pack as his rival Van Damme started to pull away at the front.

On lap 3 Poddel Noyeimya, McLaren's reserve driver, dipped a wheel onto the grass at turn two and smashed into a concrete wall lining the circuit. He was unhurt in the crash, but retired from the race immediately. Meanwhile, Olander was having trouble finding a way past Scott Amor, but finally got past with a brave move around the outside at turn 4. Amor made a mistake at the final corner and had to limp back to the pits for repairs.

Olander caught up to Meiri by lap 11 but was unable to pass due to the Lotus' superior straight line speed. Olander also complained after the race about Meiri's apparent weaving on the straight but the stewards took no further action. Approaching turn nine, the suspension on Olander's Ferrari partly failed and he span, hitting the wall. Although he continued driving, his car had even more damage and his pace dropped considerably.

Stefan Van Damme was leading by around ten seconds from his teammate Nathan Meiri when he started slowing up on the penultimate lap. He had promised to repay Meiri after being let through to win both the Austrian and British Grand Prix. Meiri passed Van Damme as they started the final lap and the two Lotus drivers cruised through to get their second 1-2 finish of the season.

Further behind, Olander's pace dropped even more as his tyres started wearing more. On the final lap, with Weathers and Ashcroft not far behind, he once again span at turn 9 but managed to not hit the wall. His car rejoined the circuit backwards and into the path of Max Westland, who slowed but was unable to avoid crashing into Olander. Although the crash damaged the Ferrari car even more, Olander was able to just get to the finish line to be classified fifth, having been passed by both Weathers and his teammate. Westland was able to finish the race with damage just ahead of Barzalli and Amor. Olander was given a medical checkup after the race and was deemed unfit to race at the final race of the season in Watkins Glen, ending an unlucky season early for him.

Shortly after the race, it was reported that Matthijs Bouwknegt had left Brabham with immediate effect following the pre-start crash and retiring on the second lap. It is unsure whether Brabham will hire a replacement driver for the final race of the season or run with a single car.

Van Damme's second place finish meant that Ashcroft could no longer catch him in the championship and therefore Van Damme was crowned the 1975 Driver's Champion.