Lotus had problems replacing the successful but ageing Lotus 72 (which debuted in 1970) with the troublesome Lotus 76 and, during the opening races of the championship, Ickx only managed a solitary third place in Brazil.
Lotus tivo problemas substituíndo o éxitoso, pero xa envellecido Lotus 72 (que tivo o seu debut en 1970) e durante o campionato Ickx só logrou un terceiro lugar en Brasil.