This was the first time since 1971 that the first race of a season did not feature the defending Drivers' Champion in the field (in 1971, Jochen Rindt was missing as he was killed in 1970).
Esta foi a primeira vez desde a tempada de Fórmula Un de 1971 que a primeira carreira dunha tempada non contou co Campión de Pilotos defendendoo na pista (en 1971, Jochen Rindt non estivo porque morrera en 1970).