Jackie Stewart with 5 wins in the Tyrrell-Cosworth 005-6, gained his third Drivers' Championship. Emerson Fittipaldi with 2 wins in the Lotus-Cosworth 72D and a further win in the 72E, came second in the drivers' points and, together with Ronnie Petersons 4 wins, took the Constructors' title for Lotus.

Peterson led for more laps in the season than Stewart and Fittipaldi combined but was unlucky with the reliability of his cars and had to settle for third place as a driver. The season ended on a sad note with Francois Cevert involved in a fatal accident at Watkins Glen; Stewart withdrew from the race out of respect for his team mate and retired from racing.