Prior to the commencement of the 1972 season, sponsorship changes saw Lotus adopt the John Player Special (JPS) colours and McLaren backed by Yardley. Although the Lotus-Cosworth 72D assisted Emerson Fittipaldi to win his first World Championship title and gave Lotus the Constuctors’ trophy, it was by no means an easy season for them.

Whereas Fittipaldi won 5 races, Jackie Stewart in Tyrrell 003 or 005 won 4 races and led the field more regularly. Lotus and Tyrrell each gained 3 pole positions whilst Ferrari achieved 4, but the latter proved less reliable in races with just one win. Denny Hulme and Francois Cevert drove well to gain third place in the Constuctors’ trophy for McLaren with the Cosworth-engined M19C.

Ross Wardle’s artwork depicts Emerson Fittipaldi in the Lotus leading the British GP at Brands Hatch from Jackie Stewart in his Tyrrell. These 2 drivers fiercely contested the championship in the early seventies with the titles alternating between them for 4 consecutive seasons (1971-74).