In his first Grand Prix start of the 1971 season Mario Andretti driving for the Ferrari team qualified fourth on the grid for the South African Grand Prix. Run on the Kyalami circuit Andretti ran in the top six for the first half of the race. As the race was winding down, Andretti began to make his move on the leading McLaren of Denny Hulme. With four laps to go, Andretti had closed to one second behind Hulme. It was during these last four laps that suspension problems hit the McLaren car and Andretti grabbed the lead. When the checkered flag came out, Mario Andretti had won his first of many Grands Prix victories 21 seconds ahead of Jackie Stewart. (more…)