STORY OF THE DAY: Ferrari’s Number 17 Falls Short in the Matra Duel

Carlos Reutemann and Tim Schenken retired Ferrari 312 PB number 17 from the 1973 24 Hours of Le Mans. The works entry formed part of Ferrari’s direct battle with Matra for the World Championship for Makes, but mechanical failure ended its contribution before the finish.

Ferrari had skipped Le Mans during its dominant 1972 season, making the return especially significant. Number 17’s retirement narrowed the team’s options as Matra’s purpose-developed endurance programme prevailed, although another 312 PB carried Ferrari to second place.

For 1973, the 312 PB’s three-litre flat-twelve was enclosed beneath long-tail bodywork intended to improve Le Mans efficiency. The light semi-monocoque chassis and responsive engine still offered exceptional pace, but the full 24-hour distance imposed demands beyond the shorter championship races it had dominated.

Reutemann was an Argentine Formula One star in his second Grand Prix season; Schenken was an Australian driver with substantial Ferrari sports-car experience. Both were fast and technically capable, but neither could influence the mechanical outcome that removed number 17 from the contest.