1971 BRDC International Trophy

1971 BRDC International Trophy
combined Formula One/Formula 5000 race
Race details
Date 8 May 1971
Official name XXIII GEN/Daily Express BRDC International Trophy
Location Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire
Course Permanent racing facility
Course length 4.714 km (2.923 miles)
Distance 2 x 26 laps, 244.80 km (152.11 miles)
Pole position
Driver Matra
Time 1:20.0
Fastest lap
Driver United Kingdom Jackie Stewart Tyrrell-Cosworth
Time 1:20.5 (1st heat)
Podium
First Brabham-Cosworth
Second McLaren-Cosworth
Third Brabham-Cosworth
Graham Hill in the Brabham BT34 "lobster-claw" car which took him to victory in the 1971 International Trophy

The 23rd BRDC International Trophy meeting - formally the GEN/Daily Express BRDC International Trophy - was held on 8 May 1971 at the Silverstone Circuit, England. The race was run to Formula One and Formula 5000 regulations, and was held over two heats of 26 laps each, the final results being an aggregate of the two. Graham Hill emerged the winner in the unique Brabham BT34 lobster-claw car, designed by Ron Tauranac. It would be the two-time World Champion's last victory in a Formula One race. The 1971 event was also notable as one of the few competitive outings for the Lotus 56 gas turbine car. However, suspension failure on only the third lap of the first heat resulted in early retirement for driver Emerson Fittipaldi, although the car held together for long enough to take third place in the second heat.

The race incorporated Round 5 of the 1971 Rothmans European Formula 5000 Championship.