The March 711 was a Formula One racing car, designed by Robin Herd and Geoff Ferris, for the 1971 season, and saw continued use throughout the 1972 season. It had a distinctive appearance with a front 'tea-tray' spoiler. Despite winning no races, works driver Ronnie Peterson finished runner-up in the 1971 Drivers' World Championship.

Race history

1971 season

In 1971, the March 711 was primarily entered by the works STP March Racing Team, initially with Ronnie Peterson and Alex Soler-Roig in Cosworth-powered cars and Andrea de Adamich in an Alfa Romeo-powered car. Soler-Roig was eventually replaced by Nanni Galli, and Niki Lauda also made a one-off appearance at the Austrian Grand Prix. During this season, Peterson finished second four times in Monaco, Great Britain, Italy, and Canada. The best qualification of the season was a fifth place for Peterson in Great Britain. Peterson finished second in the Drivers' World Championship behind Jackie Stewart and ahead of François Cevert. On the constructors' side, the team finished fourth, behind Scuderia Ferrari and ahead of Team Lotus.

During the 1971 season, Frank Williams Racing Cars entered a 711 for Henri Pescarolo. His best qualification was tenth place in Germany and Italy and his best result a fourth place in Great Britain, making him the only driver other than Peterson to score points in a 711. Skip Barber also entered a few Grands Prix with Gene Mason Racing. His best qualification was twenty-fourth in the Netherlands and Canada. However, he did not manage to finish any races. Finally, Mike Beuttler joined Clarke-Mordaunt-Guthrie Racing; his best qualification was sixteenth in Italy, but he did not finish the race.

1972 season

In 1972, the March 711 was entered full-time only by Team Williams Motul with Carlos Pace. His best qualification was eleventh place in Belgium, France, and Germany. The best result obtained was fifth place in Belgium which allowed him to score 3 points and to rank eighteenth in the world championship ahead of Tim Schenken and behind Andrea de Adamich. Speed International entered Ray Allen in the British Grand Prix but the car was unavailable. Finally, Skip Barber drove for Gene Mason Racing in the United States and Canadian Grands Prix. His best weekend was that of Canada, with a qualification in twentieth position and sixteenth place in the race.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantEngineTyresDrivers123456789101112PointsWCC
1971STP MarchFord Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8FRSAESPMONNEDFRAGBRGERAUTITACANUSA33 (34)4th
Ronnie Peterson10Ret24258223
Alex Soler-RoigRetRetDNQRetRet
Nanni GalliDNS11Ret16Ret
Niki LaudaRet
Mike BeuttlerNC
Frank Williams Racing CarsGHenri PescaroloRet813Ret4Ret6RetDNSRet
Gene Mason RacingFSkip BarberDNQNCRetNC
Clarke-Mordaunt-Guthrie RacingMike BeuttlerRetDSQNCRet
STP MarchAlfa Romeo T33 3.0 V8Andrea de Adamich13RetRetNCRetRet130NC
Nanni GalliDNQRet1212
Ronnie PetersonRet
1972Team Williams MotulFord Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8GARGRSAESPMONBELFRAGBRGERAUTITACANUSA15*6th
Carlos Pace176175RetRetNCNCRet9Ret
Gene Mason RacingFSkip BarberNC16

* Includes points scored by other March chassis

Non-Championship Formula One results

(key) (races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantEngineTyresDriver12345678
ARGROCQUESPRINTRINOULVIC
1971March EngineeringCosworth DFVFNanni Galli5
Alex Soler-Roig8
Ronnie Peterson18216
Alfa Romeo T33Ret
Frank Williams Racing CarsCosworth DFVGRet
Henri PescaroloRet6RetRet
Clarke-Mordaunt-Guthrie RacingCosworth DFVFMike BeuttlerRet
Gene Mason RacingCosworth DFVFSkip Barber6
1972Team Williams MotulCosworth DFVGROCBRAINTOULREPVIC
Henri PescaroloRet
Carlos PaceRet
Luiz Bueno6
Sources: