<< Prev Page 2 of 2 As the season wore on, the team continued developing the TS9 to increase its competitiveness. The most substantial change was the adoption of side-mounted radiators. As pioneered by Lotus, these were mounted in 'side-pods' on either side of the chassis. This not only improved the weight balance and eliminated the need for elaborate plumbing but also improved the car's aerodynamics. These changes were first tested late in the summer and eventually incorporated on second batch of three TS9s built, which from the start of the 1972 were known as TS9Bs.
While the car was a subtle evolution of the TS9 used late in 1971, the driver line-up was all new. Hailwood was awarded with a full season drive and was joined by Tim Schenken. Surtees himself only drove in the Italian Grand Prix. A third TS9B was fielded for Andrea de Adamich. Schenken debuted with an impressive fourth and the latest Surtees proved competitive throughout the year. Sadly, it was not particularly reliable but one did hold together long enough for Hailwood to finish second in the Italian Grand Prix. Team Surtees moved from 8th to 5th in the constructor's table.
In his one outing in 1972, Surtees drove the all-new TS14, which would go on to replace the TS9B in 1973. This was an altogether more sophisticated car but it was never as competitive as the TS9 and TS9B. Although Team Surtees would continue in Formula 1 through to the end of the 1978 season, the fifth place achieved in 1972 was never bettered. << Prev Page 2 of 2
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As the season wore on, the team continued developing the TS9 to increase its competitiveness. The most substantial change was the adoption of side-mounted radiators. As pioneered by Lotus, these were mounted in 'side-pods' on either side of the chassis. This not only improved the weight balance and eliminated the need for elaborate plumbing but also improved the car's aerodynamics. These changes were first tested late in the summer and eventually incorporated on second batch of three TS9s built, which from the start of the 1972 were known as TS9Bs.