The behind-the-scenes story of the epic 1973 Formula One Grand Prix season is revealed in this extraordinary fly-on-the-wall documentary, following JPS Team Lotus through a year of triumph, tragedy, frustration and elation.

Rightly regarded as one of the truly great sports films, If You’re Not Winning…You’re Not Trying grants unprecedented access to one of Formula One’s most famous teams at the height of its powers. Moving from race to race, cameras capture the on and off-circuit drama, including scintillating race action from famous tracks like Monaco, Silverstone, Monza and Zandvoort.

It is a rare chance to see – and hear – what happened inside the team before, during and after the era-defining races from the men at the heart of the action, including legendary team boss Colin Chapman, competition manager Peter Warr, reigning World Champion driver Emerson Fittipaldi and teammate Ronnie Peterson.

The film charts the story of the season as Team Lotus goes head-to-head with the Tyrrells of Jackie Stewart and Francois Cevert, discovering the mechanical woes, revealing team frustrations, joining celebrations and sharing the emotions of a season which would see Lotus secure the Constructor’s Championship in terrible circumstances.

It is a rare glimpse into the highly-charged atmosphere of Grand Prix racing in the 1970s, witnessing the teams as news of crashes is received, feeling the tension as yet another car is stripped and rebuilt with just hours until the race, and hearing about the challenges faced by the drivers – including Emo’s burnt behind in Monaco!

In addition to racing action, trackside footage and the chance to watch the mechanics at work, throughout the film Chapman reflects on the highs and lows of 1973, offering a unique perspective on Formula One as a sport and business, handling drivers, coping with failure and dealing with the tragedy which dogged Grand Prix racing at the time.

Narration by legendary sports journalist Ian Wooldrige.

"'We don't ever get beaten in races, we lose them,' Colin Chapman opines in this classic documentary, re-released by Duke, which charts the highs and lows of Team Lotus's 1973 season. In particular, it concentrates on the battle with arch-rival Tyrrell for the makes' and drivers' crowns, with Chapman, Emerson Fittipaldi, Ronnie Peterson, Peter Warr and other luminaries contributing. Highlight for us, though, was the in-car footage of Jackie Stewart's qualifying lap at the Monaco Grand Prix - well, that and Emmo's sideburns, the Brazilian god being at the height of his Planet of the Apes facial hair fad. A must-have for all Lotus fans" Octane

"This is a great documentary on Lotus's championship-winning F1 season in 1973. You get to hear all the banter between owner Colin Chapman and drivers Emerson Fittipaldi and Ronnie Peterson, plus the great colour footage allows you to share in the team's joy. But you also share in the sadness when Tyrrell driver Francois Cevert is killed in the season's last race" Auto Express

"Fantastic warts-and-all documentary of Lotus's 1973 F1 season now on DVD. Listen in to team banter with chiefs Colin Chapman and Peter Warr and star drivers Emerson Fittipaldi and Ronnie Peterson as cast and crew face triumph and tragedy. Without doubt one of the best racing films ever made" Autosport

"Sometimes you wonder how long footage like this has been sitting around before it's found and shown the light of day; it's a behind the scenes documentary about JPS Team Lotus during the 1973 F1 season. Emerson Fittipaldi and Ronnie Peterson star behind the wheel, with Peter Warr and Colin Chapman on the pit will. Again, another gem pulled from the archive" Track Driver

• Product Code: 3999 
  
• Release Date: 30 April 2012
  
• Run Time: 60 minutes