 John Surtees became the only man to win world titles both on bikes
and in cars. The feat came after an epic three-way title decider in Mexico City
reminiscent of a far-fetched Hollywood script. Having led that race comfortably from the
start, and in a position to be champion, Jim Clark's engine
failed on the very last lap. Graham Hill, leader of the
championship after the penultimate round, had earlier been delayed in a collision with Lorenzo Bandini's Ferrari, but now
Clark's demise briefly put him in line for the title. However, Bandini then slowed, giving
his team-mate Surtees second position in the race and the points he required to become
World Champion. Clark had led the series after three early wins. But in the second half of
the season Ferrari came to the fore, Surtees winning twice and Bandini scoring his only
Grand Prix victory in a race of attrition on the bumpy Zeltweg circuit in Austria.
Seemingly set for a successful defence of his title after five rounds, Clark's season was
blighted by poor reliability, a failing which would cost him the championship on that
final lap in Mexico. |
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Rang 1 |
Fahrer John Surtees |
Auto Ferrari |
Siege 2 |
Punkte 40 |