 In April Jim Clark crashed during the Deutschland
Trophäe F2 race at Hockenheim. The cause is still something of a mystery, but the man who
had set the pace in Formula One for six years was dead. Motor racing was sent into a state
of shock, and the added deaths of Ludovico Scarfiotti in a hill climb, Mike Spence during
practice at Indianapolis, and Jo Schlesser at the French GP further compounded a black
year for the sport. The responsibility for lifting the Lotus team
after Hockenheim was grasped by Graham Hill, who won the next
two Grand Prix and would eventually become World Champion for a second time. Lotus also
gave Mario Andretti his first chance in F1 at Watkins Glen and
the young Indycar star responded by putting his car on pole for his debut. The Ford Cosworth DFV was now widely available, and there were
first wins for both McLaren and the Ken Tyrrell run Matra team
using the engine. In addition Jo Siffert, driving for Rob Walker, and Jacky Ickx each scored their first Grand Prix victory.
Technically, the most visible development was the introduction of aerodynamic wings,
improving downforce and therefore increasing cornering speeds. So often the innovators,
Team Lotus brought Indianapolis-style commercial sponsorship to Grand Prix racing,
repainting its cars red and white in deference to Gold Leaf cigarettes. |
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Rang 1 |
Fahrer Graham Hill |
Auto Lotus Ford |
Siege 3 |
Punkte 48 |