1969 Formula 1 World Championship
Graham Hill Crashed Seriously in American F1 Race
With three races still to run in the 1969 Formula 1 season the World Championship had already been decided. Jackie Stewart’s win in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza secured the Scotsman’s maiden title.
Ickx Victorious in Canadian Grand Prix
The 1969 Canadian Grand Prix took place at the scenic Mosport Park circuit. Pole position went to Brabham driver Jacky Ickx. Jean-Pierre Beltoise was second fastest in his Matra, followed by Jochen Rindt and newly confirmed World Champion Stewart.
It was Rindt who made the best start, but Stewart was soon on the move. He took the lead on lap six, before Ickx found some speed and started challenging. The Belgian tried to take advantage of the traffic to execute a pass, but both cars ended up spinning. Stewart’s engine died and he was out. Ickx got going and went on to win the race from his employer Jack Brabham. Rindt finished third, ahead of Beltoise, Bruce McLaren and Johnny Servoz-Gavin, Backmarker Al Pease was black-flagged during the race for being too slow.
Hill Seriously Injured at Watkins Glen
Rindt was fastest in qualifying for the US Grand Prix, the penultimate round of the 1969 Formula 1 season. Denny Hulme was second on the grid in his McLaren, followed by Stewart and Graham Hill.
Rindt kept the lead away from the line, while Stewart moved up to second place. The two drivers swapped the lead between themselves before Stewart was forced out by an engine failure. Rindt won the race, with Piers Courage second, John Surtees third, Brabham fourth, Pedro Rodriguez fifth and Silvio Moser sixth. Hill was involved in a serious accident, during which he was ejected from his Lotus. It resulted in two broken legs for the British driver.
Hulme Wins Mexican Grand Prix for McLaren
The Brabhams proved to be very fast in Mexico at the end of 1969. Team owner Jack Brabham qualified on pole, with the similar car driven by Ickx second and Stewart’s Matra third. In fourth place was the McLaren driven by Hulme, and he would be the driver to watch on race day.
Stewart led the opening laps of the Grand Prix, before Ickx took over at the front. Hulme’s McLaren was working superbly, and he was in front a few laps later. After that he pulled away to win the race from Ickx. Brabham was third and Stewart fourth. The final World Championship points went to Beltoise in fifth and Jackie Oliver sixth.
1969 F1 World Champion Jackie Stewart
|
Latest Articles