Dignity and victory

Graham Hill is seen here-above, on his way to victory in his Lotus 49, ahead of Denny Hulme’s second placed McLaren M7A, at Jarama (Spanish Grand Prix) in 1968.

It was the first Grand Prix since the tragic death of Lotus leader Jim Clark the previous month at Hockenheim during a Formula 2 race, and the whole team was particularly devastated.

Journalist Peter Windsor remembers: “Graham at his brilliant best. Took all the mechanics out to dinner on the Saturday night, asking them to relax and to enjoy the moment. Less than six months before, Jim had won the first ever F1 race in Jarama, also in a Lotus 49.”

Picture below: Graham Hill with Denny Hulme and Brian Redman on the podium of the 1968 Spanish Grand Prix. The Brit, who literally carried Team Lotus after the drama, went on to claim his second drivers’ championship.