Stewart comes so close

Jackie Stewart, in his first Indianapolis 500 in 1966, seemed destined for victory (photo above). Indeed, at the wheel of his Lola T90-Ford entered by John Mecom, he had more than a lap’s lead with eight laps to go when his car’s oil pump failed, forcing him to retire.

It was his teammate Graham Hill, also a rookie in this event, who took the victory. Nevertheless, Stewart’s performance did not go unnoticed, and he was awarded the honorary title of “Rookie of the Year.” Small consolation for the Scottish driver, who would later become a three-time Formula 1 World Champion.

In F1, 1966 was a difficult year for Stewart driving the unreliable 3-litre BRM H16, but the brilliant Scotsman nevertheless won the Monaco Grand Prix driving a single-seater (BRM P261) powered by a reliable 2-litre engine, which was much better suited to the streets of the Principality.