Jackie and Jacky

From 1968 to 1973, these two great champions, so different in character, were at the top of their game and so were great rivals on the track. Jackie Stewart (left) won 27 Grand Prix and became a three-time world champion (1969-1971-1973), while Jacky Ickx, who deserved to clinch a world title in F1, won 8 Grand Prix and finished twice runner-up (1969-1970).

Stewart, fast, brave and smart, was always trying to use his notoriety to improve drivers’ safety, and Ickx more of a maverick, believed that danger was part of the game. His opinions later evolved.

The two rivals are seen here-above, in great spirits, in the Monza paddock, minutes before the start of the 1968 Italian Grand Prix. Note: One can notice that on Ickx’s race overall, his name is wrongly spelled, Jackie instead of Jacky.

Denny Hulme in his McLaren (picture below) won the race by quite a margin. Behind him there had been a lively battle between Johnny Servoz-Gavin (Matra) and Jacky Ickx (Ferrari), who finished second and third. Jackie Stewart (Matra) was forced to retire on lap 43, when his Cosworth engine failed.