Five champions

25. Apr 2024

by Ziv Knoll

6507 views

Five champions line up minutes before the start of the 1969 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. From left to right: Piers Courage, Jean-Pierre Beltoise, Jochen Rindt, Vic Elford and Jackie Oliver.

The race developed as a contest between Stewart and Rindt (who started on pole), and overtook each other by slipstreaming passed each other many times. (picture below).

Jackie Stewart (Matra-Ford MS80) was victorious, as he lapped the entire field including second placed Ickx (Brabham) and third placed McLaren (McLaren), and took his fifth win in six races.

Jochen Rindt (Lotus) crossed the line 4th, after he was forced to pit due to a puncture. Piers Courage finished 5th in a Williams entered Brabham and Vic Elford scored the last point by finishing 6th in a McLaren. Beltoise and Oliver had to retire with transmission issues.

Jackie Stewart dominated the 1969 Formula One Championship in his Matra-Cosworth, and was crowned World Champion for the first of three times.