The Grand Prix Drivers

A friend of mine has a simple saying which is “The name of the game is WINNING” and there is a racing team who used to say “Winning isn’t everything, but it’s a lot better than finishing second”. Results are the things that count in the long run and in the days when drivers used to be paid starting money on ther values, the driver who could present a list of victories collected during the previous season was the one who commanded most money. Nowadays starting money is paid to “union” rates, irrespective of previous performances, which is a good thing for some of our Grand Prix drivers. America and Canada have started paying on results, which makes results all the more important, but the main thing is that in ten years time we shall have forgotten most of what happened in Grand Prix racing in 1969 except for outstanding feats, though there were not many of those. The results book will be our only recollection of who did what; how he did it, or why, will be forgotten.

There follows a list of 1969 Grand Prix drivers and the results they achieved from the fourteen races held for Formula One cars to Grand Prix standards. Local drivers who only took part in one or two events have been ommitted. Stewart won the 1969 World Champonship for Drivers and a glance at his list will show that he was undisputed Champion of Grand Prix racing, with seven victories. At the other end of the scale Oliver should win some sort of Championship with his record of eight retirements, though he was closely challeneged by Rindt with seven retirements.
D. S. J.

Jackie Stewart
Matra MS80

1st : S. African Grand Prix
1st : Race of Champions
1st : Spanish Grand Prix
1st : Dutch Grand Prix
1st : French Grand Prix
1st : British Grand Prix
1st : Italian Grand Prix
2nd: German Grand Prix
3rd : International Trophy
4th : Mexican Grand Prix
9th : Gold Cup
Retired, Monaco Grand Prix
Retired, Canadian Grand Prix
Retired, United States Grand Prix

With the Matra MS80 he set the pace from the beginning of the season and was the man/machine combination to beat.

Jackie Ickx
Brabham BT26

1st : German Grand Prix
1st : Gold Cup
1st : Canadian Grand Prix
2nd : British Grand Prix
2nd: Mexican Grand Prix
3rd : French Grand Prix
4th : International Trophy
5th : Dutch Grand Prix
Retired, S. African Grand Prix
Retired, Race of Champions
Retired, Spanish Grand Prix
Retired, Monaco Grand Prix
Retired, Italian Grand Prix
Retired, United States Grand Prix

Not the complete driver as he excels alt some circuits and not others. Proved that the Brabham chassis is not as out-dated as it may appear.

Graham Hill
Lotus 49B

1st : Monaco Grand Prix
2nd: S. African Grand Prix
2nd : Race or Champions
4th : German Grand Prix
6th : French Grand Prix
7th : International Trophy
7th : Dutch Grand Prix
7th : British Grand Prix
Retired, Spanish Grand Prix
Retired, Italian Grand Prix
Retired, Canadian Grand Prix
Retired, United States Grand Prix

Achieved the remarkable feat of winning at Monte Carlo for the fifth time. Had a serious accident at the United States G.P. Now recovering well.

Jochen Rindt
Lotus 49B

1st : United States Grand Prix
2nd: International Trophy
2nd: Gold Cup
2nd: Italian Grand Prix
3rd : Canadian Grand Prix
4th : British Grand Prix
Retired, S. African Grand Prix
Retired, Race of Champions
Retired, Spanish Grand Prix
Retired, Dutch Grand Prix
Retired, French Grand Prix
Retired, German Grand Prix
Retired Mexican Grand Prix

The only driver to challenge Stewart seriously throughout the season. Looked as if he would win more than one race. British GP battle was a classic.

Jack Brabham
Brabham BT26

1st : International Trophy
2nd: Canadian Grand Prix
3rd : Mexican Grand Prix
4th : United States Grand Prix
6th : Dutch Grand Prix
Retired, S. African Grand Prix
Retired, Race of Champions
Retired, Spanish Grand Prix
Retired, Monaco Grand Prix
Retired, Italian Grand Prix

Can still show a remarkable num of speed when he feels like it. Missed the middle part of the season due to a bad accident while testing.

Denis Hulme
McLaren M7A