1969 British Grand Prix
The 1969 British Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at the Silverstone Circuit on 19 July 1969. It was race 6 of 11 in both the 1969 World Championship of Drivers and the 1969 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. Jackie Stewart was victorious, as he lapped the entire field and took his fifth win in six races.
| 1969 British Grand Prix | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Silverstone Circuit (1952–1974) | |||
| Race details | |||
| Date | 19 July 1969 | ||
| Official name | XXII RAC British Grand Prix | ||
| Location | Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire, England | ||
| Course | Permanent racing facility | ||
| Course length | 4.711 km (2.927 miles) | ||
| Distance | 84 laps, 395.724 km (245.891 miles) | ||
| Weather | Overcast, dry | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | Lotus-Ford | ||
| Time | 1:20.8 | ||
| Fastest lap | |||
| Driver | Jackie Stewart | Matra-Ford | |
| Time | 1:21.3 on lap 57 | ||
| Podium | |||
| First | Matra-Ford | ||
| Second | Brabham-Ford | ||
| Third | McLaren-Ford | ||
|
Lap leaders | |||
The race developed as a contest between Stewart and Jochen Rindt who constantly overtook each other by slipstreaming. It was on one of these occasions towards the end when Stewart signalled to Rindt as he drew alongside that the end plate of his rear wing had come loose and was fouling the left-rear tyre each time Rindt flung his Lotus through a fast right-hander. Rindt was able to confirm this in his mirror and was forced to pit. However, his team failed to put enough fuel into the car to enable him to finish the race and consequently he was obliged to make a further stop. The race was also notable for being the only race that Cosworth entered. Their car was withdrawn weeks before the race weekend.