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Automobile racing

1964 Formula One World Championship Decider

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The 1964 Formula One World Championship concluded with one of the most dramatic deciders in motorsport history, as three drivers from different teams remained in contention for the title at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. Graham Hill for BRM, John Surtees for Ferrari, and Jim Clark at Lotus were the top contenders, each with their own unique story and skills that had brought them to this pivotal moment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 1964 Formula One World Championship saw a first in history, with three drivers from different teams in contention for the title.
  • John Surtees, the son of a motorbike dealer and a four-time motorcycle world champion, turned his hand to cars in 1960, ultimately joining Ferrari in 1963.
  • Enzo Ferrari affectionately called Surtees "Giovanni", while the team and fans hailed him as "Il grande John", a testament to his strong relationship with the team and the fans.
  • Jim Clark, the defending champion, had to win the Mexican Grand Prix to have a shot at the title, while Surtees needed to finish in front of Hill and Gurney to take the championship.
  • The race saw a dramatic turn of events, with Clark taking pole, Surtees in fourth, and Hill in sixth, but eventually dropping to 13th due to engine failure.
  • Bandini's Ferrari teammate, Lorenzo Bandini, fought his way back to third behind Surtees, but ultimately couldn't catch the British driver.
  • Surtees' title win marked the first time a driver had won the world championship in both Formula One and motorcycles, an achievement that remains unmatched to this day.

Statistics:

  • The 1964 Formula One World Championship saw a total of six drivers in contention for the title at the end of the season.
  • Surtees won four 500cc motorcycle world championships between 1956 and 1960, and three 350cc championships in the same period.
  • Clark suffered four retirements in the second half of the season, ultimately finishing the championship in second place.
  • Hill led the championship by five points, while Surtees was nine points behind Clark at the midpoint of the season.
  • The Mexican Grand Prix was the second and last time Ferrari did not run in the traditional rosso corsa scarlet, using the blue and white colours of the North America Racing Team instead.

Sources:

  • Formula 1: The Greatest Races by Giles Richards (Headline Publishing Group, £35).
  • Photograph: Bernard Cahier/Getty Images, depicting the 1964 Formula One drivers at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

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