1969 Spanish Grand Prix

1969 Spanish Grand Prix
The Montjuïc Circuit (1966–1975)
The Montjuïc Circuit (1966–1975)
Race details
Date 4 May 1969
Official name XV Gran Premio de España
Location Montjuïc circuit, Montjuïc, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Course Street Circuit
Course length 3.791 km (2.356 miles)
Distance 90 laps, 341.190 km (212.006 miles)
Weather Sunny, mild, dry
Pole position
Driver Lotus-Ford
Time 1:25.7
Fastest lap
Driver Austria Jochen Rindt Lotus-Ford
Time 1:28.3 on lap 15
Podium
First Matra-Ford
Second McLaren-Ford
Third Matra-Ford
Lap leaders

The 1969 Spanish Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at the Montjuïc circuit on 4 May 1969. It was race 2 of 11 in both the 1969 World Championship of Drivers and the 1969 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers.

There was a small field for this race, as the famous Targa Florio sportscar race was on the same day. This is one of only two Grands Prix where the winner finished two laps ahead of the runner-up, the other occasion being the 1995 Australian Grand Prix. This was the last race of the high wing era in Formula One. Both works Lotus cars suffered massive accidents when their suspension-mounted wing supports failed. Despite the narrow confines of the Montjuïc circuit, drivers Jochen Rindt and Graham Hill both survived. Chris Amon inherited the lead after Rindt's crash. Establishing a thirty-second lead, the New Zealander seemed to be on his way to his first Grand Prix victory until his engine seized on lap 56.[1] The lead was then gifted to Jackie Stewart, who then went on to win by a margin of two laps; one of his most dominant performances, on a circuit that would become synonymous with the danger and lack of professionalism he detested.[citation needed]

  1. ^ "Life Is All About Timing? Chris Amon and the Ferrari 312B…". Primotipo... 26 February 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.