Watch Jack Brabham push his car across the line to become World Champion

The World Championship remained open until the final race of the year at Sebring in Florida on December 12, 1959. Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks were all in the running and after practice on the airfield circuit Moss was fastest in his Rob Walker Cooper-Climax. Brabham was second fastest in his factory Cooper while Harry Schell ran a similar car under the Ecurie Bleue banner and was third on the grid.

Brabham took the lead at the start but Moss soon took over and began to build up an advantage. After five laps Moss went out with another broken transmission and it left Brabham leading his teammate McLaren. Cliff Allison was third in his Ferrari but he fell victim to clutch trouble and had to retire. Trintignant provided the late-race excitement as he bid for victory. With just a few hundred meters to go and Trintignant closing fast, McLaren ducked out from behind Brabham and took the lead, Trintignant followed and almost overtook McLaren as well – the two finishing just 0.6secs apart. Brabham had run out of fuel but he was able to push the car to the finish, although Brooks beat him to the line for third place.

However the Brabham’s hard earned fourth place was enough for him to be crowned Formula 1 World Champion.