Jim Clark wins the French Grand Prix 1965

Check out the lovely footage of the 1965 French Grand Prix at the Circuit Louis Rosier at Clermont Ferrand.

The track had hosted the Trophee d’Auvergne Formula 2 race in July 1964, which had been won by Denny Hulme, and in 1965 the Automobile Club de France decided that it should replace Reims as the venue for the French Grand Prix.

Jim Clark in the Lotus 25 continued to impress with his blinding speed and took pole from young Jackie Stewart’s BRM and Lorenzo Bandini’s Ferrari. Next up was John Surtees (Ferrari) followed by Dan Gurney (Brabham),  Hulme, Ritchie Ginther (Honda) with Chris Amon’s Reg Parnell Racing Lotus on the third row. Graham Hill was lucky to be on the starting grid at all following a massive shunt when his throttle stuck open. He managed to salvage some pride and started 13th.

When the flag dropped Clark sped off into the lead and was never headed. During the second lap Stewart was able to get ahead of Bandini and he chased Clark in vain for rest of the day. Gurney and Surtees also overtook Bandini and then Surtees passed Gurney for the final spot on the podium.