Complete calendar with 10 races
The 1965 Formula 1 season witnessed Jim Clark's second World Championship, won with overwhelming dominance that mirrored his 1963 triumph. The Scottish ace accumulated 54 points from six victories, finishing fourteen points ahead of Graham Hill and establishing himself as the defining driver of the 1960s. Clark's supremacy in the Lotus-Climax 33 combined natural brilliance with the technical excellence of Colin Chapman's latest creation, producing a championship performance that left his rivals trailing in his wake.
Clark's six victories from ten races demonstrated remarkable consistency and versatility across different circuit types. His wins at South Africa, Belgium, France, Britain, the Netherlands, and Germany showcased his ability to dominate on fast circuits, technical tracks, and everything in between. The Lotus 33 represented an evolution of the successful monocoque design philosophy, combining the lightweight construction and superior handling that had become Lotus hallmarks with improved reliability that had previously undermined their championship challenges.
Jackie Stewart burst onto the Formula 1 scene in spectacular fashion, finishing third in the championship in his rookie season with BRM. The young Scot demonstrated his extraordinary talent with podium finishes at Monaco, Belgium, and France, serving notice that a new star had arrived in Grand Prix racing. Stewart's smooth, precise driving style and analytical approach to racecraft marked him as Clark's natural successor as Scotland's premier driver. His debut season established the foundation for what would become one of the greatest careers in motorsport history.
Graham Hill secured second place in the championship with 40 points, winning Monaco for the third consecutive year and demonstrating his mastery of the principality's demanding street circuit. The BRM driver's consistency kept him in mathematical contention for much of the season, but he simply couldn't match Clark's relentless pace. Hill's professionalism and determination made him the measuring stick for the field, even as Clark consistently moved the benchmark beyond reach. His Monaco hat-trick cemented his reputation as the specialist at the sport's most prestigious venue.
The 1965 season marked a transitional period for several teams and drivers. John Surtees struggled with Ferrari before departing mid-season, highlighting the political tensions that plagued the Italian team. Dan Gurney continued his development with Brabham, while Bruce McLaren laid the groundwork for what would become one of Formula 1's most successful constructor teams. The season featured ten races across four continents, maintaining the championship's international character while teams began planning for the radical new 3.0-liter engine regulations set to debut in 1966.
Honda made significant progress in their Formula 1 program, with Richie Ginther scoring points and demonstrating that the Japanese manufacturer was committed to Grand Prix racing success. The season also saw the debut of several future stars and the continued evolution of safety equipment and circuit design, though the sport remained extraordinarily dangerous by modern standards. The competitive order was becoming established, with Lotus, BRM, Brabham, and Ferrari forming the leading group, while Cooper's former dominance continued to fade.
Lotus-Climax won the constructors' championship with 54 points, the same total as Clark's individual score, highlighting his complete dominance of the team's point-scoring. BRM finished second with 45 points thanks to strong performances from both Hill and Stewart. The season demonstrated that the era of multiple competitive teams had arrived, with victories being spread among the leading constructors and driver talent becoming the primary differentiator at the front of the field.
Clark's 1965 championship reinforced his status as the greatest driver of his generation. His combination of speed, consistency, and racecraft set standards that his contemporaries struggled to match. The season represented the peak of the 1.5-liter formula era, with teams having fully mastered the regulations before the upcoming change to 3.0-liter engines would reset the competitive order. Clark's dominance provided a fitting conclusion to Formula 1's most technically sophisticated period, even as the sport prepared for a new chapter of increased power and performance.