Dutch Grand Prix 1968 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Jackie Stewart claimed his first victory of the season at Zandvoort, leading Jean-Pierre Beltoise to a Matra 1-2 finish that announced the French team as serious championship contenders. Stewart's commanding performance in the Dutch seaside circuit demonstrated that he had fully recovered from his terrifying accident at Spa two weeks earlier, where he nearly drowned trapped in his overturned car. The victory showcased Stewart's exceptional speed and racecraft, with the Scot controlling the race from the front and managing the gap to his teammate with precision. The Matra MS10-Ford proved to be a beautifully balanced machine, perfectly suited to Stewart's smooth driving style.

The race marked the first Formula 1 victory for Matra as a constructor, validating France's substantial investment in Grand Prix racing. Beltoise's second place made the triumph even sweeter for the French team, demonstrating that they possessed not just a fast car but also the reliability and team organization necessary to compete at the highest level. Stewart's dominance sent a clear message to his rivals that he would be a major championship contender, establishing himself as the primary challenger to Graham Hill's title campaign. The Scot's victory at Zandvoort began a sequence of strong performances that would ultimately fall just short of the championship.

Pedro Rodriguez secured third place for BRM, continuing his impressive run of consistent finishes following his podium at Spa. The Mexican driver's performances in 1968 established him as one of the sport's most talented racers, though his career would be tragically cut short in a sports car accident in 1971. Stewart's Zandvoort victory demonstrated his resilience and mental strength, racing at the limit just weeks after his brush with death at Spa. The triumph marked the beginning of Stewart's emergence as Formula 1's dominant force, setting the stage for his championship years and his influential campaign to make the sport safer for all participants.