South African Grand Prix 1968 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Jim Clark opened the 1968 season with his 25th and final Grand Prix victory, dominating at Kyalami with the effortless brilliance that had defined his career. The two-time World Champion led teammate Graham Hill to a Lotus 1-2 finish, demonstrating that at age 32 he remained at the absolute peak of his powers. Clark's victory in the high-altitude conditions of South Africa showcased his complete mastery, winning by over 25 seconds and setting fastest lap to underline his superiority. The triumph would haunt the sport when Clark was killed just three months later, as it became painfully clear that Formula 1 had lost its greatest driver while he was still in his prime.

The race marked the debut of several significant technical developments, including wider tires and more powerful versions of the Cosworth DFV engine. Clark's Lotus 49B featured the latest Ford-Cosworth V8 and Firestone tires, a combination that proved unbeatable in the season opener. Graham Hill's second place demonstrated that Lotus possessed the strongest package in the field, with both drivers extracting maximum performance from Colin Chapman's elegant design. The team appeared poised to dominate the championship, with Clark the overwhelming favorite to claim his third title.

Jochen Rindt secured third place for Brabham-Repco, though the Australian team's aging Repco engine was clearly outmatched by the Cosworth-powered opposition. The race confirmed that the DFV had established complete dominance over its rivals, with the top six finishers all powered by Ford's V8. Clark's victory, achieved with characteristic smoothness and precision, provided no hint of the tragedy that would soon engulf the sport. The season that began with such promise at Kyalami would instead be remembered for devastating loss and Graham Hill's emotional championship triumph in the shadow of his fallen teammate.