Italian Grand Prix 1964 - Race Schedule and Countdown

John Surtees secured a vital victory at Monza as Jim Clark's championship challenge collapsed with an oil leak while leading. The Ferrari driver inherited the lead when Clark's Lotus began trailing smoke, allowing Surtees to cruise to victory at Ferrari's home circuit before delirious Italian fans. The win kept Surtees' championship hopes alive heading into the final two races, though he still trailed both Hill and the hobbled Clark in the points standings.

Bruce McLaren claimed second place for Cooper-Climax, with Lorenzo Bandini completing Ferrari's joy with third place. Clark's retirement proved devastating to his championship hopes, as mechanical reliability once again undermined what should have been a title-winning season. The dramatic race at Monza set up a tense finale, with three drivers still capable of claiming the championship. Surtees' cool-headed drive under immense pressure at Ferrari's spiritual home demonstrated the mental strength that would prove decisive in Mexico.