British Grand Prix 1968 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Jo Siffert scored his maiden Grand Prix victory at Brands Hatch, driving Rob Walker's private Lotus 49B to a surprise triumph that underlined the competitiveness of customer teams in the DFV era. The Swiss driver's victory came after both works Lotus cars retired with mechanical problems, leaving Siffert to battle Ferrari's Chris Amon and Jacky Ickx for the win. Siffert's aggressive, committed driving style suited Brands Hatch's challenging layout perfectly, with the privateer outdriving the factory Ferrari team to claim an emotional first victory. The triumph demonstrated that independent teams with access to the Cosworth DFV could compete on equal terms with manufacturer-backed operations.

The race marked the first appearance of crude aerodynamic wings on Formula 1 cars, with teams beginning to explore downforce generation as the next frontier in performance development. These early wings were mounted high above the cars on spindly supports, creating dramatic visual impact while providing modest aerodynamic benefit. The introduction of wings represented the beginning of Formula 1's aerodynamic revolution, though the hastily engineered devices would soon prove dangerously inadequate. Siffert's victory was achieved without wings, demonstrating that driver skill and chassis balance remained paramount even as the sport began its transformation into an aerodynamic competition.

Chris Amon's second place extended his agonizing run of near-misses, with the New Zealander once again proving fast enough to win but unable to convert pace into victory. Amon's Ferrari career would be defined by exceptional speed undermined by mechanical unreliability and cruel luck. Ickx completed a Ferrari 2-3 finish, with the Italian team demonstrating strong pace despite losing to the privateer Lotus. Siffert's Brands Hatch victory represented a career highlight for the popular Swiss driver, who would become one of the sport's most respected competitors before his tragic death in 1971. The triumph also vindicated Rob Walker's commitment to private racing, proving that independence could still prevail in Formula 1's increasingly professional era.