French Grand Prix 1968 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Jacky Ickx claimed his maiden Formula 1 victory in torrential rain at Rouen-Les-Essarts, announcing his arrival as a future champion with a masterful wet-weather performance. The 23-year-old Belgian demonstrated exceptional car control in treacherous conditions, managing his Ferrari through the rain-soaked French circuit with maturity far beyond his limited experience. Ickx's victory in only his fourth Grand Prix start marked him as a generational talent, with his smooth inputs and precise judgment allowing him to exploit the slippery conditions that defeated more experienced rivals. The triumph represented Ferrari's return to winning ways after a difficult period, providing the Italian team with renewed hope.

The race at the beautiful but dangerous Rouen circuit was run in appalling conditions, with heavy rain creating a lottery that Ickx navigated with brilliant composure. John Surtees finished second for Honda, demonstrating his own exceptional wet-weather skills to guide the underpowered Japanese machine onto the podium. Jackie Stewart could only manage third place despite being the championship contender, unable to match Ickx's pace in the treacherous conditions. The young Belgian's victory in the rain established a pattern that would define his career, as Ickx became known as one of the greatest wet-weather drivers in motorsport history.

The French Grand Prix showcased the new generation of talent emerging to challenge the established order. Ickx's performance in the rain drew comparisons to Jim Clark, the greatest wet-weather driver of the era whose death still cast a shadow over the championship. The victory at Rouen launched Ickx's championship challenge, though his Ferrari would prove insufficiently reliable to mount a sustained title campaign. The race demonstrated that wet-weather conditions remained the ultimate test of driver skill, separating the truly great from the merely fast and providing the most dramatic racing of the season.