Mexican Grand Prix 1968 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Mexican Grand Prix

Mexico City Mexico

Complete

Nov 3, 1968 2:00 PM

Race Results

🥇Winner
Lotus-Ford
🥈2nd Place
McLaren-Ford
🥉3rd Place
Lotus-Ford

Race Summary

Graham Hill crowned his championship season with a commanding victory in Mexico City, delivering a perfect conclusion to Lotus's emotional campaign. The newly-crowned World Champion dominated at the high-altitude Hermanos Rodriguez circuit, controlling the race from the front and managing his pace to secure maximum points. Hill's victory completed a remarkable season of resilience and consistency, with the 39-year-old demonstrating that experience and determination could prevail even in the face of devastating loss. The triumph in Mexico provided catharsis for the Lotus team, allowing them to celebrate their championship success while honoring Jim Clark's memory.

Bruce McLaren finished second for his own team, securing McLaren's best-ever championship finish and validating the constructor's progression toward the front of the field. Jackie Oliver claimed third place for Lotus in only his second Grand Prix start, providing the team with a 1-3 finish that underlined their technical superiority. The race marked the end of an exhausting season for all competitors, with the emotional toll of Clark's death combined with the physical demands of a grueling championship taking its toll. Hill's Mexican victory allowed him to equal Jim Clark's final points total from 1965, a poignant symmetry that underscored the magnitude of the loss.

Jackie Stewart could only manage seventh place after his championship challenge had ended at Watkins Glen, leaving the Scot to rue his missed opportunities throughout the season. Stewart's 36 points represented an excellent debut season with Matra, establishing him as the clear favorite for future championships. Hill's title was sealed with 48 points from three victories and six additional podium finishes, demonstrating the value of consistency over raw speed. The Mexican Grand Prix brought closure to Formula 1's most emotionally charged season, with Hill's championship providing testament to the human spirit's capacity to find meaning and purpose even amid profound grief. The 1968 season would forever stand as a tribute to Jim Clark's memory and Graham Hill's indomitable character.