The Stage for the 1968 German Grand Prix
The 1968 German Grand Prix was held at the Nürburgring circuit, widely considered one of the most challenging and dangerous tracks in Formula One history. Spanning nearly 23 kilometres (15 miles) through the Eifel Mountains, the circuit featured over 170 corners and extreme elevation changes. It earned the nickname “The Green Hell” for its unforgiving layout that punished the slightest mistake.
The Nürburgring’s length allowed drivers substantial room to build up significant leads over the competition. However, mastering the circuit’s twists and turns in good weather, required immense skill and bravery. In rainy or foggy conditions, the challenge was even bigger, and completing the lap without any major errors was already a difficult feat. To beat the competition by 4 minutes, it was something out of this world. So, how exactly did Jackie Stewart achieve this record? Here’s the breakdown of his success.
Treacherous Conditions For The Race
The 1968 German Grand Prix was held in treacherous wet conditions with low visibility due to fog. Rain poured down on the race day, creating large pools of standing water on the long circuit. With visibility down to just 30-40 metres in some areas, drivers were essentially driving blind into walls of water spray.
Some suggested postponing or cancelling the race for safety reasons. However, the dangerous conditions were ultimately deemed surmountable, and the race went ahead in the ruthless rainy weather. The 200 000 fans who gathered for the 1968 German Grand Prix were not disappointed with the show.
Jackie Stewart’s Incredible Margin of Victory
In the poor visibility, Jackie Stewart masterfully handled his V8 engine powered Matra MS10 and powered to the front of the pack. Despite starting from the 6th position on the grid, he emerged onto the lead, and even gained 9 seconds of advantage by the end of the 1st lap. He began building up a sizable lead immediately, his superior Dunlop wet tires giving him excellent grip in the slippery conditions.
While other drivers slid off course or lost control of their cars, Stewart was flying, perfectly in his element while others struggled. By the end of the first lap, he led Graham Hill by 9 seconds. After two laps, Stewart’s lead extended to a remarkable 34 seconds in the short time.
He continued to charge forward, leaving the competition far behind. Hill battled Chris Amon for second place, over a minute behind Stewart at that point. Not only both drivers were losing time to the leading Stewart, but ultimately they both spun out on the same lap. Hill was able to push his car out of the grass, and come back to the race, but he was already too far off the leading Jackie Stewart to even dream of catching up.
In the end, Stewart took the checkered flag with an utterly staggering winning margin of over 4 minutes and 3 seconds. It was the biggest win margin in F1’s history, a drive that cemented Stewart’s reputation as one of the all-time greats.
Reactions to the Incredible Achievement
Fans and pundits alike were astonished at Stewart’s genius wet-weather drive in the 1968 German Grand Prix
The brave Scotsman called the race a “teeth-gritting effort” but executed it flawlessly. Both Stewart himself and experts have declared it probably the best drive of his illustrious career.
All drivers who finished in the points were technically on the lead lap at the end due to the Nürburgring’s extreme length of nearly 23 km. So while Stewart’s margin seems improbable, his mastery of the circuit allowed him to utilize its full potential to dominate the field.
The 4-minute winning gap was unfathomable and a testament to Stewart’s supreme skills. It was a legendary drive for the history books, unlikely ever to be matched.
The Unlikeness of Stewart’s Victory
Beyond the record-setting margin, Stewart’s 1968 German GP victory represented a critical career moment and profound talent under difficult conditions. It undoubtedly gave him further confidence in his abilities while demonstrating vivid determination during pain.
What makes this achievement even more impressive (yes, it’s possible), Stewart drove despite recently breaking his wrist at the Indy 500. He gritted through the injury en route to producing perhaps Formula One’s most stunning victory against the odds. This drive was instrumental in propelling Stewart to 2nd position in Drivers’ Championship for that season.
Moreover, the race exemplified Stewart’s renowned car control talents. His smooth style allowed him to handle the nasty Nürburgring conditions while others floundered. It was a prime example of masterful driving resulting in domination.
The Victory Margin Record half a century later
Over half a century later since that mythical 1968 German GP, Stewart’s incredible winning margin record still stands. Technological improvements allowing greater reliability and consistency have made such sizable gaps near impossible in modern competitive Formula One. Currently, if a driver wins by margin of 10 seconds or more, fans deem the race boring, when a driver wins by 20 seconds, it’s called domination. Jackie Stewart won by over 240 seconds, equivalent to lapping the 2nd driver twice or trice.
A few dominant victories have yielded margins of 1 minute or slightly greater. But none have touched Stewart’s over 4-minute gap in tricky wet weather, requiring true driver skill. It is a legendary benchmark, unlikely ever to be surpassed. But who knows, maybe one day a new talent emerges, and the conditions make it possible to even attempt beating this record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Biggest Win Margin In F1?
The biggest win margin in F1 belongs to Jackie Stewart, who won the 1968 German Grand Prix with over 4 minute lead over the second driver.
Why was Stewart’s 1968 German GP win so impressive?
Stewart’s victory was astonishing due to the enormous 4+ minute margin and the terrible wet conditions. His car control skills shone while mastering a rain-soaked, dangerously foggy Nürburgring circuit.
How was a 4+ minute lead even possible back then?
The long Nürburgring layout measuring nearly 15 miles allowed substantial time gaps. Stewart perfectly utilized the circuit to build and extend a lead while others struggled in the weather.
Could a margin that huge ever happen again in modern F1?
No, Stewart’s gap is unlikely to ever be matched. Greater equality in modern F1 rarely yields such dominant displays. Better reliability also makes 4-minute gaps basically impossible now.
