What happened on this day, June 9 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1963
Jim Clark clinched victory at the 1963 Belgian Grand Prix starting from the third row behind pole-sitter Graham Hill. Clark made a phenomenal start, overtaking Hill during the first lap of the 8.76-mile circuit. Despite rain later in the race, Clark maintained his lead and finished comfortably ahead of Bruce McLaren, driving for Cooper, securing a commanding win in challenging conditions.
1968
At the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, Bruce McLaren, driving for the team he founded, clinched McLaren‘s first Formula One victory. The race saw various teams experimenting with aerodynamic wings after Lotus introduced them at Monaco. While McLaren believed he had secured second place, he was unaware that Jackie Stewart, the race leader, had run out of fuel on the final lap and had to pit, thus handing the win to McLaren. The event was marred by Brian Redman’s Cooper crashing and catching fire, although he miraculously survived with a broken arm and minor burns.
1974
Jody Scheckter achieved his first Formula 1 victory at the 1974 Swedish Grand Prix in Anderstorp, having started second on the grid. He took the lead from Patrick Depailler, who was on pole for the first time. Despite James Hunt’s pursuit in his Tyrrell, he couldn’t catch Scheckter, who not only claimed his maiden championship win but also became the sixth different winner in the first seven races of the 1974 season.
2002
At the 2002 Canadian Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher led Ferrari to its 150th race win in Formula 1, finishing ahead of David Coulthard and teammate Rubens Barrichello. Schumacher opted for a one-stop strategy, contrasting with the two-stop approach taken by Juan Pablo Montoya and Barrichello. The race dynamics changed when Jacques Villeneuve’s BAR stalled, prompting a safety car that bunched up the field. Schumacher capitalised on this, cruising to his fifth Montreal victory and tightening Ferrari’s grip on the championship.
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