During his entire Formula One career, Jim Clark raced in just 72 F1 Grands Prix. Of these 72 races, in 46 of them, something went wrong with the car which either slowed Jim down dramatically or dropped him out of the race completely. In the remaining 26 races, Jim Clark finished second on one occasion. In the remaining 25 races, Jim Clark won all of them......... This was during a time in-which Jim Clark raced against Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, Jack Brabham and John Surtees. Four men who won nine F1 World Championships between them. In the history of motor racing, it is not a matter of how you rate the drivers. There is Jim Clark....................................... and then there is everyone else.
Out of the 4 drivers mentioned, Graham Hill was the one man who could be considered as Clark’s greatest rival. After Clark’s death it was up to Graham Hill to carry on the 1968 season’s title fight for Lotus (that very year Colin Chapman signed Hill Sr. as the 2nd driver for the Lotus team), of which he won.
Spot on what Jackie Stewart said about the 'fragility' of Lotus cars and the results of that! Jim Clark and Jochan Rindt would testify to that as well as Mike Spence too. Ground breaking cars but Chapmans obsession with 'lightness' had consequences and is why Stewart (and a number of other drivers at that time) point-blank, refused to drive a Lotus racing car.
I really truly believe Jim Clark was simply the best ever driver, I respect the records of Schumacher, Senna and Hamilton, but Clark's win to start ratio is outstanding, and consider this, in F1 apart from one second place, if he finished he won, most people watching F1 probable don't really know much, if anything about Clark so don't include him in their top 5 drivers, a mistake.
@@joelbates8243 I am very sorry Joel, you are of course right, in my enthusiasm for Jim Clark I committed the ultimate sin of posting on RU-vid trying to remember facts and figures without detailed checks, however, Clark started 72 GPs won 25 and retired with car trouble, 23 times gained 32 podium finishes and 28 fastest laps, so given that he only finished 49 GPs I maintain his record is outstanding of winning virtually every other GP he compleated is outstanding, again defensively, I never remember a DNF caused by anything other than car trouble, never driver error.
Clark still holds the record for 8 Grand Slams, no other driver to date has beaten that, not Schumacher, not Hamilton, not Senna...and those drivers all competed in much much more GP races, Clark on races in 72 races, his win ration, pole ratio, fastest lap ratio are to this day still in the top 2 of all time, I think only Fangio has slightly better ratios in some of those categories.
There is nothing “mere” about being a Human Being... We are all made in the image of God... Therefore we all have access to the qualities and huge potential of our Creator that are locked up within us. Some of us are able to unlock that potential - in whatever capacity we choose to exert ourselves, and by maximising whatever unique gifts we are endowed with... While some of us only seem to falter at every “insurmountable barrier” - those who truly strive for greatness, regard all “insurmountable barriers” as merely *temporary obstacles* to be overcome... Yes, there are some people who seem to have “a natural gift” for certain activities that others lack - and Jim Clark definitely seemed to have such a gift - but true champions in almost every facet of life, also seem to possess an indomitable spirit that refuses to give up in the face of any hardship or adversity... Jim’s resolute response to the gearbox malfunction highlighted in this video was just such an example... Many other drivers - especially the more pampered ones of today - would undoubtedly have brought the car into the pits in similar circumstances. Nobody can repeatedly win at anything, if they give up when the going gets difficult. Jim Clark was also a Sheep Farmer, and Farming is a year round, hardy pursuit, where things don’t get done unless you get up very early and get out there, whatever the weather, and stay out there and see the job through until it’s done. So he brought both his God-given talent and his true grit and determination to the racetrack... and that is a formidable combination that has left him a lasting legacy. And the fact that he was clearly such a modest and amiable man, despite all of his spectacular success, makes him a much loved and endearing role model for all generations ... something that so many of today’s spoiled, arrogant and conceited “superstars” could learn a great deal from - except that they won’t - because such odious narcissists never give credit to their Creator for what He has bestowed them with, and genuinely think that everyone should pay homage to them as though they were God’s gift to Mankind... instead of the recipients of God’s gift... a gift that they have gratefully received and wisely made the most of... 😇🤝😊🏆
