The Man with the Triple Crown: How Graham Hill Achieved a Unique Record 

In case people are wondering: 70s flat with storage heaters with dust in them that gets kicked into the air the second you turn them on plus my allergies don’t mix. Can’t wait to move out and spend a small fortune on central heating. 🤣

The triple crown is hard to get, but the chance someone gets it again with such a mustache is just zero.

I remember a couple of years ago, F1 did a word association video with the drivers. One of the words was "classy" to which Sebastian Vettel's response was "Graham Hill".

John Surtees was world champ on both 2 and 4 wheels, what a legend!

You are right, when Hill won the Indy 500 the result was disputed. The race was sponsored by the American Milk Board or something and it was traditional that the winner was given a pint of milk to drink. Graham turned to Jim Clark and said 'sorry Jim, I've drunk the milk'. Classic.

Dick Dastardly look-alike?... Graham Hill was clearly a great bloke. His interviews were often hilarious. Damon's a top bloke, too

I'd be interested in a video about the controversy surrounding Hill's Indy 500 win.

Pretty wild to think that Graham Hill and Cale Yarborough ran in the same race

I regard Graham Hill as the greatest ever, for holding the triple crown and also for what he did at Lotus in '68

Hello Aidan: I am old enough to remember the start of the 1966 Indy 500. The crash at the start was so spectacular that a photo ended up on the front page of the main daily news paper where I lived, Perth Western Australia. Stay well and safe.

Graham Hill really was like 007 of F1 with a moustache

Do John Surtees next! Talk about unique records: Six MotoGP championships and an F1 title.

When I was a small boy and first aware of motor racing, Graham Hill was my hero. Jim Clark was probably the faster driver but Graham had that old-fashioned charisma. I can still remember the devastation I felt on reading the headlines when he died.

Worth pointing out that Smiths instruments supplied speedometers for almost every car in the UK at the time, so working there gave you a great idea of how every car engine in a very vibrant industry worked. They also made spark plugs and were later into aerospace instruments. Perfect for 60s racing were engine power was king. They were massive, I can recall every clock in my grandmother’s house being made by Smiths.

An old saying is that the best sports team/player of all time is the one you were cheering for when you were 12. As it happens 1962 was that important year for me and the dashing G Hill was my guy. Throughout the '60s I followed his career and grew to appreciate him even more. Not a naturally gifted driver like Clark, Stewart and the like he always had to work for whatever success he had. I came to think of him as "Graham Hill --The working mans World Champion"

A mind blowing stat about Graham Hill is that it he held the record for F1 laps completed/races finished until 1990!!

Another great video, Graham is sadly overlooked. He also drove twice at LeMans in the Rover BRM gas turbine car. Maybe you could do a video on that as well. Keep up the good work.

In rugby, you get the Triple Crown of all the British & Irish teams, then if you beat France too, you get the Grand Slam (not sure what it is with Italy now). So imho, Graham Hill got the motorsports Grand Slam. He always reminds me of the archetypal bad guy in an old black & white silent film, the sort who'd tie the pretty lady to the railway track lol. Betty put up with a lot of his naughtiness, but from what I've read, he was loyal to her, he was just incorrigible. He was a massive legend and in my mind, he still is. And it has _nothing_ to do with my fangirling over Damon (much 🤣). Btw, definitely would love you to do a vid on Surtees. As you said, a very underrated but epic racer.

Loved Graham Hill’s appear on Grand Prix movie. I always feel he had the look of a WW1/WW2 fighter pilot; though a Grand Prix driver of the 50/60s isn’t far off with risks involved.

How is he not at 100k yet😢 so deserving of it

He was a true gentleman racer. A giant in this sport.

Now I know why I haven't worn a mustache in thirty years... there can be no competition against Graham Hill.

I prayed to the Goddess of motor racing that Alonso never won the Indy 500, because he did not deserve (in the least) to be level with the great gentleman sir Graham (yes, I have just knighted him). Hill was so elegant, suave, eloquent, articulate, funny, and incredibly fast too! The fact he was teammate of the world's most amazing driver of all time, Jim Clark, made some people think he was a 'lesser' driver, but nothing could be farther from the truth.

A record that will never be equalled for Graham's wins in F1,indy and Le man's. Andretti tried and Alonso tried. Henri Pescarolo was not intially happy to be paired with Graham in 72, but Graham put in a great stint overnight and in the changeable conditions changed his mind, the #15 car was the only 670 to use the short tail, the #12 had tried it in practice though. Graham's successes at Monaco are testament to his great mechanical sympathy.

Hi Aidan, how about a article on Jim Clark and his last ever championship win, the Tasman Series in 1968???

I've read somewhere that Graham always preferred the definition of Monaco, Indy, and Le Mans rather than the F1 championship. That way is was about competing for 3 races rather than two races and a Championship.

Aidan, could I suggest you do a similar profile on John Surtees? I think that he may have been the genuine GOAT seeing as he translated his skills on those awful 2 wheeled things into the majestic and gentlemanly (!) sport of F1. Well, it'd make a good video anyway!!

Damon is genuinely a good dude

Any clip of Graham talking is TV gold, he was so hilarious. You mentioned Dick Dastardly - I read that the DD character's look in Wacky Races was deliberately based on Graham's! Personally I like the '3 races' definition of the Triple Crown - Monaco, Indy and Le Mans, but what the hell do I know - in an interview very shortly before his death (it's here on RU-vid) Graham said the F1 Championship was the 3rd leg, not Monaco. His drive in the dark in the rain at Le Mans was apparently incredibly brilliant and was what won them the race. Pescarolo, great gentleman that he is, has said on film that he apologised to Graham after the race for having doubted his ability because of his age and his still injured legs (from which he never did fully recover. When asked late in his life whether he suffered pain he replied 'Only when I stand up' - a typically wry but clever Graham reply). For me his 1968 Championship is his greatest achievement, both in the face of the shatteringly traumatic loss of Clark, and, even greater I think, for the way he somehow managed to achieve the delicacy to win in that so quick but so fragile Lotus. For me, there was nobody better than him - nobody, before, then or since, has come close to matching his staggering combination of immense and unique achievement, astounding physical courage and wonderfully hilarious humour. Not even close! Thanks for great work!

The fact that all these years later this feat still stands as Graham's alone just shows how versatile a driver he really was. I think the closest person who could match it might be Montoya if he gets a decent seat at Lemans.

Guys like Graham Hill and Surtees are overlooked by those that proclaim this or that driver is the best. Graham is an all time great. He could drive and win in every form of motor sport.

A cool follow up would be to look at those who’ve won the triple crown in sports car racing.

Before Silverstone in 1975 I visited Hethel and then Lotus F1 headquarters. I was just a fan, but Peter Warr, who had broken legs from a road car crash, let me look around as three cars were being prepared for the British Grand Prix. Before leaving I went to thank Mr. Warr, and I noted the photos of all the Lotus F1 cars and drivers behind him on the wall. I told him I thought it was a shame Graham Hill hadn’t retired, and he asked if I was going to be at the race. I said, yes, I’ll be there. “Is Graham Hill going to retire?” “Look out for an announcement by Embassy”. “Will it be about Graham Hill’s retirement?” “Just be on the lookout for an announcement.” So when I saw the planned announcement by Embassy, I showed up . . . and I was present when Graham Hill retired at Silverstone in 1975 . . .

Thinking about it, why didn't Rosberg have a go at this after 2016? He could definitely have got a top drive at Le Mans. Indy would have been harder but if done post Le Mans, a good drive should be possible

Hawthorne probably doesn't get mentioned for the way he and Peter Collins managed to siphon off team winnings away from Luigi Musso. Plus, and admittedly it might seem unfair but, being pictured smiling after winning Le Mans after that horrific crash isn't going to enamour you to a lot of people. I think given that Graham was dubbed Mr. Monaco (the original one at that) and the only one to do all three of the triple crown is what gives him his mark. In that sense he's done more than enough to garner his niche in motorsport.

Graham is one of my all-time favorites, I love to study everything about his racing career. One of a kind who certainly showed an example how to live your life to the fullest - back in his days and even by modern standards.

Graham Hill was like the Sterling Moss of motorsport, fast and very dapper. To me, Graham looked like the hero spitfire pilot. Congrats Damon and Niko, your fathers are proud !!!!!😊

IIRC Graham had dabs in ‘Speedwell engineering’ and him and the late John Sprinzel would race A35’s in the 1 litre class and Frogeyed Sprites

Nice Video Aidan! The London Rowing Club which his helmet colours are based off is a few kilometres from where I live.

I never knew Cale Yarborough entered Indy races until this video. I came for the "glory days of F1" history, but got a bit more besides. Very nice.

If anyone has not seen it Michael kaisers movie called “speed merchants” shows the 1972 world sports car championship through the perspectives of several different drivers including Vic Elford. They go into it from that year’s 24 hours of Le Mans.

That's why he is the GOAT of motorsports.

I never really paid attention to 60's F1 racing, turns out you can learn a thing or two. Cheers Aidan

Be interested for you to do a video on why Montoya is your favourite. I recently started watching highlights again and realised what a star he was and how much I liked him!

It should be referred to as the "quadruple crown". F1 crown, Monaco GP, Indy 500, and Le Mans.

From May 1966 until June 1972, Hill won the Indy 500, the WDC (again), LeMans and the Monaco GP (twice). 73 months to accomplish what no other driver has ever done, nor will probably ever do. Honourable Mentions go to Mario Andretti (Indy, WDC, Daytona 500, WSC) and A.J. Foyt (who won the Indy 500 and LeMans during a 3-week period). As a Canadian, I wish that Jacques Villeneuve had put some effort into winning LeMans in his post-F1 years while he was still young.

For the record,Chris Amon co-won LeMans in 1966 with Bruce Mclaren.He also co-won the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1967,and won the Tasman series in 1969.

Thank you for this program.

What Mr. Hill did is considered a Grand Slam in my book. It was during an era where racers had to be versatile.

With the addition of several manufacturers into the top class in the WEC, I wonder if one of the teams will put Montoya into a potential race winning car at LeMans in 2024 or later. Even having him in the top class for the race would be a huge publicity boost for the manufacturer, the team and the sponsors.

Lotus Gonna Lotus !! More good stuff ad thanks

Great & interesting video 👍🏻. Graham Hill also raced the first Jaguar E-Type convertible racing car. It is looked after by the J.D.H.T. up at The British Motor Museum at Gaydon.

awesome video

Please do a video on Graham Hill’s class win in the targa florio.

Great stuff as always. How about a video on Alesandro Naninni?

Hill climbing: Nicely done sir 👏👏

John Surtees did the impossible. No one will ever do it again.

Indy & F1, & therefore by default Monaco, are basically open wheel, but Le Man isn't. I've often wondered if there could be a Triple Crown sort of title for Tin Tops. e.g. Daytona, Bathurst & Spa... &/or Nurburgring. If anybody is wondering who could be considered, Chas Mostert has won Bathurst & Daytona, & what hasn't been won by Jacky Ickx is a short list. Will you accept this challenge Aidan. Who's the greatest Tin Top Driver?

Can I just say that seeing Graham’s head being almost level with the top of the roll hoop in the thumbnail is absolutely terrifying!

My mate John R was his golf pro at Hendon

I'm not sure how many Kiwi's watch you but it would be awesome if you did a New Zealand vid, McLaren, Amon, Hulme...

My younger step brother and I watched the 1966 Indy race at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. Great drama.

"He retired from the race with a half shaft failure in lap 69" Waits for 'nice'.......... Still waiting

I think reliability might have improved a bit over the eras in f1.

Hill and Stewart also ran a brm turbine car at lemans while they were teammates. I'm not sure what year but the film is on here...somwhere

Another great episode thank you. My mother worked for Mr Chapman and I remember meeting Hill when I was a kid it was very quiet at the time it's already remember this is Indianapolis. I do remember Brabham though he was funny he would play with me and my sister

I can add a bit to the 1966 Indy 500 story. Stewart told Hill he had won the race, Hill responded "No way Mate, I drank the milk!" History of Ford Motor Racing 1901-1967

To be clear, on why the 1962 Monaco GP qualifying was so confusing, the race director gave 11 drivers automatic places and every one else had to qualify with only the top 6 of the remaining drivers being allowed to race with the grid being limited to 17 cars. Thus we left with bizarre things like Jo Siffert posting the 13th fastest time and not qualifying, but someone like Tony Maggs being nearly 4 seconds slower and racing. Not to mention, Riccardo Rodríguez (a guaranteed started) withdrew after qualifying, but they didn't "promote" any of the drivers who DNQ'd into the race.

Aidan, did you went on a one week vacation to the Caribbean or some God forsaken sunny place? Jeeezzz, I feel so depressed, it has been 2 weeks since I have seen the sun... and no, I do not live in the UK.

Mario Andretti is close too. Obviously he is a name everybody knows and hasn't won the Triple Crown by either definition, but you could concoct a handful of Triple Crowns from things he did win: 4 IndyCar Championships 1 Indy 500 Win 1 Daytona 500 Win 1 World Driver's Championship (No win in Monaco though) 1 Class Win at LeMans 1 Win at the 6 Hours of Daytona (precursor to the Rolex 24) 1 Win at Pikes Peak 3 Wins at 12 Hours of Sebring

One of the few records in motorracing still unbroken.

1962 South African win was in East London

Haha, Binotto, you called it.

the H16 engine that BRM invented did win in the back of Jim Clarks lotus in usa 66

Not much us mentioned about Graham Hill? Are you kidding? He was the first F1 driver I ever heard of, back in the late 70's, just after he died, when I was just a little kid... in Canada where Gilles Villeneuve was a rising star and Hockey is the only "real" sport in the media.

I have enjoyed watching the 70s grand prix on YT. Also found a segment between Stirling Moss & Jackie Stewart if anyone is interested. About 20 minutes in - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lGZuuzR2ITI.html

9:48 - I though i saw a mullet.

If I saw an ad charging 20 quid for a lap in a formula car....I'd go broke very quickly.

If only AJ Foyt decided to compete in F1. Who knows what he could’ve accomplished. He won Le Mans in 67 and by then was already a 3 time Indy 500 winner.

From what I've read and heard, Jim Clark actually won the Indy 500 in 1966, but the records don't say that. Helio Castroneves has, IMHO, only 3 Indy 500 wins. Paul Tracy won. The records don't say that either. But haters gonna' hate, hate, hate...

I hope Alonso wins Indy sooner than later. I bet he does, too.

Villeneuve finished 2nd at Le Mans with Peugeot - the closest anyone ever got to G. Hill.

I was in college in Indiana when Hill won the 500. The 500 was a huge thing for Indiana back then. The whole ritual of practicing and qualifying, as well as the race itself and awards ceremony were televised state wide. You may not know how conservative Indiana was back then, it still is for the most part. It was more overt then: billboards told us we must get out of the UN or risk falling under Satan's dominion, and celebrated the John Birch Society (look it up); it could be dangerous to be anything other than a white conservative christian, and nobody admitted to sex. So, at the awards on TV, Graham gets up for a little speech , and starts off with a joke. "There's a new contraception pill just available you put it in your shoe and you go limp." Dead silence. Half the people at the banquet had no idea what the joke was, the other half were appalled I loved him ever since.

Hill snr is Britain's coolest F1 champion. To those who don't know much about him imagine him as a human Jaaaaaag.

Mario Andretti came oh so close.

Interesting to look at others who years ago have come close to the Indy, Le Mans, F1 World Champion 'triple crown.' Clark was close with a third at Le Mans; Phil Hill lacked the Indy win; Foyt didn't do F1; Rindt needed Indy; Mario had a third at Le Mans (I think); Mike Hawthorn needed Indy; Emerson FIttipaldi needed Le Mans; ................... any others?

What do you do for fun Aidan? 🏎🏎

Back in the day(I'm of that age...) I must admit that my rightly earned admiration for Mr.Clark tended to fog my perception of the astonishingly talented guys who were racing. Mr. Hill: forgive me! I won't bore you with a complete breakdown of the list...we all know who is on it...Mario..James...Chris....John...Jack...John...A.J......Dan.... Jackie.....Juan Manuel....Carroll.... well, you can fill in the in the blanks...they, and countless others, created the sport we all so love. Thank you, Mr.Hill!

I still find it hard to believe Damon came from Graham

I do feel that any F1 races cant count for the "triple crown" anymore. ANYONE can build a car to race at Le Mans or Indy. F1 is a completely closed series now only 10 teams allowed and only limited drivers allowed. We need a new 3rd race for a current crown. I'm in the US so I say Daytona. another race anyone can enter.

Is it me, or does Graham sorta look like Dick Dastardly, he’s got the chin, the moustache, the racing career.

Tbh Hawthorn was a mad lad who may have triggered the 1955 Le Mans disaster by sheer recklessness. Surtees was just really private despite being at the track all his life it seems. Hill was big on parties and all over TV. He was such good milage even the BBC seemed to ignore the fact he regularly swore on television. There’s no-one quite like him in racing today, think a combination of Fernando Alonso & Romain Grosjean on-track, ruthless & innovative with the on-camera wit of Jimmy Broadbent albeit with wider appeal. A real one-off, unless Jimmer makes it to F1 😹

I think max could. He has said he wants to do other things. Lewis has stated hes not wanting to do to indy.

In the USA for F1 (before Liberty) we had David Hobbs (Steve Matchett & Bob Varsha) when NBC Sports was taking the World Feed except for COTA when they'd actually attend & broadcast. Hobbs would mention John Surtees every chance he got. While Surtees didn't have a triple crown, he had a double - that nobody else had achieved. I'd wager we'll have another Triple Crown winner, before anyone beats the Surtees Double and it doesn't even have a catchy name as far as I know. Mike Hailwood was the only other man who even came close.

The America triple indy 500 Daytona 500 & Daytona 24 hours AJ FOYT

👍🏻

Okay well, you’re forgetting that Fernando Alonso actually won the Indy 500. Except Honda happened. And team management resting on their laurels happened. And the incorrect shade of orange happened. And Fernando’s ego happened.

It's not as prestigious, and only Americans might care about it, but AJ Foyt's "triple crown" is more unlikely, winning the Indy & Daytona 500s and LeMans. It's much more likely for a Monaco GP or F1 World Champ to win LeMans than a Daytona 500 winner. It's not even very likely for a driver to drive in both the Daytona 500 & LeMans in their career nowadays. I remember Jeff Gordon talking about wanting to try LeMans, but lots of drivers "talk:" about stuff like that, but nowadays no one ever does it. Foyt, of course, won LeMans before he won Daytona, so he was a LeMans winner winning Daytona, not the other way around. (Andretti also won a "triple crown" of his own, winning Daytona, Indy & the F1 World Championship, which is really something that can never, ever happen again. Villeneuve raced all three, but never had a ghost of a chance at Daytona.)

It was a time when sex was safe and motor racing was dangerous miss those times

Do British people really say "aquaplaned" and not "hydroplaned"?