50 years ago: Rindt and Hill's first victory at Watkins Glen

Long before Austin (Texas) or Indianapolis (Indiana), the Formula 1 used to settle down in New York State, on the Watkins Glen circuit. The route has hosted the great Barnum 20 times, more than any other American venue. 

At the time, Watkins Glen was distinguished by its absence of technical sector (8 turns over 3,78 km) and its high top speeds. Thus, the 1969 pole position was acquired by the Austrian Jochen Rindt (Lotus) in barely 1'03''620! To make the two hours of racing more familiar, the organizers added laps and laps, 108 in total.

If Jochen Rindt starts from the top of the grid, the man who makes the headlines is undoubtedly Jackie Stewart (Matra, cocorico). Not yet knighted by the Queen of “Sir”, the Briton is still enjoying his first world coronation, won a few weeks earlier in Monza (Italy). 

The stands resonate with the sound of V8 Ford Cosworth DFV, the most popular block from the moment. Of the 18 participants, only four drivers opted for a different engine: Jackie Oliver and John Surtees on BRM, and Pedro Rodriguez on theunique Ferrari of the board.

The title played, the uncertainty therefore concerns the places of honor. Considered an outsider at the start of the campaign, Jochen Rindt is hoping for the relief that a victory would bring. The 27-year-old led five of the last nine rounds, and finished on the podium in the last two meetings. 

The driver of the Lotus 49 sets off with a knife between his teeth in front of nearly 100 spectators. After a short duel against Jackie Stewart, Jochen Rindt took off, ahead of a trio of Brabhams. 

The day, radiant until then, took a dramatic turn during the 88th lap. Graham Hill spins into a puddle of oil then stalls his engine. To get his V8 back into gear, he gets out of his cockpit, pushes his car, before getting back into his Lotus, without having put his safety harness back on. In fact, the cockpit was so cramped that outside help was required to carry out this action.

Feeling a “flat” right rear tire, Graham Hill then signaled to his team that he intended to pit on the next lap. He will not have the opportunity to do so. At the end of a straight line, the tire explodes and the Briton loses control. Without a seat belt, he is thrown from his car as it disintegrates. 

Graham Hill had a huge, career-threatening OTDI accident 1969 during the US GP, suffering badly broken legs

#F1 pic.twitter.com/TQsaTVuFGg

— Stuart Dent (@Stuart_Dent) October 5, 2016

Miraculously, doctors do not detect “that” two leg fractures ! Placed under observation in hospital, Graham Hill receives visits from his relatives and his team. He will even say to her: “Warn my wife that I won't be able to dance for the next two weeks. » What an English sense of humor! 

Unaware of this accident, Jochen Rindt crossed the finish line 46 seconds ahead of Piers Courage. He finally holds it, the laurel wreath reserved for the winner! “It's just that for once the car stayed in one piece », he explained, in reference to Colin Chapman's deliberately fragile construction methods. 

Bonus info: The organizers will let the winner leave with a suitcase weighed down by $50 bounty.