Jim Clark F1 stats & info

Jim Clark F1 stats, height, wins, age, career, number & bio

NameJim Clark
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Height1.71 meter / 5 feet 7 inch
Place of BirthKilmany, Fife
Date of BirthMar 4th 1936
Date of DeathApr 7th 1968 - 32 years old
Season Entries9
Car Number4
First Race1960 Dutch F1 GP
Last Race1968 South African F1 GP
First Pole1962 Monaco F1 GP
Last Pole1968 South African F1 GP
First Win1962 Belgian F1 GP
Last Win1968 South African F1 GP
First Win from Pole1962 British F1 GP
Last Win from Pole1968 South African F1 GP
First Hat-trick1962 British F1 GP
Last Hat-trick1968 South African F1 GP

F1 Teams HistoryTeam Lotus (1960-1968)

Jim Clark F1 Stats

Drivers' Titles2
Grand Prix Entries72
Grand Prix Starts72
Total Points274.00
Avg. Points per GP3.81
Grand Prix Wins25 (34,7%)
Wins from pole15 (20,8%)
Pole Positions33 (45,8%)
Front Row Starts41 (56,9%)
Avg. GP Grid3.6
GP Podiums32 (44,4%)
GP Fastest Laps28 (38,9%)
GP Points Finish40 (55,6%)
Avg. GP Position3.6
Hat-tricks11 (15,3%)
GP Retirements28 (38,9%)
GP DNF's23 (31,9%)
Total GP Laps3.930


Biography

 

Jim Clark Biography


Jim Clark

Jim Clark

Jim Clark might be the best driver that ever competed in F1.

He achieved some amazing results and was the first foreign race driver in nearly 50 years that won the Indianapolis 500 in 1965. He also led 190 of the 200 laps of the race.

The greatest Formula 1 driver in the history of the planet for many, Jim Clark was born on the 4th of March of 1936. Clark grew up in Scotland with his family and without ever thinking about motor racing until he was 13 years young.

His family did not want to see him drive cars for a purpose different to transport and other activities needed. Once he left the secret rides on the family car and tractors of the farm behind, he bought a Sunbeam Talbot and started competing with it in 1956 in several rallies and other motorsport activities such as hill climb competitions.

His speed was noticeable from the beginning, although for him it was a total surprise. Jim was a little reluctant to compete since his family really did not want him to do so, but his talent was not going to be stopped. His performances were stunning, but the key moment in his early motorsport career occurred on the 26th of December of 1958 when he competed against Lotus founder Colin Chapman.

Clark and Chapman were both driving a Lotus Elite and finished 1-2 in the race, with Chapman as the victor and impressed with the abilities of the Scottish driver. Chapman gave Clark the chance to race in Formula Junior with Lotus and the journey which would see the pair dominate the Formula 1 world began.

Jim Clark F1 stats & info

1965 Dutch GP Start Richie Ginther Honda RA272, Graham-Hill (10) & Jim Clark (6)

In the 1960 Dutch Grand Prix, Clark made his Formula 1 debut driving a Lotus 18. He started the race in 11th place but could not finish due to mechanical issues. In just his second race, Clark had to endure harsh experiences after Chris Bristow and Clark’s teammate Alan Stacey died at the highly fast and dangerous Spa-Francorchamps. Clark finished the race in fifth out of six cars and scored his first World Championship points. In the following round, he repeated his fifth place and was the highest-placed Lotus driver again.

Clark achieved his first podium finish in the 1960 Portuguese Grand Prix at the Circuito da Boavista after starting from eighth. He thought about retirement after the fatal events during the race at Spa in 1960, and he had to face another situation which brought back the retirement thoughts into his head. In the 1961 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Ferrari driver Wolfgang von Trips touched Clark’s car and flew into the crowd. The accident tragically took the lives of 14 spectators and von Trips', who was fighting for the championship with his teammate Phil Hill.

However, Clark continued in Formula 1 and 1962 brought the Lotus 25 and his first shot at the World Drivers’ Championship. He achieved the first of his 33 Pole Positions in the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix and the first of his then record-breaking 25 wins at the 1962 Belgian Grand Prix.

Jim Clark Lotus 49 Ford at LaSource Hairpin turn, Belgium Grand Prix, Spa-Francochamps circuit, 1967.

Jim Clark Lotus 49 Ford at LaSource Hairpin turn,
Belgium Grand Prix, Spa-Francochamps circuit, 1967.

Clark finished second in the championship with his successes at Britain and the USA putting his win tally at three. Graham Hill won his first title in the last race, the 1962 South African Grand Prix. Many could argue that the title should have been Clark’s since he suffered mechanical failures in four races in which he was leading or in podium positions. In the final race, Clark needed to win to overtake Hill on the standings and take his maiden championship, but an oil leak put an end to his quest for glory.

Four Pole Positions and four wins in the first five races of 1963 gave Clark a clear look for his first championship. With only the best six results counting towards the championship, Clark’s magnificent start to the season seemed enough for the title. In a soaked wet 1963 Belgian Grand Prix, he achieved one of his greatest victories. He started from eighth and won the race with a gap of four minutes and 54 seconds over Bruce McLaren, who was the only car that was not lapped by the lightning-fast Scottish driver.

Clark secured the championship in the 1963 Italian Grand Prix, lapping the entire field but the car in second place. He became the first driver to clinch the title with three races to spare. Seven wins in 1963 and only the best six results counting towards the championship meant that he matched Alberto Ascari record of achieving 100% of the possible World Championship points. His seven wins remained a record for a single season until 1988 when Ayrton Senna won eight races with the McLaren MP4/4.

Jim Clark F1 stats & info

Indianapolis 500, 1965: Jim Clark posed with car.

In the 1964 season, a promising start for Clark could not deliver his second title in a row. Even though he had five mechanical failures —there was a race were even a borrowed car from his teammate Mike Spence failed—, Clark still was in title contention until the last race. In the finale, the 1964 Mexican Grand Prix, Clark was battling Hill and John Surtees. He needed to win with Surtees finishing third and Hill fourth at least.

Hill crashed with Lorenzo Bandini and ultimately retired. With Surtees running fourth, Clark was leading from Pole Position and close to securing the championship, but another oil-related problem in the penultimate lap dramatically took the title away from him.

In 1965, Clark had a fantastic year and good reliability, which enabled him to put on a dominating performance everywhere he went. He won the first race of the season, the 1965 South African Grand Prix, and missed the Monaco race to dominate the Indy 500 in his third attempt (he led 190 of the 200 laps and finished almost two laps ahead of second-placed Parnelli Jones). His Indy 500 triumph was followed by wins at Belgium, France, Britain, the Netherlands and Germany. With six wins in the first seven races and only the six best results counting for the WDC, Clark again secured the championship —his second— with three races to spare and 100% of the possible points.

Jim Clark F1 stats & info

Lotus 43 driven by Jim Clark Dutch GP (1967)

In 1966, Clark had a difficult year which saw him score only 16 points and finish sixth in the standings, although he won a race, the 1966 United States Grand Prix. He retired from five races in 1966, four due to mechanical problems with his Lotus. The following year saw improvement as he won four races, but mechanical woes again prevented him from winning another title he probably deserved.

His win in the final race of the 1967 season at Mexico equalled Juan Manuel Fangio’s tally of 24 victories, which was the all-time record at the time. With the all-time Pole Position record in his bag since the 1967 Canadian Grand Prix, Clark started the 1968 season with a historic win in South Africa with the Lotus 49. Tragically, the day he won his 25th race and broke Fangio’s all-time record was the last day he competed in a Formula 1 Grand Prix.

After winning on the 1st of January in South Africa, the next race was set for the 12th of May in Spain. Clark and other drivers participated in an F2 race on the 7th of April at Hockenheim, Germany.

Lotus 33 driven by Jim Clark French GP, Clermont Ferrand, 27 June 1965 (2)

Lotus 33 driven by Jim Clark French GP, Clermont Ferrand, 27 June 1965

Clark had an accident in the fifth lap on the first long straight on the old version of the Hockenheimring.  Clark's car, a Lotus 48, went off the track at the right side at high speed and crashed into forest. The impact was so severe that Clark died instantly from a broken neck and other injuries. A deflating rear tyre was probably the cause of the cars, but it could be identified.

It had a huge impact on the sport and his fellow drivers. He was aged 32 at the moment of his untimely death and probably had more Formula 1 victories and championships ahead of him, as well as continuing to make those around him happy and be the great man he was.

His teammate at the time of his death, Graham Hill, won the 1968 WDC for Lotus and dedicated it to the great Scottish champion. Clark’s legacy will forever live in every mind that cares about motor racing and its glorious history. After all, his name should always appear when you discuss the greatest drivers to ever sit behind a Formula 1 wheel.

“He will always be the best. I'm sure in time someone else will come along and everyone'll hail him as the greatest ever. But not me. For me, there will never be another in Jimmy's class”, said Colin Chapman, who was also quoted calling Clark his best friend.


Official Jim Clark Trust: https://jimclarktrust.com/

Seasons

 

Jim Clark Final Championship Results

196019611962196319641965196619671968
9th8th2nd1st3rd1st6th3rd11th

 

Jim Clark F1 Seasons Summary

YearTeamEngineGP1st2nd3rdPodPoleLapsFLAvg PtsPoints
1968 United Kingdom Team Lotus Ford1100118019.009
1967 United Kingdom Team Lotus
United Kingdom Team Lotus
United Kingdom Team Lotus
Climax
Ford
BRM
114015659853.7341
1966 United Kingdom Team Lotus
United Kingdom Team Lotus
Climax
BRM
81012241302.0016
1965 United Kingdom Team Lotus Climax96006641466.0054
1964 United Kingdom Team Lotus Climax103003556043.2032
1963 United Kingdom Team Lotus Climax107119768567.3073
1962 United Kingdom Team Lotus Climax93003645553.3330
1961 United Kingdom Team Lotus Climax80022041411.3811
1960 United Kingdom Team Lotus Climax60011031101.338

Cars

 

Jim Clark F1 Cars


Races

 

Jim Clark F1 GP Race Classifications

1st25 Times
2nd1 Time
3rd6 Times
4th4 Times
5th3 Times
6th1 Time
7th2 Times
8th1 Time
9th1 Time
10th2 Times
12th1 Time
16th2 Times
DNF23 Times

 

Jim Clark F1 GP Race Results

YearRaceNoTeamEngineGridPosRetiredPts
7219681968 South African F1 GP4Team LotusFord119
7119671967 Mexican F1 GP5Team LotusFord119
7019671967 USA F1 GP5Team LotusFord219
6919671967 Italian F1 GP20Team LotusFord134
6819671967 Canadian F1 GP3Team LotusFord1DNFIgnition0
6719671967 German F1 GP3Team LotusFord1DNFSuspension0
6619671967 British F1 GP5Team LotusFord119
6519671967 French F1 GP6Team LotusFord4DNFDifferential0
6419671967 Belgian F1 GP21Team LotusFord161
6319671967 Dutch F1 GP5Team LotusFord819
6219671967 Monaco F1 GP12Team LotusClimax5DNFSuspension0
6119671967 South African F1 GP7Team LotusBRM3DNFEngine0
6019661966 Mexican F1 GP1Team LotusBRM2DNFGearbox0
5919661966 USA F1 GP1Team LotusBRM219
5819661966 Italian F1 GP22Team LotusBRM3DNFGearbox0
5719661966 German F1 GP1Team LotusClimax1DNFAccident0
5619661966 Dutch F1 GP6Team LotusClimax334
5519661966 British F1 GP1Team LotusClimax543
5419661966 Belgian F1 GP10Team LotusClimax10DNFEngine0
5319661966 Monaco F1 GP4Team LotusClimax1DNFSuspension0
5219651965 Mexican F1 GP5Team LotusClimax1DNFEngine0
5119651965 USA F1 GP5Team LotusClimax9DNFEngine0
5019651965 Italian F1 GP24Team LotusClimax110Fuel pump0
4919651965 German F1 GP1Team LotusClimax119
4819651965 Dutch F1 GP6Team LotusClimax219
4719651965 British F1 GP5Team LotusClimax119
4619651965 French F1 GP6Team LotusClimax119
4519651965 Belgian F1 GP17Team LotusClimax219
4419651965 South African F1 GP5Team LotusClimax119
4319641964 Mexican F1 GP1Team LotusClimax15Engine2
4219641964 USA F1 GP1Team LotusClimax17Out of fuel0
4119641964 Italian F1 GP8Team LotusClimax4DNFEngine0
4019641964 Austrian F1 GP1Team LotusClimax3DNFHalfshaft0
3919641964 German F1 GP1Team LotusClimax2DNFEngine0
3819641964 British F1 GP1Team LotusClimax119
3719641964 French F1 GP2Team LotusClimax1DNFEngine0
3619641964 Belgian F1 GP23Team LotusClimax619
3519641964 Dutch F1 GP18Team LotusClimax219
3419641964 Monaco F1 GP12Team LotusClimax14Engine3
3319631963 South African F1 GP1Team LotusClimax119
3219631963 Mexican F1 GP8Team LotusClimax119
3119631963 USA F1 GP8Team LotusClimax234
3019631963 Italian F1 GP8Team LotusClimax319
2919631963 German F1 GP3Team LotusClimax126
2819631963 British F1 GP4Team LotusClimax119
2719631963 French F1 GP18Team LotusClimax119
2619631963 Dutch F1 GP6Team LotusClimax119
2519631963 Belgian F1 GP1Team LotusClimax819
2419631963 Monaco F1 GP9Team LotusClimax18Gearbox0
2319621962 South African F1 GP1Team LotusClimax1DNFOil Leak0
2219621962 USA F1 GP8Team LotusClimax119
2119621962 Italian F1 GP20Team LotusClimax1DNFGearbox0
2019621962 German F1 GP5Team LotusClimax343
1919621962 British F1 GP20Team LotusClimax119
1819621962 French F1 GP12Team LotusClimax1DNFSuspension0
1719621962 Belgian F1 GP16Team LotusClimax1319
1619621962 Monaco F1 GP18Team LotusClimax1DNFClutch0
1519621962 Dutch F1 GP4Team LotusClimax390
1419611961 USA F1 GP14Team LotusClimax670
1319611961 Italian F1 GP36Team LotusClimax7DNFAccident0
1219611961 German F1 GP14Team LotusClimax843
1119611961 British F1 GP18Team LotusClimax8DNFOil Leak0
1019611961 French F1 GP8Team LotusClimax934
919611961 Belgian F1 GP34Team LotusClimax16120
819611961 Dutch F1 GP15Team LotusClimax1134
719611961 Monaco F1 GP28Team LotusClimax3100
619601960 USA F1 GP12Team LotusClimax5160
519601960 Portuguese F1 GP14Team LotusClimax834
419601960 British F1 GP8Team LotusClimax8160
319601960 French F1 GP24Team LotusClimax1052
219601960 Belgian F1 GP18Team LotusClimax1052
119601960 Dutch F1 GP6Team LotusClimax11DNFTransmission0

Poles

 

Jim Clark F1 Pole Positions

YearRaceNoTeamEngineGridPosRetiredPts
3319681968 South African F1 GP4Team LotusFord119
3219671967 Mexican F1 GP5Team LotusFord119
3119671967 Italian F1 GP20Team LotusFord134
3019671967 Canadian F1 GP3Team LotusFord1DNFIgnition0
2919671967 German F1 GP3Team LotusFord1DNFSuspension0
2819671967 British F1 GP5Team LotusFord119
2719671967 Belgian F1 GP21Team LotusFord161
2619661966 German F1 GP1Team LotusClimax1DNFAccident0
2519661966 Monaco F1 GP4Team LotusClimax1DNFSuspension0
2419651965 Mexican F1 GP5Team LotusClimax1DNFEngine0
2319651965 Italian F1 GP24Team LotusClimax110Fuel pump0
2219651965 German F1 GP1Team LotusClimax119
2119651965 British F1 GP5Team LotusClimax119
2019651965 French F1 GP6Team LotusClimax119
1919651965 South African F1 GP5Team LotusClimax119
1819641964 Mexican F1 GP1Team LotusClimax15Engine2
1719641964 USA F1 GP1Team LotusClimax17Out of fuel0
1619641964 British F1 GP1Team LotusClimax119
1519641964 French F1 GP2Team LotusClimax1DNFEngine0
1419641964 Monaco F1 GP12Team LotusClimax14Engine3
1319631963 South African F1 GP1Team LotusClimax119
1219631963 Mexican F1 GP8Team LotusClimax119
1119631963 German F1 GP3Team LotusClimax126
1019631963 British F1 GP4Team LotusClimax119
919631963 French F1 GP18Team LotusClimax119
819631963 Dutch F1 GP6Team LotusClimax119
719631963 Monaco F1 GP9Team LotusClimax18Gearbox0
619621962 South African F1 GP1Team LotusClimax1DNFOil Leak0
519621962 USA F1 GP8Team LotusClimax119
419621962 Italian F1 GP20Team LotusClimax1DNFGearbox0
319621962 British F1 GP20Team LotusClimax119
219621962 French F1 GP12Team LotusClimax1DNFSuspension0
119621962 Monaco F1 GP18Team LotusClimax1DNFClutch0

Comparison

 

Jim Clark Teammate Comparison

YearTeamTeam MateBest PosPointsWinsPolesPosQuali
1960Team LotusAlan Stacey582000001111
David Piper5122000001120
Innes Ireland3281700003315
Jim Hall1670000000110
John Surtees324600012121
Mike Taylor5192000001010
Ron Flockhart562100001010
Stirling Moss3161101022204
1961Team LotusCliff Allison1080000001120
Ernesto Prinoth28370000001010
Gaetano Starrabba28150000000110
Gerry Ashmore4163000003030
Henry Taylor3104000004150
Ian Burgess3148000003140
Innes Ireland3171201004352
Jim Hall7130000001010
Juan Manuel Bordeu3284000001010
Ken Miles7200000001010
Lloyd Ruby7140000001010
Lucien Bianchi3194000003030
Masten Gregory7170000001120
Michael May3117000004040
Olivier Gendebien7110000001010
Peter Ryan790000001010
Stirling Moss31112102014417
Tim Parnell18100000001120
Tony Maggs4113000001120
Tony Marsh4153000003030
Trevor Taylor3134000001010
Willy Mairesse3174000002020
Wolfgang Seidel3177000004150
1962Team LotusCarlo Abate11210000101010
Dan Gurney1209010001010
Ernesto Prinoth21270000101010
Ernie Pieterse12100000100110
Gary Hocking12180000101010
Gerry Ashmore21240000101010
Günther Seiffert4303000001010
Heinz Schiller4243000001010
Innes Ireland1527230605371
Jack Brabham1518320304150
Jay Chamberlain11512010203030
Jim Hall1209010101010
Jo Siffert11021020406060
John Campbell-Jones1119010001010
Keith Greene1229010101010
Kurt Kuhnke21310000101010
Lucien Bianchi199010001010
Masten Gregory1627130506161
Maurice Trintignant1730030506280
Neville Lederle1260100100110
Nino Vaccarella1090000201120
Peter Arundell11180000101010
Rob Schroeder1109010101010
Roger Penske199010101010
Sam Tingle12210000101010
Syd van der Vyver12190000101010
Tony Shelly12112010203030
Trevor Taylor1230630606381
Wolfgang Seidel12012010102020
1963Team LotusAndré Pilette12315010102020
Bernard Collomb2106000202020
Brausch Niemann1149010101010
Chris Amon1209010101010
Ernie Pieterse1199010101010
Gaetano Starrabba1339010001010
Günther Seiffert1319010001010
Hap Sharp1713010102020
Innes Ireland11019010304040
Jack Brabham890000101010
Jim Hall1564360609090
Jo Siffert1664160609090
John Campbell-Jones8200000101010
Kurt Kuhnke2266000101010
Masten Gregory11133030304040
Maurice Trintignant189010101010
Mike Hailwood189010101010
Mike Spence1139010001010
Neville Lederle1229010101010
Paddy Driver1219010101010
Pedro Rodríguez11513010102020
Peter Arundell12118020102020
Phil Hill1149010101010
Rodger Ward3144000001010
Thomas Monarch1259010101010
Tim Parnell2256000101010
Trevor Taylor1664160708190
Walt Hansgen12213010102020
1964Team LotusBernard Collomb4193000101010
Chris Amon1532230507290
Gerhard Mitter1590000000110
Innes Ireland4203000101010
Jo Siffert483000101010
Mike Hailwood1623120507290
Mike Spence1411410302460
Moisés Solana5102000101010
Peter Arundell13211120202231
Peter Revson11121020203250
Trevor Taylor1199010101010
Walt Hansgen750200100110
1965Team LotusBob Bondurant17150000100110
Brausch Niemann1249010101010
Brian Gubby1239010101010
Chris Amon11218020202020
Clive Puzey1269010101010
Dave Charlton1289010101010
Ernie Pieterse1259010101010
Gerhard Mitter1129010101010
Giacomo "Geki" Russo10180000101010
Innes Ireland1936040406170
Mike Spence13541060608181
Moisés Solana15100000100220
Neville Lederle1229010101010
Paul Hawkins1179010101010
Richard Attwood1636240404370
Tony Maggs1119010101010
1966Team LotusGiacomo "Geki" Russo1190000000110
Mike Spence1516410205371
Pedro Rodríguez199010001120
Peter Arundell1616110104370
1967Team LotusChris Irwin179010001010
Eppie Wietzes12130000101010
Giancarlo Baghetti3104000101010
Graham Hill12411540638383
Jackie Oliver1950000100110
Mike Fisher1119010201120
Moisés Solana11718020102020
Piers Courage16100000000110
1968Team LotusGraham Hill129610101010


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