A showdown of titans at Monza for Stewart and Rindt
09/07/2024 05:45 AM
©TheCahierArchive
On this day in 1969, Jackie Stewart out-dragged Jochen Rindt to win the Italian Grand Prix at Monza by just 0.08s after a thrilling finish.
Amidst an electric atmosphere, an exciting slip-streaming battle involving up to eight cars formed in the latter part of the race.
The lead changed no less than fourteen times in the 68-lap race as Stewart, Rindt, Hulme, Courage, Hill, McLaren, Beltoise and Siffert dared and defied each other.
With just four laps to go, a final slipstream shootout pitted Stewart's Matra against Rindt, Beltoise and McLaren.
In the shot above - snapped by the way by a 16-year-old Paul-Henri Cahier - Stewart is seen glancing over and checking out his rival as both men prepare for their showdown.
The Scot lost the lead to Rindt's Lotus on the last lap, but he regained it only to lose it again to Beltoise as the group barreled into the Parabolica.
But the French driver's Matra drifted wide on the exit, which left Stewart and Rindt to race each other to the checkered flag.
Stewart's win delivered to Sir Jackie his first F1 world championship title, with three races to go.
©TheCahierArchive
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