24h Le Mans
Monaco, Indianapolis, Le Mans
The Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans are often regarded as the three major automobile races in the world. Only Graham Hill won them all.
| Victorious at Indy in 2000 and Monte Carlo in 2003, Juan Pablo Montoya is currently the only active driver to have two thirds of what is called the "triple crown". While the Colombian has never came to the Sarthe, his three victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona (2007, 2008, 2013) maintain the hope of a future attempt. Before him, others have stumbled on the last step: Tazio Nuvolari (Le Mans, Monaco), Maurice Trintignant (Le Mans, Monaco), Bruce McLaren (Le Mans, Monaco), Jochen Rindt (Le Mans, Monaco), AJ Foyt (Le Mans, Indianapolis), but to date, only Graham Hill has won all three events. He died on November 29th 1975 in a plane crash in England. | ||
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Monaco Sunday, May 26th 1963 For over two hours, Graham Hill was in agony. Despite his right foot being burned by the radiator of his car, he tries desperately to cling on to the Scot Jim Clark. After 22 laps, the Lotus of Clark led Hill's BRM by 17 seconds. The reigning world champion seems certain to win, but the gearbox of the leader breaks. Hill won the first of his five victories in the principality (only Ayrton Senna has done better). Hill ended his career in 1975, 17 years after making his debut. |
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| Graham Hill, here in a Lotus at Jarama in 1968. | ||
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Indianapolis Monday, May 30th, 1966 Jim Clark paved the way in 1965, when he ended 44 years of American hegemony on the oval. The following year the Europeans were out in force, and this time it was Jackie Stewart who dominated the event. Once again, Graham Hill could say he was lucky when his rival saw his chances ruined by a drop in oil pressure with 10 laps to go. The Londoner in his Lola-Ford became the first "rookie" (beginner) to win since 1927. |
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| Indianapolis 1966. | ||
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Le Mans Saturday 10th and Sunday, June 11th, 1972 The journalist Gérard "Jabby" Crombac persuaded Henri Pescarolo to resume driving for Matra despite his resentment at being dropped from the F1 team for the 1971 season. The Frenchman was disappointed when the Matra boss Jean-Luc Lagardère imposed a team mate he seriously doubted:. "Graham Hill is old, he has already won everything and he is no longer motivated. .. It is I who will do all the dirty work." It turned out to be the reverse. In the middle of a foggy and rainy night at around midnight, the "old man" took the lead and never let go of it! |
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| Henri Pescarolo took the lead at the start. | ||
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Julien HERGAULT / ACO
