1968 British Grand Prix

Championship standings

Hill arrives at Brands Hatch with a large lead in the championship. His early-season wins in Spain and Monaco have given him a cushion despite a retirement in the Netherlands and a non-start issue in France.

Previous race

Jacky Ickx won in France for his first Formula One victory, in only his ninth Grand Prix start. John Surtees was second in the Honda and Stewart third. Jo Schlesser, driving the experimental Honda RA302 that Surtees had declined to race, crashed on the third lap at the high-speed Six-Frères corner; the magnesium-chassis car overturned and caught fire instantly when fully fuelled, killing Schlesser. He was the fourth Formula One driver to die in 1968.

Between-race developments

Dan Gurney returns with the Eagle-Weslake, having missed several races due to engine problems. Robin Widdows joins Cooper-BRM for his championship debut.

Track changes

The British Grand Prix moves from Silverstone to Brands Hatch this year under the two-circuit rotation agreement. Seven British drivers are among the 20-car entry.

Entrants

Cars across the field carry increasingly dramatic rear wings as teams search for maximum downforce. Widdows makes his championship debut at Cooper alongside Vic Elford.

Practice

Hill was fastest in qualifying by half a second, with Jackie Oliver alongside him and Chris Amon completing the front row. Jo Siffert (Rob Walker Lotus) and Jochen Rindt share the second row.