F1 Driver Who Died in Crash Over 50 Years Ago Still Holds Four Records

Jim Clark still holds a number Formula One records despite a crash that cost him his life over 50 years ago.

Clark is revered as one of the best F1 drivers to have ever taken to the track and wrote his name into this history books on numerous occasions during his career.

At the time of his death in 1968, Clark held the record for the most Grand Prix wins, with 25, the most pole positions, with 33, and the highest number of fastest laps, with 28.

It took over 20 years for the latter record to have been broken, by both Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in 1989.

Clark still holds several Formula One records

In addition, the Scot still holds the record for the most grand slam wins, with eight, the most grand slams in a season, with three, the most consecutive grand slams, with two, and the highest percentage of possible championship points in a season having achieved a 100% record in 1963 and 1965.

Sir Sterling Moss, whose career briefly overlapped with Clark, wrote that the latter was “the greatest natural talent driving today”.

“I say ‘probably’ just for the forms’ sake, because I’m convinced Jimmy is the best in the world. He’s a born driver, boy, and you know the difference between a born driver and a made driver is the difference between night and day, and more,” Moss said.

Graham Hill and Jim Clark were rivals (Image: Getty)

Graham Hill, who was a long-term rival of Clark, paid tribute after the legendary Scot lost his life in 1968, stating he was the best in the world.

“He was because he just had all the requirements; he was a natural athlete with very good muscular coordination and a very good eye. He had a springy step; he was light on his feet. He had rhythm. His judgment was excellent, and his reactions were very fast,” Hill said.

“He was also particularly competitive, particularly aggressive, but he combined this with an extremely good sense of what not to do. He invariably shot into the lead and killed off the others, building up a lead that sapped their will to win.

“Comparing him with champions of other eras is terribly difficult, but surely this is true: in their respective times Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss and Jim Clark were the greatest drivers.”

Clark tragically died in 1968

Clark tragically lost his life in April 1968 after his Lotus 48 veered off track and crashed into the trees at the Deutschland Trophae at Hockenheim.

The driver suffered a broken neck and a fractured skull, and sadly died before reaching the hospital.

During his career, Clark earned 255 of a possible 274 points, and was inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in 1988.