1969 Spanish Grand Prix

The 1969 Spanish Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at the Montjuïc circuit on 4 May 1969. It was race 2 of 11 in both the 1969 World Championship of Drivers and the 1969 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers.

There was a small field for this race, as the famous Targa Florio sportscar race was on the same day. This is one of only two Grands Prix where the winner finished two laps ahead of the runner-up, the other occasion being the 1995 Australian Grand Prix. This was the last race of the high wing era in Formula One. Both works Lotus cars suffered massive accidents when their suspension-mounted wing supports failed. Despite the narrow confines of the Montjuïc circuit, drivers Jochen Rindt and Graham Hill both survived, Hill was injured but Rindt broke his nose and a marshall lost an eye. Dave Sims said in 2010 "We had the big wing in Barcelona and Chapman said I want to make it wider with aluminium and styrofoam and we put six inches either side and put so much downforce on it bent during the race". Chris Amon inherited the lead after Rindt's crash. Establishing a thirty-second lead, the New Zealander seemed to be on his way to his first Grand Prix victory until his engine seized on lap 56. The lead was then gifted to Jackie Stewart, who then went on to win by a margin of two laps; one of his most dominant performances, on a circuit that would become synonymous with the danger and lack of professionalism he detested.