There were no surprises in qualifying, as Jim Clark claimed another pole position, but in the process, and in conjunction with team mate Trevor Taylor, managed to go through Team Lotus' entire stock of gearboxes. There were concerns on the grid for the likelihood of Clark and Taylor finishing, and by lap 25 both were out with gearbox failures. Clark's retirement was excellent news for Championship leader Graham Hill, whose BRM continued to pound round Monza in the lead of the race.