| abstract | - The 1965 United States Grand Prix was the ninth and penultimate round the 1965 FIA Formula One World Championship, held at the Watkins Glen circuit on the 3rd of October. Officially recognised as the VIII United States Grand Prix, the 1965 edition of the USGP saw New York born (but California raised) racer Dan Gurney just fall shy of a historic home victory. The World Championship had already been tied up in favor of Scottish racer Jim Clark and his backers Team Lotus, but the F1 circus still arrived at near-enough full strength for the blast around the picturesque Glen. Qualifying had long been a staple for Clark, but he was beaten to pole by long time rival Graham Hill, while Richie Ginther was the best American starter in the V12 Honda. When the flag dropped on Sunday, Hill managed to beat Clark off the line to take an early lead, with his team mate Jackie Stewart elbowing his way up to third. The two leaders, however, were set to enter a private duel for the lead, with Clark snatching the lead on lap two before Hill retaliated on lap five. Over the course of the race, Hill and Clark were able to pull clear from Stewart and Lorenzo Bandini, and when Clark and Stewart retired the Englishman was all on his own. Bandini fell to Gurney and Jack Brabham in quick succession, and it was the New Yorker who set off after Hill, prompting the Englishman to make a rare mistake. Gurney, however, was unable to capitalise, running off the circuit at the same spot a few laps later to fall back behind teammate Brabham. A brief inter team battle followed before Gurney once again set about catching Hill, but time ran out well before he could get within attacking distance. Brabham claimed third ahead of Bandini, while Pedro RodrÃguez and Jochen Rindt completed the points.
|
