| abstract | - The 1963 Italian Grand Prix, officially known as the XXXIV Gran Premio d'Italia, was the seventh round of the 1963 FIA Formula One World Championship, held on 8th of September at Monza. The race would be remembered for numerous battles for the lead of the race and as the deciding round of the Championship, despite there being three races still to go. Jim Clark arrived in Italy having been beaten in Germany, but it still came as a surprise when the Scot was beaten to pole by John Surtees for Ferrari. Off the line, Clark had beaten Surtees off the line and battled with Graham Hill for the lead into Curva Grande, but by the end of the lap Hill led from Surtees with Clark in third. On the fourth lap Surtees forced his way into the lead, with Clark also sneaking past his rival before he and Surtees pulled clear for a private dice for the win. When Surtees retired on lap 17 Clark was well ahead, but he soon fell back into the clutches of Hill, who had Dan Gurney in close attendance. They battled for the lead for over twenty laps before mechanical problems dropped Hill and Gurney down the order, leaving Clark on his own once again. The Scot eased his pace allowing Richie Ginther to unlap himself in the closing stages, but he remained unchallenged to collect his fifth win of the season. The Scot was now just three points off of maximum points and with only three races to go Clark was duly crowned as the World Champion of 1963. Team Lotus were also crowned as the Intercontinental Cup for Manufacturers winners with the result.
|
