Jochen Rindt became the first posthumous champion after he is killed in practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Another deadful year in terms of accidents with the death of Piers Courage at Zandvoort and Bruce McLaen in a testing accident at Goodwood.

New marques appear in the form of the ambitious March team lead by Max Mosley and de Tomaso who join forces with Williams. Later in the season Ken Tyrrell launched his first car and John Surtees became yet another driver/constructor.

Ferrari and BRM both returned to form with winning machines and pressurised Cosworth who, with so many teams to supply, found themselves under severe pressure.

Jack Brabham, still competitive at 44, finally announced his retirement and brought down the curtain on a brilliantly successful career as a driver and constructor.