Formula 1 historical archive

Jim Clark won the 1966 United States Grand Prix

Jim Clark won the 1966 United States Grand Prix for Team Lotus, ahead of Jochen Rindt and John Surtees at Watkins Glen International.

Browse the full classification, related season, driver, team, circuit, and championship history.

Race recap

Winner
Jim Clark
Team
Team Lotus
Top listed
Jim Clark, Jochen Rindt, and John Surtees
Race date
October 2, 1966
Pole
Jack Brabham
Fastest lap
John Surtees
Classified drivers
19
Circuit
Watkins Glen International

The decisive result

Jim Clark finished first for Team Lotus. Jochen Rindt is listed 2 for Cooper, with John Surtees 3 for Cooper.

Grid to finish

Peter Arundell from P19 to P6 (+13), Jo Siffert from P13 to P4 (+9), and Jochen Rindt from P9 to P2 (+7) recorded the largest positive grid-to-finish changes in the classification. Jack Brabham started from the listed P1 grid position.

Status and fastest lap

The classification lists 5 Engine, 2 +1 lap, 2 +3 laps, 2 NC, and 1 +7 laps. John Surtees holds the fastest-lap entry at 1:09.670 on lap 31. It records the result without speculating about incidents or strategy.

This summary sticks to the classification and does not speculate about incidents, strategy, weather, or causes. Source: F1DB (CC BY 4.0) · updated Jul 26, 2026.

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Race classification
PosDriverConstructorTime / statusPoints
1Jim ClarkTeam Lotus2:09:40.1009
2Jochen RindtCooper+1 lap6
3John SurteesCooper+1 lap4
4Jo SiffertCooper+3 laps3
5Bruce McLarenMcLaren+3 laps2
6Peter ArundellTeam Lotus+7 laps1
DNFInnes IrelandBRMAlternator0
NCRichie GintherHonda+27 laps0
DNFMike SpenceTeam LotusIgnition0
DNFRonnie BucknumHondaEngine0
NCJo BonnierCooper+51 laps0
DNFJack BrabhamBrabhamEngine0
DNFJackie StewartBRMEngine0
DNFGraham HillBRMDifferential0
DNFLorenzo BandiniFerrariEngine0
DNFDenny HulmeBrabhamEngine0
DNFDan GurneyEagleClutch0
DNFPedro RodríguezTeam LotusRetirement0
DSQBob BondurantEagleDSQ0