Sir Jackie Remembers His Friend

Clive Rose photo

Sir Jackie Stewart paid an emotional tribute to his old friend and two-time Formula 1 champion Jim Clark during the 2025 Goodwood Revival.

This year's prestigious event at the Goodwood Motor Circuit is celebrating 60 years since Clark's second championship victory in 1965.

He was a wonderful friend. As two Scots, to participate in Formula 1 at that time was something new, but Jim was a very, very good friend of Helen and I," Sir Jackie said at the event.

"Throughout his career, he was the cleanest, best driver that I had ever been playing part of. We shared in London an apartment together, John Whitmore gave it to us, and Jim and I spent a lot of time there.

"So even now, I feel sensitive about the whole thing," he added as he choked up. 

As part of the celebrations for the two-time F1 champion, 50 sheep were unleashed onto the circuit in a nod to Clark's humble beginnings in Fife, Scotland, where he grew up as the son of a sheep farmer. Over 30 cars related to Clark and his career also took to the circuit, including the Lotus 25, the Lotus 38 and several Ford Cortinas, for the St. Mary's Trophy.

In addition to winning the 1963 and 1965 championship titles, Clark amassed 25 grand prix wins, 32 podium finishes, 33 pole positions and 28 fastest laps over his F1 career, which spanned from 1960 to 1968. He also broke the lap record at the Goodwood Motor Circuit alongside Sir Jackie in 1965, which still stands to this day.

A trophy was designed by the Duke of Richmond's grandfather, Freddie March, in 1960 to be awarded to any driver who reached 100 mph on the circuit. Clark had received his trophy, but Sir Jackie hadn't received his until this weekend. 

“It’s such a privilege to celebrate Jim Clark at the Goodwood Revival this year," the Duke of Richmond explained. "His achievements in 1965 are the stuff of legend, including uniquely winning the Formula 1 World Championship and the Indy 500 in the same season.