It was the first race after the death of former double World Champion Jim Clark, who had died in a non-championship Formula Two event in Hockenheim, Germany the previous month.

[1] Graham Hill was the only works Lotus driver; a second car was entered for Jackie Oliver but could not be set up in time.

Jackie Stewart was absent due to a wrist injury he sustained while driving in a Formula Two race,[1] so it was up to Jean-Pierre Beltoise to debut the new Matra MS10.

During qualifying, Ferrari's Chris Amon took his first ever pole position with Graham Hill for the mourning Team Lotus down in sixth place.

Hulme was close behind Hill, but when his McLaren lost second gear, he needed to back off and the Englishman cruised home.