Jo Schlesser's fatal crash in the new Honda RA302 prompted major Formula One safety reforms and closed Rouen-Les-Essarts as an F1 venue.
Key Facts
- Race date
- 7 July 1968
- Circuit
- Rouen-Les-Essarts
- Race length
- 60 laps
- Race winner
- Jacky Ickx (Ferrari)
- Fatal accident driver
- Jo Schlesser (Honda RA302), lap 3
- Championship round
- Race 6 of 12
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Honda introduced the new RA302 chassis for the 1968 French Grand Prix. Regular Honda driver John Surtees refused to race it, citing safety concerns over the untested car, which used magnesium components. French driver Jo Schlesser was selected as a replacement to pilot the new machine.
Held on 7 July 1968 at Rouen-Les-Essarts, the race was won by Jacky Ickx for Ferrari, with John Surtees second and Jackie Stewart third. On lap three, Schlesser lost control of the Honda RA302, which overturned and ignited, partly due to its magnesium construction. Schlesser died in the accident.
Schlesser's death was regarded as a turning point in Formula One safety, spurring stricter precautions at subsequent races. The 1968 French Grand Prix was also the final Formula One event held at the Rouen-Les-Essarts circuit, ending its use as an F1 venue.