Coming into this race, Graham Hill led the Drivers' Championship by 39 points ahead of his title rivals Stewart and Hulme, with both trailing their respective frontrunners in the championship by three points each. It was the first time in four years that at least three drivers were still in contention of winning the drivers' title heading into the season finale. If Hill won the title, he would have won his second championship title after clinching his first one six years prior, whilst Stewart had the chance to claim his maiden drivers' title. If Hulme won, he would have become the first driver since
Jack Brabham in 1960 to successfully defend his championship title. The championship would have been won by either of the top three drivers in the following manner: == Classification ==