Jean-Pierre Beltoise
Jochen Rindt got the jump, when the flag dropped, over the dominant Brabham-Hondas, leading into the first corner. However, by the Virage du Nouveau Monda (turn four), Jack Brabham was past and opened a three-second lead by the end of lap one. Rindt was second, following by Jean-Pierre Beltoise, Graham Hill, Alan Rees and Richard Attwood.