The first World Championship United States Grand Prix took place at Sebring, Florida, on 12 December 1959. It was the final race of the season, with Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks still competing for the World Championship.
Brabham was leading the race when his Cooper ran out of fuel just a few hundred metres from the finish. Determined to complete the race, the Australian climbed out and pushed his car across the line, finishing fourth. It was enough to secure his first World Championship.
The race was won by Bruce McLaren, just 22 years old, who became the youngest Grand Prix winner in Formula One history at the time. His record would stand for more than four decades.