Sunday 20 July 2014
On This Day In Formula One - 20 July
1943
Often considered to be the greatest driver never to win a world-championship grand prix, Chris Amon was born in Bulls, New Zealand. At the age of 19 he made his F1 debut with Reg Parnell's racing team and scored his first points before the age of 21. After Parnell's death he competed in the odd race for Brabham before being signed up to drive for Ferrari in 1967. He immediately proved his class and took four podiums but his sought-after win eluded him. In 1970 he joined March where he did record a Formula One win but in the non-championship International Trophy at Silverstone. He won once more on his debut at Matra in 1971, but again it did not count towards the world championship and the rest of the season proved to be a struggle. He should have won the 1972 French Grand Prix but was deprived of almost-certain victory by a puncture. From that point onwards his career fizzled out and his attempt to run his own team in 1974 also proved fruitless. He now lives and works on his family farm and has also developed suspension for car giant Toyota since retiring from racing.
1957
Sir Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks shared victory at the British Grand Prix at Aintree. The event marked the first victory for a British car in Formula One as the Vanwall led the Ferraris of Luigi Musso and Mike Hawthorn across the line. Moss, whose engine had failed, took over team-mate Brooks' car midway through the race, as his fellow Briton was still getting over the injuries from a massive accident at Le Mans that year. Moss rejoined in ninth place but immediately fought his way back into contention. "I came out quite a long way down but that suited me fine," he said. "You see the trouble is that when you are leading and the car fails, you get labelled as a car breaker. But when you're at the back coming through the field they don't care if you break it. So at least I could have a go." He worked his way back up to fourth and then took the lead when Jean Behra's clutch exploded and punctured the tyres of second place Mike Hawthorn. Moss passed team-mate Stewart Lewis-Evans and went on to take a comfortable victory. Over half a century later he told ESPNF1 it was his favourite British Grand Prix he ever took part in: "It was not a great circuit or anything else, but it was the first time a British car won a world championship race. And sharing it with Tony Brooks, who was such a fantastic driver anyway, certainly didn't take anything away from it."
1963
Jim Clark took his second of five eventual British Grand Prix victories in his career. After a shaky start from pole position he had a fairly straightforward race, regaining the four positions he lost on the first lap and going on to take the win by 25 seconds from John Surtees' Ferrari. BRM driver Graham Hill finished third to make it an all British podium at Silverstone.
1985
Keke Rosberg set one of the most incredible qualifying laps of all time at Silverstone, taking pole and lapping at an average speed in excess of 160mph. At the time it was a record and was the last qualifying lap set on one of the fastest layouts of the historic track. His best time was 0.658 up on Williams team-mate Nelson Piquet. The current fastest lap qualifying record is held by Juan Pablo Montoya, who recorded a lap at over 162 mph at Monza in 2004.
2003
One of the most bizarre races of all time took place at Silverstone when a priest, baring a slightly confused religious message, burst on to the Hanger straight and forced drivers to swerve out of his way. Father Cornelius Horan, a defrocked Irish Roman Catholic clergyman, decided to break onto the track in order to spread his message that the world was coming to an end. Needless to say it didn't, but he did nearly stop the race and a safety car had to be deployed so he could be arrested, inadvertently shaking up the order and providing a thrilling race from that point onwards. Rubens Barrichello, who had started the race on pole, dropped a couple of places but got off lightly compared to his Ferrari team-mate Michael Schumacher, Juan Pablo Montoya and Fernando Alonso, who all ended up outside the top ten. Barrichello then mounted a fight back, pulling a brilliant overtaking move around the outside of Kimi Raikkonen at Bridge, to go to take one of the greatest victories of his career. Montoya finished second after his own spirited drive through the field and Raikkonen finished third. Horan was later charged with aggravated trespass and pleaded guilty saying an open gate onto the track had been a sign from God. He was jailed for two months but went on to enjoy more fame several years later on the TV show Britain's Got Talent.
2004
Sebastien Buemi became one of the youngest drivers ever to test an F1 car at just 15-years-old. He was let loose in a 1999 Arrows as a part of a tie-up with his sponsor TAG Huer. "The sensations are extraordinary," said Buemi. "More than ever after this experience I am determined to conquer the Formula BMW Championship in order to gradually climb the rungs that I hope will one day lead to Formula One." He eventually achieved his dream in 2009 when he was signed up as a Toro Rosso race driver.
2008
Lewis Hamilton recovered from a botched strategy to beat world championship-rival Felipe Massa to victory in one of his stand-out performances of his first title-winning season. Hamilton had the race under control until a huge accident involving Timo Glock's Toyota brought out the safety car. Most drivers followed convention and pitted, but Hamilton stayed out on track and lost position when he had to make his stop under racing conditions. However, he then recovered from fifth place with a brilliant display of overtaking around the Hockenheim circuit.Saturday 19 July 2014
On This Day In Formula One - 19 July
1952
Alberto Ascari won every race he entered and became world champion. Source: ESPNF1.com |
1958
Peter Collins' win at Silverstone came against the backdrop of unrest inside Ferrari. Two weeks earlier the irascible Enzo Ferrari had demoted Collins to the No. 2 team but had been forced to backtrack when Mike Hawthorn stood up for his team-mate. Collins started brilliantly, moving into the lead from sixth on the grid within a lap, and when Stirling Moss' Vanwall blew its engine the competition was as good as seen off.
1969
An epic battle between Jackie Stewart and Jochen Rindt was the highlight of the British Grand Prix was settled when Rindt was forced to pit twice for running repairs, allowing Stewart to cruise home by more than a lap. His achievement was notable because the day before he had crashed at Woodcote and had to commandeer Jean-Pierre Beltoise's car.
1975
Emerson Fittipaldi wins the 1975 British Grand Prix. Source: Getty Images. |
[Information By - ESPNF1.com]
Friday 18 July 2014
On This Day in Formula One - 18 July
1953
Alberto Ascari wins the 1953 British Grand Prix. Source: ESPNF1.com |
1959
Again strikes in Italy meant Ferrari missed the British Grand Prix but Tony Brooks, fresh from his win in France, was released by the team and secured a drive in a Vanwall. Jack Brabham in a Cooper took an early lead and was never passed, although there was a fierce battle for second in which Stirling Moss edged out Bruce McLaren by 0.2 of a second.1965
Jim Clark returns to the pits after winning the 1965 Dutch Grand Prix. |
1970
So near and yet so far for Jack Brabham who ran out of fuel on the last lap of the British Grand Prix and could only watch as he was overtaken by Jochen Rindt as he coasted towards the chequered flag. Brabham had enough momentum to make it across the line before he stopped, just beating Denny Hulme into second.
1976
James Hunt alongside pole sitter Niki Lauda at the 1976 British Grand Prix. |
1981
John Watson crosses the line to win the 1981 British Grand Prix. |
1982
Lauda's track record at Brands Hatch wasn't a good one but he made amends by winning the 1982 British Grand Prix after a chaotic start. Starting from pole, Keke Rosberg's Williams refused to get away on the warming up lap as the hot weather had caused the fuel to vaporise. A watering can of cold water did the trick but by then the pack had set off on its warm-up lap and Rosberg started last. When the race began Riccardo Patrese stalled his Braham and was hit by Rene Arnoux's Renault[Information By - ESPNF1.com]
Thursday 17 July 2014
Corrina Schumacher says "Thank you for the support!"
Michael Schumacher's wife Corrina issues her heartfelt thanks to those who have supported the 45-year-old since the seven-time champion's skiing accident in the Alpine resort of Meribel last December.
Corinna Schumacher : “This is a message to all of you who have lived a passion for Michael’s sport in all the years together with him, and who have supported him in the past half year off the track as well. The German Grand Prix gives me the perfect opportunity to cordially thank you all for the good wishes and positive energy you keep sending to Michael. I have to say your sympathies literally blew up all away! Good to know that together we made it through the hardest time! Now we are facing a phase which will presumably take a long time. We trust that – as for so many years in F1 – time will be Michael’s ally in this fight. Until then I would like to wish you and your families all the best as well.”
Sahara Force India Team - By Jake Davis
This fantastic weekly F1 Toon was designed and created by Jake Davis Creative. Prints are available in sizes A4, A3 and A2. Commissions are also available. If you would like to order a PRINT of this fantastic F1 Toon feel free to contact him via:
E-mail - davisjake@hotmail.co.uk
Twitter - @JakeDDCreative
67 Minutes to Change Minds Campaign
Mandela Day is about inspiring change. The '67 Minutes to Change Minds Campaign', encourages change in the way people see Mental Health and also change the well-being of your Mental Health.
Show your support for Mental Health!
All you have to do to participate is:
1. Wear anything Green, take a 'selfie' and post it on The South African Federation for Mental Health Facebook page with a message of support to Mental Health.
2. Share our 'The Road to Good Mental Health' infographic with 67 people or more by posting it on social media, putting it up on the office noticeboard, on your fridge at home or any other place you like. The Road to Good Mental Health is attached below
Show your support for Mental Health!
All you have to do to participate is:
1. Wear anything Green, take a 'selfie' and post it on The South African Federation for Mental Health Facebook page with a message of support to Mental Health.
2. Share our 'The Road to Good Mental Health' infographic with 67 people or more by posting it on social media, putting it up on the office noticeboard, on your fridge at home or any other place you like. The Road to Good Mental Health is attached below
On This Day In Formula One - 17 July
1901
Luigi Chinetti upon receiving the official race plate license. |
1954
As was the case at the time, the big guns were supplemented by local talent for the wet British Grand Prix but it was the Italians who dominated, taking five of the first six places. The Maserati team were late arriving and so started from the back of the grid, but gradually their drivers worked their way through the field - Onofre Marimon overtaking 19 cars on the first lap alone. Fangio took an early lead before transmission problems saw him overtaken by Froilan Gonzalez, Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn. Gonzalez held on to win but Moss suffered rear axle failure, so Hawthorn finished second with Marimon third and Fangio fourth.
1971
1995
Stirling Moss congratulates Juan Manuel Fangio on winning the championship. Source; apimages.com |
"Decades after their prime, the immortals can still change the mood of a room simply by their presence: Bradman, Pele, Ali. In motor racing it was Juan Manuel Fangio," said the Guardian. "More than 30 years after he last acknowledged a chequered flag, fans who had never seen him in action would jostle to glimpse the unprepossessing little Argentine who, by most available yardsticks, had been the greatest racing driver of all time."
A sign of how respected he was came when Ayrton Senna scored his first home victory in Brazil in 1991 and invited Fangio to join him on the victory rostrum.
[Information By - ESPNF1.com]
Wednesday 16 July 2014
On This Day In Formula One - 16 July
1928
Jim Rathmann, born on this day in Alhambra, California, drove in all but one of the 11 Indianapolis 500s between 1950 and 1960 which counted towards the FIA World Championship, winning the last one and also finishing second on three occasions. He also participated in the two runnings of the Race of Two Worlds at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Italy, winning the 1958 event. He had six victories in addition to his Indy 500 win.
1955
Juan Manuel Fangio beats Sir Stirling Moss by three feet at the Nurburgring. |
1960
This British Grand Prix was memorable for the searing pace set by Graham Hill's BRM for much of the race, the moustachioed Londoner leading until a few laps from the finish when he spun off while lapping some slower cars under pressure from the wily Jack Brabham, who was thus able to score another good win for Cooper. Not only did this race showcase Hill's rising star, it did much the same for the brilliant John Surtees who finished a magnificent second on his Grand Prix debut, bringing his Lotus 18 past the chequered flag ahead of his more seasoned team-mate Innes Ireland.
1966
Strikes in Italy meant the Ferraris missed the British Grand Prix and saw the field filled by some quirky local entries. On a drying track, Jack Brabham and Denny Hulme secured a 1-2 for Brabham's eponymous team, while Jim Clark put in a brilliant drive after having to pit without brakes, fighting back to take fourth.
1977
James Hunt driving the McLaren M26 at the 1977 British Grand Prix. |
1978
Lotus' early-season domination ended with a trio of mechanical failures at the British Grand Prix, and a large Silverstone crowd were further disappointed when James Hunt spun off early on, but it allowed Carlos Reutemann to take the win less than two seconds ahead of Niki Lauda.
1983
Alain Prost did not manage to win the 1983 world championship, but his pace and fitness at the wheel of the works Renault RE40 in torrid conditions at Silverstone saw him see off an early challenge from the Ferraris of Patrick Tambay and Rene Arnoux as well as the Brabham-BMW of Nelson Piquet to take one of his most memorable victories. Nigel Mansell was also one of the stars of the show, demonstrating great determination to finish fourth in the promising new Lotus 94T on its debut outing.
1995
A collision Michael Schumacher & Damon Hill ended there race prematurely. |
2000
No end of controversy at the Austrian Grand Prix which was eventually won by Mika Hakkinen in a McLaren. A six-car collision on the first lap forced the retirements of championship leader Michael Schumacher, Giancarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli, and then McLaren were docked ten points because an FIA seal was missing from Hakkinen's car.
2006
Michael Schumacher wins the 2006 French Grand Prix. |
Tuesday 15 July 2014
'Home Grown Hero' - Jake Davis
This fantastic weekly F1 Toon was designed and created by Jake Davis Creative. Prints are available in sizes A4, A3 and A2. Commissions are also available. If you would like to order a PRINT of this fantastic F1 Toon feel free to contact him via:
E-mail - davisjake@hotmail.co.uk
Twitter - @JakeDDCreative
On This Day in Formula One - 15 July
Prince Bira mood after winning the Road Racing Club's Imperial Trophy Race at Crystal Palace |
1914
The birth in Bangkok of Prince Bira, one of the most colourful drivers whose playboy lifestyle ensured he was never far from the headlines either side of the war. A car fanatic from an early age, when at school in England he made it his ambition to become a racing driver. He eventually graduated to a mighty ERA, but his career was interrupted by the Second World War, after which he won various Formula Two races before making his Formula One debut in 1950 for Maserati, finishing fifth at Monaco and then fourth in the Swiss Grand Prix. Running in Maserati, then Gordini, then Connaught, then Maserati again, 'B Bira' raced on until the start of 1955 when he retired.
1961
Ferrari dominated the British Grand Prix with Taffy Von Trips leading home Phil Hill and Ritchie Ginther. The race, which started in the rain and ended in blazing sunshine, was eventful for Stirling Moss who retired, took over Jack Fairman's four-wheel-drive Ferguson only to then be disqualified for having received a push start.
1967
Jim Clark wins the 1967 British Grand Prix |
1972
Emerson Fittipaldi wins the 1972 British Grand Prix |
1990
Alain Prost secured his third successive win to move ahead of Ayrton Senna in the drivers' championship. The early battle had been between Senna and Nigel Mansell as the pair swapped the lead, but mechanical problems took their toll on Mansell while Senna spun off, allowing Prost to cruise home. A fuming Mansell, who eventually had to retire on the 56th lap, said afterwards that he was "much quicker than anyone else … I'm bound to wonder why these problems don't happen to the other guys". He then announced his retirement - "I'm not making an excuse, just a statement … I don't want to burst into tears" - but soon changed his mind.
2001
In his period of dominance, the British Grand Prix was a rare failure for Michael Schumacher as he failed to win despite taking pole, the victory going to Mike Hakkinen. For Heinz-Harald Frentzen it marked the end of his time with Jordan who sacked him following a disappointing season.[Information By - ESPNF1.com]
Monday 14 July 2014
On This Day in Formula One - 14 July
1951
The British Grand Prix was supposed to be about the long-awaited appearance of the BRMs, but they had to settle for fifth and seventh. "The cars showed up exceedingly well," enthused the Guardian. "Their only untoward behaviour was a tendency to roast the driver … both had to receive first-aid treatment for burns to their arms and legs." The writer also noted one other issue: "The engine needs to be permitted to develop full power without the risk of blowing up." The race was won by Froilan Gonzalez in a Ferrari, the first time an Alfa Romeo had failed to win a championship event.
1956
The death of two one-race Formula One drivers - Bill Whitehouse and Herbert MacKay-Fraser - came during an F2 race at Reims. Whitehouse died when his borrowed Cooper-Climax left the track after a tyre burst, somersaulted and exploded in flames, while later on MacKay-Fraser lost control of his Lotus at high speed and was killed on impact.
1956
Fangio wins the 1956 British Grand Prix |
Juan-Manuel Fangio won the British Grand Prix but it wasn't one of his most memorable successes. An early spin put him back down the field but he kept going as a steam of drivers ahead of him were forced to retire. Tony Brooks had a lucky escape when his BRM overturned and caught fire; he was thrown clear and was fortunate to avoid serious injury.
1973
Paul Revson secured his debut F1 win at the British Grand Prix in a race which saw first-lap chaos following a series of accidents. It started when Niki Lauda was rear-ended by Jack Oliver, and at the end of the lap Jodi Scheckter lost control of his McLaren, hit the pitwall, and spun back into the middle of the track where it set in play a nine-car pile-up. Andrea de Adamich was the most seriously hurt, and it took half-an-hour to extract him from his Brabham and another hour before the race could be restarted with a reduced 19-car field.
1979
Clay Regazzoni claims first win for Sir Frank Williams. |
Clay Regazzoni, the oldest man in the field, gave Frank Williams his first grand prix win, and a home one at that. Alan Jones had led early on before his engine overheated. Regazzoni's podium antics were subdued, standing back as Rene Arnoux and Jean-Pierre Jarier splashed around the champagne - the team's Saudi Arabian sponsors insisted there could be no association with alcohol and so he resorted to lemonade.
1991
Mansell gives Senna lift back to the paddock |
All the talk ahead of the British Grand Prix had been about Nigel Mansell, who was second behind Ayrton Senna in the drivers' championship, and the excitement heightened when he took pole. He made a poor start to allow Senna into the lead, but straight away overtook his rival and went on to secure a win which left the 150,000 crowd delighted. "For the last two laps I was so terrified I was going to be left without gears," Mansell admitted after his gearbox started misbehaving. Senna ran out of fuel on the last lap but was saved a long walk back to the pits when Mansell stopped on his victory lap to pick him up.
1996
Another British success was anticipated when Damon Hill took pole; like Mansell, he too made a poor start but did not battle back, spinning off as he tried to pass Mike Hakkinen. For the third consecutive race, Ferrari drivers Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine were both forced to retire with technical issues in the first six laps - Schumacher with hydraulic problems and Irvine with an engine fadeout.
[INFORMATION BY - ESPNF1.com]
Sunday 13 July 2014
Saturday 12 July 2014
Susie Wolff proves herself in Silverstone By - Jake Davis
This fantastic weekly F1 Toon was designed and created by Jake Davis Creative. Prints are available in sizes A4, A3 and A2. Commissions are also available. If you would like to order a PRINT of this fantastic F1 Toon feel free to contact him via:
E-mail - davisjake@hotmail.co.uk
Twitter - @JakeDDCreative
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