Formula One History

Formula One History F1 history from 1950 to modern day. Explore the legendary drivers, circuits, seasons and records with daily F1 on this day articles.

2005 – 8 November, Red Bull announced that renowned designer and aerodynamics expert Adrian Newey would join as chief ...
08/11/2025

2005 – 8 November, Red Bull announced that renowned designer and aerodynamics expert Adrian Newey would join as chief technical officer, enticing him away from McLaren, where he had been since 1997. Ironically, McLaren’s then-weapon—money—became the issue, as Newey reportedly sought a pay rise from $6 million to $10 million, leading him to Red Bull. “It’s a massive recruitment for us,” said Red Bull sporting director Christian Horner. “Given the choice between Adrian and Michael Schumacher, I’d choose Adrian every time. It’s of that magnitude. It shows we’re absolutely serious about our ambitions.” Newey had previously agreed to join Jaguar in 2001, only to reverse his decision after intense meetings with McLaren boss Ron Dennis.

1992 – 8 November, Williams driver Nigel Mansell‘s intended final Formula 1 race at the 1992 Australian Grand Prix tur...
08/11/2025

1992 – 8 November, Williams driver Nigel Mansell‘s intended final Formula 1 race at the 1992 Australian Grand Prix turned sour after a collision with the McLaren of Ayrton Senna while battling for the lead. Frustrated, Mansell walked across the track to avoid a confrontation and criticised the stewards for their inaction, as well as his own Williams team for lack of support. “I’m glad I’m out of it,” he remarked, as he prepared to move to the IndyCar series. “He just rammed me at 40 mph faster than I was going. I ran across the track [otherwise] there would have been a big fight, and I don’t think that’s the way to leave F1. Certain people can get away with what they want.” Meanwhile, Senna, whose teammate Gerhard Berger won the race, remained untroubled by the incident. “I have no bad feelings about it,” Senna said. “I think he’s been complaining, but that’s normal for him. He always complains.”

Berger won by 0.7 seconds from the Benetton of Michael Schumacher, with Schumacher’s teammate Martin Brundle third.

Jan Lammers, Stefano Modena, Mauricio Gugelmin and Olivier Grouillard saw their F1 careers come to an end at the chequered flag. This Grand Prix also proved to be the last for the March team.

Remembering Peter Arundell on his birthday, born 8 November 1933, in Ilford, Essex. He raced in 13 Grand Prix for Lotu...
08/11/2025

Remembering Peter Arundell on his birthday, born 8 November 1933, in Ilford, Essex. He raced in 13 Grand Prix for Lotus between 1964 and 1966 after winning the British Formula Junior Championship in 1962 and 1963.

Seen as a promising talent and second driver to Jim Clark, he debuted in F1 in 1964, finishing third in his first two races. However, his career was disrupted after a severe crash in an F2 event at Reims that season, where he sustained multiple injuries, including two broken legs. Out for the remainder of 1964 and all of 1965, Arundell returned in 1966 but struggled to regain his previous form, retiring at the end of the year. He later moved to Florida, founding a software company.

Sad news from yesterday, remembering Peter Wright — longtime engineer and father of the Lotus 79, the car that won the 1...
07/11/2025

Sad news from yesterday, remembering Peter Wright — longtime engineer and father of the Lotus 79, the car that won the 1978 World Championship with Mario Andretti in the ground-effect era. After retiring in 1994, he served as an FIA consultant and head of the Safety Commission. He was 79 years old.

2010 – 7 November, then Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin took the controls of a bright yellow Renault at a privat...
07/11/2025

2010 – 7 November, then Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin took the controls of a bright yellow Renault at a private test circuit near St. Petersburg. After a briefing from Renault F1 engineers and test drivers, he set off and he reportedly, he reached speeds of up to 240 km/h (150 mph), donning a patriotic helmet emblazoned with the Russian flag and Russia’s national symbol, a double-headed eagle. At one point, Putin temporarily lost control of the car and skidded to a stop.

The event was part of a series of highly publicised displays of machismo that included riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles, piloting aircraft, and going on hunting and fishing trips. The drive, however, wasn’t just a publicity stunt — it came a month after Putin finalised a deal with F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone to bring a Grand Prix to Russia. That agreement led to the construction of the Sochi Autodrom and the country’s first F1 race in 2014.

1993 – 7 November, Ayrton Senna concluded his six years with McLaren triumphantly, winning the Australian Grand Prix—h...
07/11/2025

1993 – 7 November, Ayrton Senna concluded his six years with McLaren triumphantly, winning the Australian Grand Prix—his fifth victory of the season and, ultimately, the 41st and last of his career.

It would also be the last time he would finish on the podium, score points, or even finish a race since the following season, he retired in Interlagos and Aida and tragically died at Imola. It was also the last win for a Brazilian driver until Rubens Barrichello at the 2000 German Grand Prix.

For Williams driver Alain Prost, who had already secured his fourth championship, this was also his final race. Reflecting on the moment, he shared, “It was difficult, thinking it’s the last time you will put your helmet on, put on your gloves, get into the car and think about the start.” On the podium, Senna extended an olive branch to his former rival, but Prost, wary, remarked, “I don’t think now is the right moment to talk about peace. It’s important to make peace while you’re driving, but the last time I tried, a month later, he deliberately crashed into my car at 170 mph. I’m not a hypocrite. For me, it’s too late now.”

Prost’s teammate, Damon Hill, finished the race third.

Wishing Zak Brown a very Happy Birthday! Born 7 November 1971, Brown has brought back the glory years to the McLaren t...
07/11/2025

Wishing Zak Brown a very Happy Birthday! Born 7 November 1971, Brown has brought back the glory years to the McLaren team in recent seasons, with back-to-back Constructors' championships and on the verge of a Drivers' championship in 2025.

1994 – Williams driver Damon Hill takes the win in a rain-drenched Japanese Grand Prix 6 November 1994, Hill breathed ...
06/11/2025

1994 – Williams driver Damon Hill takes the win in a rain-drenched Japanese Grand Prix

6 November 1994, Hill breathed life into his struggling, though ultimately unsuccessful, championship pursuit. The two-part race, interrupted by heavy rain, saw Hill narrowly edge out the Benetton of Michael Schumacher by three seconds. The win meant that Hill needed to finish ahead of Schumacher at the season’s final race in Adelaide to claim the title. “I was on the radio every lap,” Hill recalled, “hearing updates on Michael’s progress, which kept me pushing hard. I told the team there was no point urging me to go faster; I was already at the limit.”

In treacherous conditions, McLaren driver Martin Brundle had a close call as he nearly collided with a caterpillar tractor, clearing Gianni Morbidelli’s stranded Footwork car. “I thought it was over,” Brundle admitted. “I hit standing water, shut my eyes, and braced for impact.” Jean Alesi finished in third for Ferrari.

Hill’s victory brought him within just one point of Schumacher in the Drivers’ Championship with only one race left. This race also marked Erik Comas’s final Grand Prix. It was also the last time in Formula 1 history that a race was split into two parts due to a stoppage, with the final standings determined by aggregate time.

Remembering Peter Collins 6 November, on his birthday. Born in 1931 Collins became a major figure in Formula One and s...
06/11/2025

Remembering Peter Collins 6 November, on his birthday. Born in 1931 Collins became a major figure in Formula One and sports car racing throughout the 1950s. His move to Ferrari in 1956 was pivotal, leading to Grand Prix wins in Belgium and France. He was well-positioned to claim the 1956 Drivers’ Championship but, in an incredible act of sportsmanship, handed his car over to teammate Juan Manuel Fangio during the 1956 Italian Grand Prix—only for it to suffer mechanical failure. Collins ultimately finished the season in third place, but the selfless gesture earned him great admiration in Italy.

Profoundly moved by Collins’ actions, Enzo Ferrari developed a close, almost father-son bond with him. In 1957, Collins was joined at Ferrari by Mike Hawthorn, with whom he formed a close friendship both on and off the track. However, the season proved challenging as the car struggled with competitiveness, and their best results were two third-place finishes.

Things turned around in 1958 with Ferrari’s introduction of the Dino 246, helping Collins to secure his third and final Grand Prix victory at Silverstone, the 1958 British Grand Prix. Unfortunately, just two weeks later, Collins tragically lost his life at the German Grand Prix, where, while chasing leader Tony Brooks, he lost control and was thrown from the car, sustaining fatal injuries after striking a tree.

1989 – Thierry Boutsen clinched victory in a rain-soaked Australian Grand Prix for Williams 5 November, the Australian ...
05/11/2025

1989 – Thierry Boutsen clinched victory in a rain-soaked Australian Grand Prix for Williams

5 November, the Australian GP was stopped after just 70 of the scheduled 81 laps, with 13 of the 25 starters crashing out. Ayrton Senna, who collided with Martin Brundle in a Brabham on lap 14, was outraged by the decision to race in such conditions. “FISA is to blame for allowing this race to happen,” he fumed, likely also frustrated from a recent clash with FISA over his disqualification at the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix. “They complain about us being lunatics, but it’s clear they’re the crazy ones.”

A driver boycott was nearly in the works, and Alain Prost followed through by withdrawing after a single lap, while others persevered. Another vocal critic, Nelson Piquet stated, “This is a dangerous sport and doesn’t need added risks. There’s a line between bravery and recklessness.” Despite the treacherous conditions in Adelaide, worse would come in future years.

Boutsen was followed home by Alessandro Nannini in second and his teammate Riccardo Patrese in third.

Remembering one-time F1 Championship race entry and retiree, Adolf Brudes, who died 5 November 1986. Brude's motorspor...
05/11/2025

Remembering one-time F1 Championship race entry and retiree, Adolf Brudes, who died 5 November 1986. Brude's motorsport career spanned nearly five decades, was a member of the German nobility. Brudes began racing motorcycles shortly after World War I and would go on to compete in everything from hillclimbs to Formula One, enduring war, displacement, and personal loss along the way.

2012 – Kimi wins for Lotus F1, his first since his return to F1 4 November, Kimi Raikkonen claimed victory at the 2012 ...
04/11/2025

2012 – Kimi wins for Lotus F1, his first since his return to F1

4 November, Kimi Raikkonen claimed victory at the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for Lotus after starting fourth on the grid, his first win since his F1 comeback and his first since the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix.

The win also gave the Lotus name its first win since Ayrton Senna won the 1987 Detroit Grand Prix for Team Lotus. Fernando Alonso finished second for Ferrari, narrowing the 2012 Drivers’ Championship gap to ten points behind his rival Sebastian Vettel, who climbed to third after starting from the pit lane.

Raikkonen’s radio message to his engineer on lap 23—“Just leave me alone, I know what I’m doing”—became iconic, capturing his cool-headed approach as he secured the 55-lap race victory.

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