F1 Insiders Est. 2012
On this day… 1st January 1981 The 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix was notable in hindsight because it was the maiden victory of a certain Fernando Alonso who at the time was the youngest ever F1 race winner at the tender age of 22. This record was beaten by Sebastian Vettel and at the 2016 Spanish … Read more
On this Day in F1 – 2008 “Ferrari International Assistance” Red faces at the FIA after it was revealed that an agreement with Ferrari meant they would receive US$80 million more than any of their competitors for winning the constructors championship. Insiders had been aware of the deal which was done in 2003 at a … Read more
On this day in F1 – 1997 Williams dismissed of manslaughter charges After a ten-month trial in Monza, a judge in Italy dismissed manslaughter charges against Frank Williams and five other defendants over for the death of Ayrton Senna in 1994. Viviane Senna, the dead driver’s sister, said: “The family will maintain, with regard to … Read more
On this Day in F1 – 1909 The Brickyard is born When the Indianapolis Motor speedway first opened, the terrible track surface meant the first race was a disaster – there were multiple accidents and five people were killed. The owners decided to lay bricks round the track and on this day the work was … Read more
On this day in F1 – 13th December 2007 The curtain finally fell on the Spygate scandal with McLaren’s unreserved apology to the FIA and Ferrari. In a grovelling letter, McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh expressed his team’s “sincere regret” adding it “apologised wholeheartedly” to the FIA for the embarrassment caused. The letter satisfied FIA president … Read more
On this day in F1 – 1959 Sebring produces a number of firsts Brought to you by TJ13 contributor The Grumpy Jackal On this day, fifty-four years ago, the Formula One season finale at the Sebring circuit in Florida would establish a number of firsts. Bruce Mclaren became the youngest ever Grand Prix winner; a … Read more
On this day in F1 – 7th December 2002 – Bernie Ecclestone causes a stir in Parliament An embarrassing day for both Bernie Ecclestone and the government after the Sunday Express revealed the Labour party had attempted to stall a ban on tobacco advertising to aid F1, shortly after Ecclestone had donated £1 million to them. … Read more
Brought to you by TJ13 contributor The Grumpy Jackal On this day in F1 – 5th December 1975 a Funeral for F1 legend On this day forty years ago, over 2,000 people attended the service to celebrate the life of Graham Hill who had been killed just a week before. Outside St. Albans Abbey another 2,000 gathered … Read more
Brought to you by TJ13 contributor The Grumpy Jackal On this day in F1 – 2nd December 1997 On this day, Ken Tyrrell sold his World Championship winning team to the BAR consortium headed by Craig Pollock. After having won three titles in his first six years as an entrant, the teams fortunes slowly gave … Read more
On this day in F1 – 8th November 1992 In what should’ve been ‘Our Nige’s’ last race in formula one, ended with a big shunt with his long term rival, Ayrton Senna during the Australian Grand Prix. He was to return to F1 after a spell at Indycar in the USA (champion in the first … Read more
