What Happened On This Day August 12 In F1 History?

What happened on this day, August 12 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.

1979

Alan Jones won the 1979 Austrian Grand Prix at the Österreichring, securing three consecutive victories for the Williams team. Despite Williams winning the next race as well, the team’s winning streak was ultimately insufficient to prevent Jody Scheckter and Ferrari from claiming both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships that year.

René Arnoux achieved his first pole position as Renault benefited from a turbo power advantage, but he was quickly overtaken at the start and finished sixth due to fuel pick-up problems.

1985

German racer and former F1 driver Manfred Winkelhock was tragically killed in a crash at turn two at Mosport Park near Toronto during the Budweiser 1000 km World Endurance Championship event.

Manfred, the brother of racing driver Joachim Winkelhock, gained fame when he flipped his F2 March at the steep rise-and-fall Flugplatz corner on the Nürburgring in 1980. He competed in 47 Grand Prix between 1980 and 1985, with his only points finish (2 points) driving for the ATS team at the 1982 Brazilian Grand Prix.

1990

Belgian driver Thierry Boutsen secured his third and final victory while driving for Williams at the 1990 Hungarian Grand Prix, withstanding intense pressure from Ayrton Senna driving the McLaren–Honda who finished less than 0.3 seconds behind Boutsen. Nelson Piquet for Benetton finished third.

In the lead-up to the race, Camel announced it would end its sponsorship of Lotus at the close of 1990. Instead, Camel would sponsor Williams and Benetton starting in 1991. This race also marked Alex Caffi’s 50th Grand Prix start.

F1 Driver Birthdays 12 August

F1 Driver Deaths 12 August