What happened on this day, August 15 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1971
Swiss driver Jo Siffert won the 1971 Austrian Grand Prix at the Österreichring, securing his second F1 victory. Emerson Fittipaldi finished second for the Lotus team, while Brabham driver Tim Schenken secured third place. This race also marked the debut of future world champion Niki Lauda. Tragically, it would be Siffert’s last win, as he was killed later that year in a non-championship race at Brands Hatch.
With three races left to go, Jackie Stewart also won the 1971 Drivers’ Championship at this race while driving for the Tyrrell team, despite his race ending with a violent accident when his left rear driveshaft broke, and the wheel was torn off.
1976
English driver John Watson secured his maiden grand prix victory by winning the 1976 Austrian Grand Prix. This marked the first and only win for the Penske team. Legend has it that Watson was forced to shave off his beard after the victory, having promised Roger Penske he would do so if the team won a race.
1993
The build-up to the 1993 Hungarian Grand Prix weekend was filled with rumours that McLaren driver Ayrton Senna was in advanced talks with the Williams team for a drive in 1994. On track, it was business as usual with the Williams of Alain Prost securing pole position, followed by his teammate Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher in the Benetton. However, Prost stalled on the warm-up lap, starting from the back and giving Hill the opportunity to take his maiden Grand Prix victory by over a minute. With Schumacher and Senna retiring, Benetoon driver Riccardo Patrese finished second ahead of Gerhard Berger in the Ferrari. Derek Warwick came in fourth with his Footwork.
1999
McLaren driver Mika Hakkinen needed a win in Hungary to close the gap to Ferrari dreiver Eddie Irvine in the 1999 Drivers’ Championship and qualified on pole ahead of the Ulsterman. Hakkinen established a clear lead, turning the race into a battle for second as McLaren teammate David Coulthard began to close in on Irvine. In the closing laps, Irvine cracked under pressure and slid wide, eventually coming home in third, allowing Coulthard to pass and secure second, much to the delight of his Hakkinen.
2004
Michael Schumacher won the 2004 Hungarian Grand Prix comfortably, finishing ahead of Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello to take his 82nd career victory. In doing so, Schumacher broke his own record for wins in a season with 12. This victory also secured Ferrari its sixth consecutive Constructors’ title.
F1 Driver Birthdays 15 August
| Birthday | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 15 August | n/a |
F1 Driver Deaths 15 August
| Death | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 15 August 2006 | Carlo Dusio |
F1 Champion 15 August
| Date | Team/Driver |
|---|---|
| 15 August 1971 | Jackie Stewart |
| 15 August 2004 | Ferrari |
Seen in:
