What Happened On This Day August 17 In F1 History?

What happened on this day, August 17 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.

1952

Ferrari dominated the 1952 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, achieving a 1-2-3 finish with Alberto Ascari leading Giuseppe Farina and Luigi Villoresi. Cooper driver Mike Hawthorn, who qualified third, moved up to second in the early stages but eventually finished fourth. Ascari overtook Juan Manuel Fangio‘s record, at the time, for the most race wins, scoring his seventh at this race.

1952

Nelson Piquet, a three-time Formula One World Champion, was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Although he won his last title with Williams in 1987, he is best remembered for his championships with Brabham in 1981 and 1983. Interestingly, Piquet is a pseudonym he adopted his mother’s maiden name to hide his racing activities from his family; his birth name is Nelson Soutomaior. He also manages his sons, Nelson Piquet Jr. and Pedro Piquet, who are also professional racing drivers.

1975

Italian driver Vittorio Brambilla achieved his first Grand Prix victory at the 1975 Austrian Grand Prix, defeating British drivers James Hunt in a Hesketh and Tom Pryce in a Shadow, who earned his first podium finish. Starting from eighth on the grid, Brambilla drove his March through the field and overtook Hunt on lap 19 to take the lead. As conditions worsened, the race organisers were petitioned to stop the race. When the checkered flag was shown, an elated Brambilla lost control of his car and crashed. He managed to rejoin and completed his victory lap with the front end of his car significantly damaged.

1980

Jean-Pierre Jabouille secured victory at the 1980 Austrian Grand Prix for Renault, with the Williams duo of Alan Jones and Carlos Reutemann finishing second and third. Jones initially led the race but was soon overtaken by the Renaults. A clutch problem caused Rene Arnoux to fall back, and Jabouille narrowly held off Jones, who was struggling with fading tyres.

1986

McLaren driver Alain Prost won the 1986 Austrian Grand Prix at the Osterreichring, just a week after Formula One’s inaugural visit to Hungary. The Benetton-BMWs of Teo Fabi and Gerhard Berger initially led the race but retired due to mechanical issues. Following the retirements of Williams drivers Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet, Prost led the Ferraris of Michele Alboreto (P2) and Stefan Johansson (P3) to the finish line.

2000

Jenson Button‘s career made headlines when it was announced that Frank Williams would loan him to the Benetton team for two seasons, making room for Colombian IndyCar star Juan Pablo Montoya. Button expressed his gratitude, saying, “I will always be eternally grateful to Frank Williams and Patrick Head for giving me my great opportunity in Formula One. I have some unfinished business at Williams.”

F1 Driver Birthdays 17 August

F1 Driver Deaths 17 August