What happened on this day, August 8 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1953
Nigel Mansell was born on this day in Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire. The 1992 World Champion started 187 Formula One races, achieving 31 wins and 59 podium finishes.
Mansell is widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the history of F1 and motorsport, having won both the Formula One Drivers’ World Championship in 1992 and the CART Indy Car World Series in 1993. By winning these championships in consecutive years, he is the only F1 or Indy Car driver to achieve this feat.
Mansell has also raced in various other series, including the DTM and FIA GT Championship. In 2010, he competed in the Le Mans 24-hour race alongside his sons Greg and Leo but crashed out after only five laps due to a puncture.
Mansell’s incredible contributions to motorsports have earned him a well-deserved place in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in 2005.
1982
On this day in 1982, Eliseo Salazar, the only Chilean Formula One World Championship driver to date, was involved in a dramatic incident with Nelson Piquet at the 1982 German Grand Prix in Hockenheim. Piquet, who was leading the race, lapped Salazar. However, Salazar failed to slow down and crashed into the back of Piquet, taking both drivers out of the race. A furious Piquet jumped out of his car and attacked Salazar, pushing and attempting to kick him. Murray Walker, no longer commenting on the race, exclaimed, “And take that!” as Piquet vented his anger.
Patrick Tambay went on to win the race for Scuderia Ferrari. Rene Arnoux finished second in a Renault, and Keke Rosberg took third for Williams. It marked Arnoux’s 10th career podium finish.
This race also marked the end of Didier Pironi‘s career. He suffered a severe crash during unlimited practice after securing pole for the race, which resulted in leg injuries and dashing his championship hopes.
1989
Brian Naylor, a former British racing driver, passed away on this day in 1989. Naylor competed in seven Formula One races but finished only two of them, both times in 13th place for Cooper and JBM.
The son of a wealthy motor dealer from Stockport, Naylor funded the creation of his own Cooper-based JBW car, though the car struggled to compete at that level. In 1961, he became the first European driver to compete in NASCAR, finishing 42nd in the Daytona 500.
2001
Heinz-Harald Frentzen was sacked by team owner Eddie Jordan halfway through the 2001 F1 season. Frentzen was swiftly replaced by Jordan’s old friend Jean Alesi, who drove for the remainder of the season, with his best result being a sixth-place finish.
F1 Driver Birthday’s 8 August
| Birth Date | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 8 August 1926 | Piero Drogo |
| 8 August 1929 | Jimmy Davies |
| 8 August 1949 | Ricardo Londono |
| 8 August 1953 | Nigel Mansell |
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