What Happened On This Day December 11 In F1 History?

What happened on this day, December 11 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.

1975

Two weeks after the tragic death of Graham Hill, the Hill F1 team faced another blow when its main sponsor, tobacco company WD & HO Wills, announced its withdrawal. The decision effectively doomed the team, with a spokesperson stating, “There is not enough time to rebuild the team to the standards of competitiveness we had set ourselves for the coming season.”

1998

China’s inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix, initially planned for 28 March 1999, was postponed on this day when the FIA determined the Zhuhai International Circuit needed another year for proper preparation. The race ultimately debuted in 2004, but at the Shanghai International Circuit.

2003

Ho-Pin Tung became the first Chinese driver to test a Formula 1 car when he drove the Williams FW24 in Spain. His opportunity came after dominating the Formula BMW Asia series. Describing the experience, he admitted, “It was terrifying.” Zhou Guanyu ultimately became the first-ever Chinese driver to race in a Championship race and season with Alfa Romeo from the 2022 season and eventually bowed out at the end of the 2024 season with the Stake F1 Team, better known as Sauber.

2003

Michael Schumacher raced against a Eurofighter Typhoon in his Ferrari F2003 at the Baccarini military airport near Rome, attempting to prove he could outpace a jet. The contest spanned three distances—600, 900, and 1200 meters—but Schumacher lost 2-1. With a top speed of 370 kph, the Ferrari was outmatched by the fighter jet’s 2450 kph. The jet, stripped of its weapons, weighed 21,000 kilos compared to the Ferrari’s mere 600. The event commemorated 100 years of manned flight and the 50th anniversary of Tazio Nuvolari’s death. Nuvolari had famously raced his Alfa Romeo 8C2300 against a Caproni 100 biplane in 1931. Reflecting on the race, Schumacher said, “It was a very interesting experience. I was glad to be here today—it was very impressive.”

F1 Driver Birthdays 11 December

Birthday	F1 Driver
11 December	None

F1 Driver Deaths 11 December

Death	F1 Driver
11 December 1991	Bud Rose
11 December 2008	Giovanni de Riu

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Lee is our staff writer specialising in anything technical within Formula 1 from aerodynamics to engines. Lee writes most of our F1 guides for beginners and experienced fans having followed the sports since 1991, researching and understanding how teams build the ultimate machines. Like everyone else on the team he listens to podcasts about F1 and enjoys reading biographies of former drivers.