What happened on this day, December 29 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1917
Born in Derbyshire, David Hampshire was a company director who funded his racing pursuits. Competing in two F1 races in 1950, his standout victory came in the 1950 Nottingham Trophy Grand Prix, a non-championship event, driving a Maserati.
1925
Jay Chamberlain, an American racer born in Los Angeles, competed in the 1962 British Grand Prix, finishing 15th. He gained greater recognition as the first U.S. Lotus franchise operator, though his partnership with Colin Chapman ended contentiously.
1962
The final round of the season the 1962 South African Grand Prix took place at the East London Circuit in South Africa, three months after the penultimate race in the USA. It was a title showdown between Graham Hill and Jim Clark, with Hill holding a nine-point lead. However, the points system meant Clark could clinch the title with a win. Starting from pole, Clark quickly established a dominant lead of over 30 seconds, appearing poised for victory. Disaster struck on Lap 62 when an oil leak forced him to retire, handing the championship to Hill, who also won the race. The triumph secured Hill’s first World Championship and BRM‘s only Constructors’ title.
1962 South African Grand Prix Race Results
| Pos | No | Driver | Car | Laps | Time/retired | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Graham Hill | BRM | 82 | 2:08:03.300 | 9 |
| 2 | 8 | Bruce McLaren | Cooper Climax | 82 | +49.800s | 6 |
| 3 | 9 | Tony Maggs | Cooper Climax | 82 | +50.300s | 4 |
| 4 | 10 | Jack Brabham | Brabham Climax | 82 | +53.800s | 3 |
| 5 | 11 | Innes Ireland | Lotus Climax | 81 | +1 lap | 2 |
| 6 | 20 | Neville Lederle | Lotus Climax | 78 | +4 laps | 1 |
| 7 | 4 | Richie Ginther | BRM | 78 | +4 laps | 0 |
| 8 | 18 | John Love | Cooper Climax | 78 | +4 laps | 0 |
| 9 | 5 | Bruce Johnstone | BRM | 76 | +6 laps | 0 |
| 10 | 14 | Ernie Pieterse | Lotus Climax | 71 | +11 laps | 0 |
| 11 | 15 | Carel Godin de Beaufort | Porsche | 70 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 21 | Doug Serrurier | LDS Alfa Romeo | 62 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 1 | Jim Clark | Lotus Climax | 61 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 7 | Roy Salvadori | Lola Climax | 56 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 22 | Mike Harris | Cooper Alfa Romeo | 31 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 6 | John Surtees | Lola Climax | 26 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 2 | Trevor Taylor | Lotus Climax | 11 | DNF | 0 |
1969
Allan McNish was born in Dumfries, Scotland. Though initially poised for a Formula 1 career, McNish excelled in sports car racing, claiming two American Le Mans Series championships and two Le Mans 24 Hour victories. He joined F1 in 2002 with Toyota but was replaced after a challenging season. His F1 career is marked by surviving a major crash at Suzuka. The accident at the 130R corner while practising for Toyota’s home race, the 2002 Japanese Grand Prix. In 2003 he was a test driver for Renault, also doing a little TV work for ITV, but the next year he returned to his successful sports car racing career, winning the 12 Hours of Sebring.
1988
British racer Mike Beuttler, a talented F3 driver, died in the USA due to AIDS complications. Beuttler competed in F1 from 1971, driving a non-works March funded by stockbroker friends, with a best result of seventh at the 1973 Spanish Grand Prix.
2013
On 29 December 2013, Formula 1 legend and seven-time champion Michael Schumacher suffered a severe head injury while skiing in the French Alps. The accident occurred when Schumacher fell and struck his head on a rock despite wearing a helmet. He was airlifted to a nearby hospital and underwent multiple surgeries to address life-threatening brain trauma. Schumacher was placed in a medically induced coma for months, sparking global concern and widespread media coverage. His recovery has remained private, with limited updates shared by his family. While his condition has stabilised, Schumacher continues extensive rehabilitation and long-term care.
F1 Driver Birthdays 29 December
| Birthday | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 29 December 1916 | Tony Bonadies |
| 29 December 1917 | David Hampshire |
| 29 December 1925 | Jay Chamberlain |
| 29 December 1969 | Allan McNish |
F1 Driver Deaths 29 December
| Death | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 29 December 1982 | Max de Terra |
| 29 December 1988 | Mike Beuttler |
F1 Champion 29 December
| Date | Driver/Team |
|---|---|
| 29 December 1962 | Graham Hill |
| 29 December 1962 | BRM |
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