What happened on this day, February 13 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1948
Born in Dunfermline, Scotland, Jim Crawford started his motorsport career with financial struggles, working as a mechanic while seeking a break into racing. His opportunity arose when he joined the Formula Atlantic circuit, finding success until Lotus offered him a spot after Jacky Ickx retired. Crawford’s Formula One debut at the 1975 British Grand Prix ended abruptly due to a crash, and despite another chance at the 1975 Italian Grand Prix, where he finished 13th, he did not meet team expectations and was let go. He later competed in the Aurora AFX British Championship and moved to Champ Cars in the USA. Post-racing, Crawford became a fishing boat skipper in Florida but tragically died of a heart attack aged 54.
1997
Four-time World Champion Alain Prost acquired Ligier to establish Prost Grand Prix, taking over a team that had been part of Formula One since 1976 but had not been competitive since the early 1980s. The new team achieved some initial success, securing two podium finishes and placing sixth in the 1997 Constructors’ Championship during its debut season. Despite this promising start, the team struggled to maintain its performance and ultimately ceased operations in 2001.
2004
Tensions between Williams team principal Patrick Head and driver Juan Pablo Montoya flared. Head suggested Montoya’s decision to join McLaren in 2005 stemmed from a dispute at the 2003 French Grand Prix. Montoya had vehemently criticised his team via radio, suspecting they had favoured his teammate Ralf Schumacher by altering race strategies. Head believed this incident, where Montoya felt unfairly reprimanded, influenced his swift decision to switch teams.
2005
Maurice Trintignant, the last person to race a Bugatti in a Grand Prix, passed away at the age of 87. He drove a Bugatti Type 251 in the 1956 French Grand Prix, becoming the last driver to represent the famed marque at a Grand Prix race. A notable racer in the 1930s, his peak years were interrupted by World War II. Nevertheless, he achieved remarkable success, including two victories at the 1955 and 1958 Monaco Grand Prix. He ended his F1 career with 10 Podiums, having driven for major teams such as Ferrari, Gordini and Vanwall. Trintignant later competed in the 2000 Historic Grand Prix of Monaco, reunited with the Cooper T45 he had driven to victory in 1958. He is also known for winning the 1954 24 Hours of Le Mans with Jose Froilan Gonzalez in a Ferrari 375 Plus.
F1 Driver Birthdays 13 February
| Birthday | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 13 February 1921 | Mile Oliver |
| 13 February 1922 | Willi Heeks |
| 13 February 1948 | Jim Crawford |
F1 Driver Deaths 13 February
| Death | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 13 February 1976 | Paul Russo (b. 1914) |
| 13 February 2005 | Maurice Trintignant (b. 1917) |
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