What happened on this day, February 14 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1944
Ronnie Peterson, born on this day in Örebro, Sweden, was recognised as one of his generation’s most skilled racing drivers. Known for pushing cars to their limits, Peterson quickly became a fan favourite and was highly respected by his peers. He made his Formula 1 debut with March in 1970, and by his second season, he was the runner-up in the championship, losing to Jackie Stewart. Viewed as a potential champion, Peterson had his best opportunity in 1978 as the second driver to Mario Andretti at Lotus. Despite often holding back to support Andretti rather than challenge him, Peterson showed immense promise. He was set to become McLaren‘s lead driver in 1979, but a tragic accident at the 1978 Italian Grand Prix cut his career short. After surviving a severe crash that broke both his legs, Peterson succumbed to complications from a bone marrow embolism the next day.
1981
Will Buxton, born on 14 February 14 1981, is a motorsports broadcaster well known for his work as a presenter for F1 TV. Buxton has gained wide popularity through his role as a pit lane reporter and insightful commentary to the official Formula 1 broadcasts. He is also well recognised for his appearances in the Netflix series “Drive to Survive,” where he adds to the series narrative, offering insights into the sport and its personalities, often creating well-known memes.
1997
At Alexandra Palace in London, McLaren launched its 1997 Formula 1 car, attended by celebrities such as the Spice Girls and Jamiroquai. The event, one of the most lavish in F1 history, introduced the first McLaren car adorned with a striking silver livery, away from the traditional red and white Marlboro colours. The launch marked a resurgence for McLaren, culminating in a win during the car’s debut race—the team’s first victory since Ayrton Senna in 1993 who went to Williams in 1994. By the following year, McLaren clinched the 1998 Constructors’ Championship and the 1998 and 1999 Drivers’ Championship with Mika Hakkinen. The 1998 title would be the team’s last until the 2024 season, following a 26-year drought.
2001
Nigel Mansell announced a return to Formula 1, driving a two-seater Minardi for exhibition runs at select events, part of a corporate hospitality program led by team boss Paul Stoddart. The announcement dispelled rumours of Mansell making a full-season comeback alongside Fernando Alonso.
2002
Environmental and heritage groups opposed Michael Schumacher‘s proposal to construct a lavish residence complete with heliports and garages in a small Swiss village near Altenrhein. Schumacher initially sought this location to provide his children with an education in German. However, facing opposition, he instead purchased a $10 million farm spanning 32 acres near Geneva’s Lac Leman.
2003
In an effort to enhance Formula 1 racing, Max Mosley, then-president of the FIA, implemented a rule banning refuelling from the end of qualifying until the race start. This meant that teams and drivers had to qualify with race fuel. This new regulation aimed to introduce a mix of race strategies, influencing whether drivers opted for speed in qualifying or prioritised race pace. The rule was eventually abolished in 2010 when in-race refuelling was also banned.
F1 Driver Birthdays 14 February
| Birthday | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 14 February 1913 | Bayliss Levrett |
| 14 February 1942 | Ricardo Rodriguez |
| 14 February 1944 | Ronnie Peterson |
| 14 February 1986 | Michael Ammermuller |
| Birthday | F1 Mentions |
|---|---|
| 14 February 1981 | Will Buxton Known as a British motorsport journalist and presenter who works for Formula One. |
F1 Driver Deaths 14 February
| Death | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 14 February 1976 | Piero Scotti (b. 1909) |
| 14 February 1988 | Cal Niday (b. 1914) |
Seen in:
