What Happened On This Day February 16 In F1 History?

From the birth of French driver Jean Behra in 1921 to a bird strike during testing in South Africa for Jenson Button in 2000.

Lee Parker

By Lee Parker
Updated on January 4, 2025

Jean Behra b.1921
Jean Behra, born in Nice, was a legendary French racing driver and one of the fastest never to win a Formula One championship race // Image: Uncredited

What happened on this day, February 16 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.

1920

Tony Crook, born in Manchester, served as a pilot during World War II before entering motorsport. He participated in the 1952 British Grand Prix and again in 1953 in the Formula 2 Grand Prix races that counted towards the World Championship of Drivers. More famously, he was known for co-owning the luxury British car manufacturer Bristol, remaining with the company until 2007.

1921

Jean Behra, born in Nice, was a legendary French racing driver and one of the fastest never to win a Formula One championship race. Moving from a successful motorcycle racing career, where he won three French championships, Behra competed for renowned teams like Gordini, Maserati, and Ferrari. Known for his fearless racing style, he survived 12 major crashes, losing an ear in one in 1955. His tenure with Ferrari ended abruptly in 1959 after he punched the team manager following a race retirement. Tragically, he died less than a month later in a crash at Avus, driving a Porsche, when his car flew off the banking, and was ejected, striking a flagpole.

2000

During testing in South Africa, Jenson Button narrowly escaped when a bird collided with his Williams car at over 160mph on the Kyalami track. The bird struck the airbox directly above his head, but Button was unharmed and could return to the pits under his own power.

2001

Formula One teams decided to lift the ban on traction control, in place since 1994. The technology, which prevents wheel-spin, was suspected to be secretly used by some teams and went undetected by FIA scrutineers. To level the playing field, it was officially legalised, leading to significant competition among teams. It remained legal until 2008 when it was permanently banned with the introduction of a standard Engine Control Unit by the FIA.

F1 Driver Birthdays 16 February

BirthdayF1 Driver
16 February 1920Walt Faulkner (d. 1956)
16 February 1920Tony Crook (d. 2014)
16 February 1921Jean Behra (d. 1959)

F1 Driver Deaths 16 February

DeathF1 Driver
16 February 2005Russ Klar (b. 1914)

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About The Author

Staff Writer

Lee Parker
Lee Parker

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.

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