What happened on this day, February 20 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1937
Roger Penske, born in Ohio, USA, raced in just two Grands Prix events in 1961 and 1962, proving competitive at the challenging Watkins Glen circuit. Known initially as a racing driver, Penske became renowned after establishing his own team in 1965. The Penske team competed in three F1 seasons from 1974 to 1976 as a works team, achieving its best result of fifth in the 1976 Constructors’ Championship in its final season. They also supplied chassis from 1974 to 1977. The team’s only win was with John Watson at the 1976 Austrian Grand Prix. It was also Watson’s first F1 victory. However, it was in the USA where Penske’s team truly excelled, securing multiple CART and IndyCar titles. It also succeeded in sports car racing, especially with the LMP2 Porsche RS Spyder in the American Le Mans Series and at the Le Mans 24 Hours.
1956
Craig Pollock, born on this day 20 February 1956, in Falkirk, Scotland, is the former team principal who led the British American Racing (BAR) F1 team from 1999 to 2002. Pollock also managed Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 World Drivers’ Champion, from the early 1990s, during the peak of his career, until 2008.
1997
Frank Williams, Patrick Head, and Adrian Newey, along with three Imola race circuit officials, faced trial in Italy, accused of culpable homicide in the death of Ayrton Senna. The trial continued for nearly a year before all were acquitted.
2001
Max Mosley announced his candidacy for a third term as president of the FIA and was re-elected by the World Motor Sport Council, marking another four years of his leadership. He ran for re-election in 2005 but chose not to pursue another term in 2009 after personal scandals almost forced him to step down.
2003
McLaren boss Ron Dennis criticized the FIA for imposing what he saw as dictatorial rules, including banning refuelling and setup changes between qualifying and races and ending remote setting adjustments during races. Dennis remarked, “The FIA is trying to ‘dumb down’ Formula One.”
2005
Flavio Briatore supported Kimi Raikkonen‘s behaviour at a London lap-dancing club, describing the Finn as a “breath of fresh air” in Formula 1. Despite receiving widespread criticism for his actions in the club, Briatore appreciated seeing drivers with distinct personalities. He stated, “If Raikkonen was my driver and he went to a club for a drink and some fun, I would have no problem with that,” said Briatore.”We have to understand that a young driver is not a robot. As long as he is not drinking the night before a race, why not? You don’t want drivers to be like book-keepers. A driver needs to have a personality. What Raikkonen did is like a breath of fresh air. Maybe he should be given a drink before he speaks to the press in future.”
F1 Driver Birthdays 20 February
Birthday | F1 Driver |
---|---|
20 February 1934 | Bobby Unser (d. 2021) |
20 February 1937 | Roger Penske |
Birthday | F1 Mentions |
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20 February 1956 | Craig Pollock Known as the former team principal who managed the British American Racing team from 1999 to 2002. |
F1 Driver Deaths 20 February
Death | F1 Driver |
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20 February 2021 | Chris Craft |
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