What Happened On This Day February 23 In F1 History?

From Juan Manuel Fangio's abduction in Cuba in 1958 to the death of F1 driver and team owner Wilson Fittipaldi in 2024.

Ben

By Ben Bush
Updated on January 8, 2025

Wilson Fittipaldi was Born 25 December 1943
F1 driver, Wilson Fittipaldi was born 25 December 1943 and died 23 February 2024 // Image: Uncredited

What happened on this day, February 23 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.

1953

Satoru Nakajima, a respected figure in Formula 1, was born in Aichi, Japan. From 1987 to 1991, he raced for Lotus and Tyrrell. With strong ties with Honda, the two teams used its engines in his first two years at Lotus and his final year at Tyrrell. After Honda ended its engine supply in 1992, Nakajima left racing to focus on developing the Honda F1 car, the RC 101, which he tested in 1993 at Suzuka. Despite the project’s cancellation, Nakajima’s impact on the sport remained, and he is the father of former Williams F1 driver Kazuki Nakajima.

1958

Juan Manuel Fangio was abducted by Cuban revolutionaries linked to Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. The incident happened at gunpoint in his hotel before the 1958 Havana Grand Prix, which he had previously won. Despite the circumstances, Fangio remained composed and was released unscathed after the race. He chose not to identify his abductors and expressed sympathy for Cuba’s communist movement. Fangio later revisited Cuba, praising his return and meeting with Fidel Castro. The 1958 race continued without Fangio and was overshadowed by a fatal accident involving Armando Garcia Cifuentes, who crashed his Ferrari, resulting in the deaths of six spectators.

2008

Paul Frere, a celebrated figure in motor racing, passed away on this day at 91 in Brussels. Although born in France, he raced under the Belgian flag in 11 Grands Prix races from 1952 to 1956 without committing to an entire season. He raced for Ferrari and Gordini, finishing second in his last F1 race, the 1956 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps. Frere also triumphed at the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Ferrari 250 TR, alongside four class wins between 1953 and 1960. He later became a respected motorsport journalist. A corner, turn 15, at Spa Francorchamps is named in his honour.

2009

The legal case known as “Spygate” against McLaren engineers Paddy Lowe, Jonathan Neale, and Rob Taylor concluded without a contest plea. This followed an agreement with the Modena district attorney, where, in return for not contesting the copyright infringement charges concerning Ferrari’s data, Coughlan agreed to pay €180,000, and the other three contributed €150,000 each.

2024

Remembering Wilson Fittipaldi, who died on this day. A Brazilian F1 driver and former owner of the Fittipaldi F1 team, he took part in 38 World Championship Formula One Grands Prix, making his debut on 1 May in the 1972 Spanish Grand Prix. He secured three championship points from 35 race starts. He managed the Fittipaldi Formula One team from 1974 to 1982 and competed in several non-championship Formula One races for Lotus, Brabham, and his own team. He was the older brother of CART champion and double Formula One world champion Emerson Fittipaldi.

F1 Driver Birthdays 23 February

BirthdayF1 Driver
23 February 1928Hans Herrmann
23 February 1946Alberto Colombo
23 February 1953Satoru Nakajima

F1 Driver Deaths 23 February

DeathF1 Driver
23 February 1960Arthur Legat (b. 1898)
23 February 1994Marvin Burke (b. 1918)
23 February 2001Sergio Mantovani (b. 1929)
23 February 2008Paul Frere (b. 1917)
23 February 2023Slim Borgudd (b. 1946)
23 February 2024Wilson Fittipaldi (b. 1943)

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About The Author

Staff Writer

Ben Bush
Ben

Ben is a staff writer specialising in F1 from the 1990s to the modern era. Ben has been following Formula 1 since 1986 and is an avid researcher who loves understanding the technology that makes it one of the most exciting motorsport on the planet. He listens to podcasts about F1 on a daily basis, and enjoys reading books from the inspirational Adrian Newey to former F1 drivers.

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