What happened on this day, February 25 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1932
Known as the ‘Racing Dentist’, Tony Brooks was born on this day in Cheshire and uniquely balanced his Formula One racing career with his dental training. He gained acclaim in 1957 as a driver for Vanwall and teammate to Stirling Moss, who described him as “the greatest unknown racing driver there has ever been.” Together, they won at Aintree, sharing a car and victory. In 1958, Brooks secured three more wins and narrowly finished third in the 1958 Drivers’ Championship behind Mike Hawthorn and Moss. Driving for Ferrari in 1959, except at the British Grand Prix, where he drove a Vanwall, he clinched two victories. In 1960, Brooks returned to Britain to join the Yeoman Credit Cooper team. He scored points on three occasions but increasingly focused on his garage business in Weybridge. The following year, he went back to BRM, but it was another disappointing season, and he retired from the sport at the end of that year.
Brooks passed away on 3 May 2022 at the age of 90. Following Stirling Moss’s death in April 2020, Brooks was the last surviving Grand Prix winner from the 1950s. After Brooks’s death, three-time World Champion Jackie Stewart, who began racing in the 1960s, became the oldest living Formula One Grand Prix winner.
1944
Jean Todt, born on this day in 1944, has been an influential figure in Formula 1, having served as the Team Principal of Ferrari from 1994 to 2007. Under his leadership, Ferrari enjoyed one of its most successful periods, dominating the sport with multiple Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships. Todt’s strategic decisions and management skills helped to revive Ferrari’s fortunes, turning it into a powerhouse that invariably outperformed its rivals. His tenure is memorable for his collaboration with star driver Michael Schumacher, with whom Ferrari secured five consecutive Drivers’ Championships from 2000 to 2004.
After his time with Ferrari, Jean Todt took on a broader role in motorsport governance as the FIA President, the organisation responsible for overseeing Formula 1 and other international motor racing events. From 2009 to 2021, Todt focused on enhancing safety standards, promoting sustainable practices within the sport, and expanding global access to motor racing. He is also an honorary Automobile Club de France member and the Polo de Paris.
1946
Francois Cevert, a charismatic French driver born in Paris on this day, claimed a single Grand Prix victory during his four seasons with Tyrrell, racing alongside multiple World Champion Jackie Stewart. His triumph at Watkins Glen in 1971 was celebrated by a dominant 40-second lead despite an oil-induced spin. Tragically, Cevert’s career ended during qualifying at the same circuit for the 1974 United States Grand Prix following a harrowing crash against the track’s barriers.
2002
A potential conflict between tyre manufacturers Bridgestone and Michelin was averted when Michelin abandoned its plan to introduce asymmetrical grooves on its tyres. Although regulations required four grooves, they did not specify uniformity. Michelin responded to a caution from the FIA by discontinuing the design.
2004
Cosworth reignited production of the iconic DFV engine, driven by its widespread use in historic racing events. This revival catered to the ongoing demand for spare parts and replacements for the legendary V8 engines that had propelled drivers to twelve F1 championships from 1968 to 1982.
2005
Jean Todt caused a stir in Formula One by proposing Ferrari receive a larger portion of the sport’s revenue, emphasising Ferrari’s unique contribution akin to a star in a movie deserving of higher compensation. This led to Ferrari being awarded an additional £50 million upon signing the 2005 Concorde Agreement, along with annual bonuses that exceeded those of other teams.
2008
Ferrari extended its support to the Italian Olympic team, focusing mainly on winter sports like bobsleigh and luge. They also contributed technical advice on constructing canoes and boats for summer Olympic disciplines.
F1 Driver Birthdays 25 February
| Birthday | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 25 February 1924 | Chuck Leighton (d. 2003) |
| 25 February 1932 | Tony Brooks (d, 2022) |
| 25 February 1944 | Francois Cevert (d. 1973) |
| Birthday | F1 Mentions |
|---|---|
| 25 February 1946 | Jean Todt |
F1 Driver Deaths 25 February
| Death | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 25 February | None |
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