What Happened On This Day February 26 In F1 History?

What happened on this day, February 26 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.

1908

Jean-Pierre Wimille emerged as a well-known figure in post-war auto racing and a hero of the French Resistance. His potential in the burgeoning Formula One World Championship was cut short by his tragic death in 1949 during a practice session for the Argentine Grand Prix. He had an illustrious career with victories at the Swiss and Belgian GPs in 1947 and the French and Italian GPs in 1948, dominating that season. His fatal crash was reportedly caused by either a blinding shaft of sunlight or an attempt to avoid a dog, marking a sad end to his career as he wore a crash helmet for the first time.

1917

Robert La Caze, the sole Formula 1 driver to race under the Moroccan flag, was born in Paris but held Moroccan citizenship. He ventured into motorsport through rallies across North Africa, leading to his participation in the 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix as a privateer. Driving a Formula 2 spec Cooper T45, he finished 14th after starting 23rd. Beyond racing, La Caze ran a garage in Marrakech and was celebrated as a national skiing champion. He was the oldest living World Championship driver after the death of Paul Pietsch in May 2012 until his own death in July 2015.

2007

Honda unveiled its “Earth Dreams” livery for the RA107 car to a mixed reception. The novel livery featured a world map instead of traditional sponsor logos, aligning with an initiative to promote environmental awareness. The management proposed a new sponsorship model where companies could support environmental charities instead of direct advertising, gaining recognition on the team’s website. However, scepticism arose, with critics pointing to Formula 1’s longstanding carbon neutrality since 1997 through the FIA-supported Scolel Te project in South America. The car underperformed, the livery was perceived as confusing, and by 2009, Honda had exited Formula 1.

2009

After initially threatening a strike, F1 drivers ultimately agreed to an increase in their Superlicence fees. The controversy began in 2008 when the cost of a basic license surged from €1,690 to €10,000, and the fee per point from the previous season rose dramatically from €447 to €2,000. The intention was to leverage the earnings of the highest-paid drivers to enhance safety standards. Despite strong resistance and warnings from the Grand Prix Drivers Association about underestimating driver solidarity, the issue was eventually not chased further.

2009

The development of the F1-X theme park in Dubai was postponed due to the financial crisis, which restricted bank funding. The park, costing an estimated $360 million, is designed to offer a variety of Formula 1-themed attractions and experiences. Despite the delay, plans were changed to aim for a 2010 opening, reflecting continued promise to the project despite economic challenges.

F1 Driver Birthdays 26 February

F1 Driver Deaths 26 February