What happened on this day, July 10 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1928
Alessandro de Tomaso, who was born on this day in Buenos Aires, made little mark as a driver in F1 – three unmemorable races – but he founded the Italian sports car company De Tomaso Automobili in 1959, and later built up a substantial business empire. His family fled Argentina in 1955 after he was implicated in a plot to assassinate president Juan Peron.
1946
Jean-Pierre Jarier, who was born on this day, raced in 134 grands prix between 1973 and 1983 but, despite being both fast and brave, he never won one. He was at his best for the Shadow team in the mid-1970s, and lost the 1975 Brazilian Grand Prix only when a fuel-system issue forced him to retire. Similarly, when a chance to revive his career came with Lotus in 1978, he was dominating the 1978 Canadian Grand Prix before brake problems intervened.
1955
Jerry Hoyt, who died on this day while taking part in a sprint race, drove in four Indianapolis 500s when they were included in the F1 World Championship. In 1955 he started on pole despite being only the 10th fastest qualifier.
1965
Jim Clark held on to win the 1965 British Grand Prix by three seconds from Graham Hill, his fourth consecutive victory at the event. He appeared set for an easy win but on the final laps his Lotus began to misfire allowing Hill to eat away at his lead. British entrants took all top-five places.
1988
Ayrton Senna won a wet 1988 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, but the loudest cheers of the day were reserved for Nigel Mansell, who chipped his way through the field to take second. It was less memorable for Alain Prost who retired on the 24th lap moaning his car was handling too badly for him to continue.
1994
On this day, 10 July, what started as a poor weekend for Damon Hill when the suspension on his Williams fell apart on the first practice lap finished with him winning the 1994 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Michael Schumacher’s good start was undone when he was slapped with a five-second stop-go penalty for twice overtaking Hill on the formation lap, but his Benetton team refused to call him in, arguing the notification of the punishment was not handled properly. Eventually, he was black, but he ignored that as well, claiming he hadn’t seen it. It took a race director’s visit to the Benetton pit to finally bring the team to heel. That allowed Hill to take the lead, and Schumacher, $25,000 worse off after an FIA fine, finished second before his disqualification – promoting Jean Alesi in the Ferrari to second.
Rubens Barrichello collided with Mika Hakkinen on the final lap, Hakkinen finding a way to limp home and being promoted to third for McLaren post race, with the late Princess Diana presenting the trophies.
2005
Juan Pablo Montoya won the 2005 British Grand Prix, but second-placed Fernando Alonso was left fuming after being caught up in traffic.
F1 Driver Birthday’s 10 July
| Birth Date | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 10 July 1918 | Frederick G. “Fred” Wacker Jr. |
| 10 July 1926 | Anthony Frank “Tony” Settember |
| 10 July 1928 | Alejandro de Tomaso |
| 10 July 1932 | Carlo Maria Abate |
| 10 July 1946 | Jean-Pierre Jacques Paul Jarier |
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