What Happened On This Day July 18 In F1 History?

What happened on this day, July 18 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.

1953

Italian dominance, courtesy of Ferrari and Maserati, was anticipated at Silverstone for the 1953 British Grand Prix, and the race unfolded as expected. Alberto Ascari seized the lead from the start and maintained his position throughout, never once being challenged. He would go on to win the drivers’ title that year.

1959

Due to strikes in Italy, Ferrari missed the 1959 British Grand Prix. However, Tony Brooks, fresh off his victory in France, was released by the team and secured a drive with Vanwall. Driving a Cooper, Jack Brabham took an early lead and remained unchallenged throughout the race. The second-place battle was intense, with Stirling Moss narrowly edging out Bruce McLaren by just 0.2 seconds.

1965

Jim Clark showcased his dominance at the 1965 Dutch Grand Prix, quickly overtaking Richie Ginther and Graham Hill within the first five laps and cruising to victory. This win marked his fifth in six races that season, virtually securing the championship title for Clark. For Hill to have any chance of overtaking him, he would have needed to win all four remaining races.

1970

Jack Brabham came heartbreakingly close to victory in the 1970 British Grand Prix, only to run out of fuel on the final lap. As he coasted towards the chequered flag, Jochen Rindt overtook him for the win. Brabham had just enough momentum to cross the finish line ahead of Denny Hulme, securing second place.

1976

The 1976 British Grand Prix was one of the most controversial in history, with the final outcome not determined until 24 September, over two months after the chequered flag. Initially, James Hunt, driving for McLaren, was declared the winner, but his victory was later overturned following an appeal by Ferrari.

The controversy began when the race was red-flagged after a pile-up at the first corner, leading to a restart. James Hunt, whose car was damaged in the crash, faced disqualification from the restart; the race stewards announced that no driver would be allowed to take part in the restarted race unless they were in their original car and that they had finished the first lap of the original race. However, due to the stewards’ fear of the large, angry crowd throwing beer cans onto the track and chanting, “We want Hunt!” they caved and allowed Hunt to use his repaired car and rejoin the grid.

During the race, Niki Lauda took the lead until lap 45, when gearbox problems forced him to slow down, allowing Hunt to pass and eventually win the race. Ferrari immediately protested, claiming Hunt had already been eliminated when the red flag was shown. Hunt argued that his car was still moving despite a severely damaged chassis and pointed out that Ferrari driver Niki Lauda caused the crash.

Although the stewards initially rejected Ferrari’s protest, the case was referred to the FIA, which ultimately ruled in Ferrari’s favour. This decision had the potential to be decisive in the 1976 drivers’ championship. However, heavy rain in Japan later in the season led to Lauda’s retirement from that race, ensuring that the lost points from the British Grand Prix did not cost Hunt the championship title.

1981

John Watson emerged as the unexpected but widely celebrated winner of the 1981 British Grand Prix. Driving a McLaren, he managed to catch up to the turbocharged Renaults and capitalise on their mechanical issues. René Arnoux led the race, with his turbo engine expected to outpace Watson’s Cosworth-powered McLaren. However, on lap 50, Arnoux’s Renault began to malfunction. Watson swiftly took the lead, while Arnoux’s deteriorating engine prevented him from earning even a single championship point.

1982

Niki Lauda redeemed his poor track record at Brands Hatch by winning the 1982 British Grand Prix after a chaotic start. Pole-sitter Keke Rosberg in the Williams failed to start during the warm-up lap due to fuel vaporisation caused by the hot weather. A watering can of cold water eventually solved the problem, but by then, the rest of the pack had already set off, forcing Rosberg to start from the back. At the race’s start, Riccardo Patrese stalled his Brabham and was subsequently hit by René Arnoux’s Renault.

F1 Driver Birthday’s 18 July