What happened on this day, July 31 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1977
One year after his horrific accident at the Nurburgring, Niki Lauda made a triumphant return by winning the 1977 German Grand Prix. He outpaced Jody Scheckter and Hans-Joachim Stuck, who achieved his first podium finish. Following Lauda’s near-fatal crash in 1976, Formula One moved the German Grand Prix to Hockenheim, a track infamous for Jim Clark‘s fatal crash in an F2 race in 1968. Lauda took the lead from pole-sitter Scheckter on lap 13 and never looked back, securing a popular victory.
1994
During the 1994 German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, a frightening moment happened for Jos Verstappen and Formula One fans. As the Benetton driver made a routine pit stop, fuel sprayed onto the car and ignited when the crew struggled to attach the refuelling rig. In an instant, the car was engulfed in flames, but marshals quickly extinguished the blaze. Fortunately, Verstappen and the pit crew only suffered minor burns. Gerhard Berger went on to win the race for Ferrari.
2005
Kimi Raikkonen won the 2005 Hungarian Grand Prix, finishing ahead of brothers Michael and Ralf Schumacher. Despite Fernando Alonso only managing to finish a distant 11th after damaging his front wing during an attempted pass on Ralf into the first corner, the Spaniard maintained a 26-point lead over Raikkonen in the championship after the race.
2007
Three-time world champion Nelson Piquet was ordered to attend a driving awareness school after losing his license due to repeated speeding and parking offences. His wife, Viviane, was also ordered to attend.
F1 Driver Birthday’s 31 July
| Birth Date | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 31 July 1978 | Justin Wilson |
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