What happened on this day, June 22 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1952
The 1952 Belgian Grand Prix was the third round of the eight-race World Championship, with all races that season being run under Formula Two regulations instead of the usual Formula One rules.
Alberto Ascari secured victory for Ferrari, also setting the fastest lap of the race. His win, combined with teammate Piero Taruffi’s retirement, resulted in both drivers sharing the lead of the championship with nine points each. Meanwhile, in the Indianapolis 500, the previous round winner, Troy Ruttman, sat in third place in the standings, while Nino Farina’s second-place finish at Spa moved him up to fourth, just three points behind the joint championship leaders. Robert Manzon finished third for Gordini.
1975
When Lord Hesketh decided to establish his own F1 team in 1973, Hesketh Racing, he immediately thought of James Hunt as the ideal driver. With Hunt’s inclusion, the team rapidly gained credibility within Formula 1, achieving their first win at the 1975 Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on June 22. This victory was both Hunt’s and Hesketh’s first in the sport. Though Hunt would later win a world championship, this remained Hesketh’s sole triumph in Formula 1.
2005
BMW declared its intention to end its engine partnership with Williams and chose instead to acquire the Sauber Formula 1 team. This newly formed BMW team celebrated its inaugural victory in June at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix.
2008
Felipe Massa triumphed for Ferrari at the 2008 French Grand Prix. Kimi Raikkonen in the sister Ferrari was poised for victory, but a malfunctioning exhaust forced him to slow down, and he ultimately finished second. Jarno Trulli, driving for Toyota, completed the podium in third.
The 2008 French Grand Prix, held as the eighth race of the season, also marked the final race at this venue for ten years, with its return in 2018 at Circuit Paul Ricard.
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