What happened on this day, June 7 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1953
Alberto Ascari clinched victory at the 1953 Dutch Grand Prix from pole position. Despite the circuit being resurfaced and experiencing significant degradation, anticipation was high due to the close practice times of the leading six drivers. However, the race unfolded differently than anticipated. Ascari, starting from pole, seized the lead and maintained it throughout, securing a commanding win. Luigi Villoresi briefly held second place early in the race but later exchanged positions with Farina multiple times before retiring three-quarters of the way through due to a throttle issue. Jose Froilan Gonzalez showed promise but was forced to retire due to suspension troubles, only to take over Bonetto’s car and stage a remarkable comeback to secure third place ahead of Mike Hawthorn.
1970
Pedro Rodriguez triumphed at the 1970 Belgian Grand Prix, narrowing the gap between Jack Brabham and Jackie Stewart in the drivers’ championship standings. The absence of the Belgian GP in 1969 due to safety concerns at Spa, led to significant improvements in the circuit’s safety measures. However, the tragic death of Bruce McLaren during a McLaren CanAm car test at Goodwood just days before the race cast a shadow over the event. Jackie Stewart briefly relinquished his pole position lead to Chris Amon at the start, with the two exchanging positions. Meanwhile, Rodriguez surged ahead of Jochen Rindt to claim third place before passing Stewart on the fourth lap and Amon on the fifth, securing a lead he maintained till the finish. Rodriguez crossed the finish line ahead of Amon and Jean-Pierre Beltoise following retirements by Rindt and Stewart.
1998
The 1998 Canadian Grand Prix witnessed a dramatic first-corner melee when Alexander Wurz, driving his Benetton, attempted a daring move on Jean Alesi in the Sauber. Wurz’s manoeuvre resulted in a collision with Alesi, sending the Austrian’s car tumbling into a spectacular barrel roll across the track and onto the gravel trap. Not only did Wurz collect Alesi, but also Johnny Herbert in the other Sauber and Jarno Trulli in his Prost. The race was promptly red-flagged, and Wurz rejoined the restarted grid in the spare Benetton. However, the drama didn’t end there; upon the restart, another collision occurred at the first corner, involving two of the drivers from the initial incident. Ralf Schumacher spun his Jordan after turn one, causing chaos for Trulli and Alesi. Their cars became entangled, with Trulli’s rear wheels perilously perched atop Alesi’s car, mere inches from his head.
2009
Jenson Button emerged victorious at the 2009 Turkish Grand Prix, extending his championship lead over teammate Rubens Barrichello to 26 points.
Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull Racing completed the podium. Vettel started the race on pole, but a mistake on the first lap scuppered his chances of the win, which went to the Brawn GP driver Button.
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