What Happened On This Day March 12 In F1 History?

What happened on this day, March 12 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.

1993

Alain Prost demonstrated he hadn’t lost his edge after a year off by clocking the fastest lap in Friday’s Qualifying for the 1993 South African Grand Prix, the start of 16 races that season. Driving a Williams-Renault FW15C, Prost outpaced his past rival Ayrton Senna in the McLaren MP4/8, reigniting excitement for fans who witnessed Nigel Mansell march to the 1992 Drivers’ title. However, tensions flared as Senna accused Prost of blocking his move to drive for the Williams team in ’93, labelling Prost’s behaviour as cowardly and alleging that Prost had a significant advantage for the 1993 season. “The way he is behaving is like a coward,” Senna said. “He has everything laid out for him in 1993. It’s like running a 100-metre race with him in running shoes and everybody in lead boots.” Prost would go on to win the 1993 Drivers’ Championship, his fourth title, with Senna second.

1998

Ferrari revealed it had made a substantial offer to keep Michael Schumacher, proposing £52 million to retain him for his career and beyond as a brand ambassador. This was in response to rumours of his potential move to McLaren, despite already earning £17.5 million annually. Schumacher stayed with Ferrari, won five more championships, and retired in 2006, only to return unexpectedly in 2010 with Mercedes.

2000

Michael Schumacher won the season’s first race, the 2000 Australian Grand Prix, driving for Ferrari, with teammate Rubens Barrichello finishing second. Schumacher praised the car’s speed and its championship potential. The win began his streak of five consecutive titles. Ralf Schumacher, his brother, secured third place for BMW Williams while celebrating his 50th Grand Prix. The race also saw the debut of Jenson Button for Williams, Nick Heidfeld for Prost, and Gaston Mazzacane for Minardi. While Button and Mazzacane didn’t finish, Heidfeld crossed the line ninth, two laps down. This race was also the debut for Jaguar, previously known as the Stewart Grand Prix team.

2000 Australian Grand Prix Race Results

2006

The season’s first race, the 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix, saw the debut of new qualifying rules, dividing the one-hour session into three knockout stages. Michael Schumacher clinched pole but it was the 2005 World Champion, Fernando Alonso and the Renault team who claimed the win. Ferrari driver and polesitter Schumacher began his final season in Formula One (before his return with Mercedes in 2010) in second position. Kimi Raikkonen finished in third for McLaren, despite starting the race at the back of the gird.

Future world champion Nico Rosberg, son of World Champion Keke Rosberg, made his F1 debut with Williams while setting the race’s fastest lap and, at 20 years and 258 days old, became the youngest driver to achieve this—a record he held until Max Verstappen broke it at age 19 during the 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix. The race also introduced the BMW Sauber, Toro Rosso, Midland F1, and Super Aguri teams to Formula 1, alongside new drivers Scott Speed and Yuji Ide.

2006 Bahrain Grand Prix Race Results

F1 Driver Birthdays 12 March

F1 Driver Deaths 12 March