What happened on this day, May 30 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
Indianapolis 500 Highlights and Tragic Moments
The Indianapolis 500, first held in 1911, was included in the Formula One World Championship from 1950 to 1960. This event has seen numerous highlights and tragic incidents. Here are a few notable ones:
1911
The inaugural Indianapolis 500 was held on a Tuesday, May 30, 1911, and drew an international crowd. Forty-six cars entered, with 40 qualifying by recording a 75 mph lap. Ray Harroun won the race using a rear-view mirror instead of a riding mechanic. However, his victory was marred by controversy as Ralph Mulford, who finished second, protested that Harroun had completed one lap too few. The protest was rejected, but the debate lingered for years. Harroun retired after winning the $10,000 prize, never to race again. Unfortunately, the event also saw its first fatality when mechanic Sam Dickson died after Arthur Greiner’s car hit a wall.
1939
Defending champion Floyd Roberts died from head injuries after his car was clipped and crashed into a tree.
1951
The 1951 Indianapolis 500 was the second round of the eight-race World Championship season. However, as it took place just three days after the Swiss Grand Prix, it failed to attract any regular Grand Prix competitors, participation was logistically impractical.
Lee Wallard emerged as the race winner, earning 9 points towards the World Championship—8 for victory and 1 for setting the fastest lap. Despite not competing in any other World Championship rounds that season, he finished seventh in the final standings.
Mike Nazaruk secured second place, while third was shared between Jack McGrath, who led the first 100 laps, and Manny Ayulo, who took over for the second half of the race.
1952
The 1952 Indianapolis 500 was the second round of the eight-race 1952 World Championship season. Unlike previous years, the race featured a notable entry from a European-based driver competing for the title—Alberto Ascari, driving for Ferrari. He became the first serious World Championship contender to attempt the Indy 500, opting to skip the Swiss Grand Prix to participate. However, his race ended early, and he finished 31st without scoring any points.
Despite this setback, Ascari went on to dominate the remainder of the season, winning all seven of the remaining races and securing the 1952 World Championship.
Troy Ruttman claimed victory at Indianapolis, earning 8 points toward the championship, which placed him seventh in the final standings. Jim Rathmann finished second, while Sam Hanks secured third place.
1953
The 1953 Indianapolis 500 was the second round of the nine-race 1953 World Championship season. However, as in previous years, the event failed to attract any regular Grand Prix competitors.
Bill Vukovich dominated the race, securing victory and earning 9 points toward the World Championship—8 for the win and 1 for setting the fastest lap. Despite not participating in any other World Championship rounds, his victory was enough to place him seventh in the final season standings.
Art Cross finished second, while third place was shared between Sam Hanks and Duane Carter, with Carter taking over driving duties for the final 48 laps of the race.
Carl Scarborough, 39, collapsed from heat exhaustion after the Indy 500, highlighting the extreme conditions drivers face.
1955
Bill Vukovich, a two-time Indy 500 winner, died at the 1955 Indianapolis 500 when his car became airborne and crashed after being hit. His death marked the first fatality in a FIA World Championship event. Bob Sweikert won the race ahead of Tony Bettenhausen and Paul Russo in second as a shared drive, with Jimmy Davies taking third place.
1958
A 15-car pile-up on the opening lap of the Indy 500 resulted in Pat O’Connor’s death. His car flew 50 feet through the air and burst into flames. Although he died from a broken neck, the incident led to safety changes at the track. Ed Elisian, who tried to save Vukovich three years earlier, was blamed for the crash and ostracised. He died in a crash the following year.
1960
The final year the Indy 500 counted towards the F1 championship featured an all-American entry, highlighting the initiative’s failure to attract European drivers. Held the day after the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix, the race saw Jim Rathmann and Rodger Ward locked in a fierce battle, with Rathmann winning due to better tyre management. This race had the most recorded lead changes in Indy 500 history at the time, with 29. The record as of 30th May 2023 is 68 in 2013.
1964
Eddie Sachs and rookie Dave MacDonald died in a seven-car crash on the second lap of the Indy 500. Sachs’ flame-proof suit could not save him from fatal injuries, and MacDonald succumbed to inhaling burning fuel. This incident prompted the switch from petrol to methanol fuel.
1965
Graham Hill, at 36, won his third Monaco Grand Prix on May 30, 1965, closely followed by defending champion John Surtees, whose Ferrari ran out of fuel at the end. Paul Hawkins made headlines by driving into the harbour, becoming only the second person to do so. He safely swam to shore after his Lotus crashed through the barriers.
1976
Niki Lauda dominated the 1976 Monaco Grand Prix in his Ferrari, extending his lead in the 1976 drivers’ championship with his fourth win in six races. The race began with yellow flags to prevent crashes at the opening corner, but Carlos Reutemann and Alan Jones collided and retired.
1999
Mika Häkkinen won at the 1999 Spanish Grand Prix, his second in a row, helping him close the gap on Michael Schumacher for the drivers’ title. McLaren secured a 1-2 finish despite David Coulthard overshooting his pit crew. Jacques Villeneuve‘s day ended in frustration after overtaking the Ferraris at the start, only to retire due to a pit stop mishap and gearbox failure.
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