What happened on this day, November 19 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1961
Al Keller succumbed to injuries from a crash at the Arizona State Fairgrounds during a Champ Car race. Known for his appearances in the Indianapolis 500 when it was part of the FIA World Championship (1950-1960), Keller gained greater fame in NASCAR, where he competed from 1949 to 1956. His career highlights included two wins in 1954, one of which made him the first NASCAR driver to win a top-division race in a foreign-built car, triumphing at the Linden Airport Grand National in New Jersey. He was also involved in the 1955 crash that claimed Bill Vukovich’s life.
2004
Dave Richards, head of BAR, departed from the team following Honda’s acquisition of a 45% stake, valued at approximately $150 million. Although Richards had led Jenson Button to third place in the drivers’ championship, tensions over a contract dispute with Button were believed to contribute to Richards’ exit, paving the way for Nick Fry to take over. Richards commented, “I am the one person who came out of that affair undamaged… This was a mutual decision. It is the right time for Honda and the right time for me to move on. I am proud of what my team and I have achieved. We essentially executed a five-year revitalization plan in just three years.”
2006
Future F1 driver Kamui Kobayashi started on pole for the 2006 Macau Grand Prix but tangled with Marko Asmer and Paul di Resta, allowing Mike Conway to take the lead over Kohei Hirate. Kobayashi staged a spirited comeback through the field but ultimately retired after a collision with Romain Grosjean. Richard Antinucci charged up the order with several overtakes to secure second place, narrowly finishing behind Conway. Japanese F3 champion Adrian Sutil claimed third, while Sebastien Buemi took fourth, with Grosjean and Britain’s John Jakes rounding out the top positions.
2007
Toyota confirmed that Timo Glock would join its team for the 2008 season. The reigning GP2 Series champion signed a multi-year contract with the Japanese manufacturer.
2009
Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen announced he would take a one-year break from Formula One, stating uncertainty about a return in 2011—which ultimately did not happen. Replaced by Fernando Alonso at Ferrari, Raikkonen preferred to step away for a year, aiming to secure a seat with a more competitive team. His negotiations with McLaren fell through, as the team chose Jenson Button to partner with Lewis Hamilton instead.
F1 Driver Birthdays 19 November
| Birthday | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 19 November 1925 | Eddie Russo |
| 19 November 1969 | Philippe Adams |
| 19 November 1981 | Andre Lotterer |
F1 Driver Deaths 19 November
| Death | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 19 November 1961 | Al Keller |
| 19 November 1973 | Mike Salay |
| 19 November 2001 | Lucien Vincent |
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