What happened on this day, November 2 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1895
On this day, Autocar, the world’s longest-running car magazine, made its debut in England, marking the beginning of a publication that would chronicle the evolution of automotive technology, racing, and culture. Established as The Autocar, the magazine aimed to cover every aspect of the burgeoning motor industry, offering readers insights into new car models, technological advancements, road tests, and automotive events.
Throughout its history, Autocar played a significant role in covering Formula 1, which emerged in the early 1950s as the pinnacle of single-seater racing. From the days of legendary drivers like Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss to the modern era of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, Autocar has been a reliable source for analyses, race coverage, and driver profiles while documenting the rise of F1 historic teams like Ferrari, McLaren, and Williams.
1946
Alan Jones, born on this day in Melbourne, became one of Australia’s toughest racing drivers and won the 1980 Drivers’ Championship with Williams, the teams first Constructor’s Championship. Known for his no-nonsense attitude, Jones began his career with sheer determination, breaking into Formula 1 with Graham Hill’s new team. In 1978, he joined Williams, where he finished third in 1979 and dominated the 1980 season with ten podiums, including five wins. However, his passion waned, leading to a gradual retirement. A man’s man, as team owner Frank Williams described, Jones had little patience for weakness or self-pity. Williams fondly recalled Jones’ indomitable character, saying, “He didn’t need babysitting or hand-holding. He was strong-minded and self-assured.”
1974
Born on this day, Stephane Sarrazin made a single Formula One appearance in the 1999 Brazilian Grand Prix, driving as a late substitute for Minardi. He spun out after 31 laps but later found success in sports car racing and rallying. Sarrazin twice finished second in the Le Mans 24 Hours and won the Le Mans Series in 2007.
2008
The 2008 Formula 1 season climaxed with a dramatic 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix. McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton captured the World Championship on the final lap, securing the fifth place he needed. With just two laps to go, Sebastian Vettel overtook Hamilton, dropping him to sixth, seemingly dashing his title hopes. Ferrari’s, Felipe Massa, leading the race, crossed the finish line first and was briefly celebrated by his Ferrari team as the new champion. Yet, within moments, the celebrations stopped—Timo Glock, struggling in his Toyota on dry-weather tyres in the rain, lost 18 seconds on the final lap. Just before the finish, Hamilton and Vettel both passed him, handing Hamilton the points he needed to clinch the title, leaving a stunned Massa just short of victory.
“My heart was in my mouth,” Hamilton later reflected. “I was almost exploding. I don’t know how I kept my cool. It was one of the toughest races of my life.” Massa was visibly devastated, confessing, “I don’t cry often, but today it was hard not to.”
Despite not winning the Drivers’, Massa’s efforts all season helped Ferrari to secure the 2008 Constructors’ Championship.
Across the Atlantic, Hamilton’s championship win brought good fortune to a gambler who had placed a £100 bet on Hamilton winning the world title before age 25 back when Hamilton was just 13. This risky prediction netted the gambler a remarkable £125,000, following an earlier £40,000 win on a similar bet that Hamilton would win a Grand Prix before turning 23.
2014
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton clinched his tenth victory of the season at the 2014 United States Grand Prix, starting from second position and outpacing his teammate Nico Rosberg, who finished in second place. Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo rounded out the podium, taking third. The win took Hamilton to 32nd career wins and moving him closer to securing his second World Championship, hist first with the Mercedes team.
However, the race weekend was marked by notable absences, as financial struggles forced the Caterham and Marussia teams into administration just days before the event. They were granted special permission to skip the race, reducing the grid to just nine teams—the smallest lineup seen in Formula 1 since the 2005 Monaco Grand Prix.
The weekend also saw the arrival of a young talent who would later make his mark on the sport. Max Verstappen, then only 17, took the wheel for Toro Rosso in the first free practice session, replacing Jean-Eric Vergne for the second time that season.
F1 Driver Birthdays 2 November
| Birthday | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 2 November 1946 | Alan Jones |
| 2 November 1974 | Stephane Sarrazin |
F1 Driver Deaths 2 November
| Death | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 2 November 2007 | Don Freeland |
F1 Champion 2 November
| Date | Team/Driver |
|---|---|
| 2 November 2008 | Lewis Hamilton |
| 2 November 2008 | Ferrari |
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