What Happened On This Day November 6 In F1 History?

What happened on this day, November 6 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.

1912

Air Commodore Whitney Willard Straight, born in New York and raised in England, became a celebrated racer in Europe during the 1930s. He even founded his own team and, as an owner-driver, claimed victory at the 1934 South African Grand Prix. During World War II, he served with distinction as a pilot and later went on to hold key leadership roles, including as deputy chairman of BOAC and then at Rolls Royce.

1931

Born in Kidderminster on this day, Peter Collins became a prominent figure in Formula One and sports car racing throughout the 1950s. His move to Ferrari in 1956 was pivotal, leading to Grand Prix wins in Belgium and France. He was well-positioned to claim the 1956 Drivers’ Championship but, in an incredible act of sportsmanship, handed his car over to teammate Juan Manuel Fangio during the 1956 Italian Grand Prix—only for it to suffer mechanical failure. Collins ultimately finished the season in third place, but the selfless gesture earned him great admiration in Italy. Profoundly moved by Collins’ actions, Enzo Ferrari developed a close, almost father-son bond with him. In 1957, Collins was joined at Ferrari by Mike Hawthorn, with whom he formed a close friendship both on and off the track. However, the season proved challenging as the car struggled with competitiveness, and their best results were two third-place finishes. Things turned around in 1958 with Ferrari’s introduction of the Dino 246, enabling Collins to secure his third and final Grand Prix victory at Silverstone, the 1958 British Grand Prix. Unfortunately, just two weeks later, Collins tragically lost his life at the 1958 German Grand Prix, where, while chasing leader Tony Brooks, he lost control and was thrown from the car, sustaining fatal injuries after striking a tree.

1955

Known as the “King of the Hot Rods,” Jack McGrath tragically lost his life on the final race day of the season when his car’s axle failed, causing a somersault crash. McGrath had already announced it would be his last dirt-track race. He competed in eight Indianapolis 500s, six of which were part of the FIA F1 World Drivers’ Championship, finishing third twice.

1994

Williams driver Damon Hill took the win in a rain-drenched 1994 Japanese Grand Prix and breathed life into his struggling, though ultimately unsuccessful, championship pursuit. The two-part race, interrupted by heavy rain, saw Hill narrowly edge out the Benetton of Michael Schumacher by three seconds. The win meant that Hill needed to finish ahead of Schumacher at the season’s final race in Adelaide to claim the title. “I was on the radio every lap,” Hill recalled, “hearing updates on Michael’s progress, which kept me pushing hard. I told the team there was no point urging me to go faster; I was already at the limit.” In treacherous conditions, McLaren driver Martin Brundle had a close call as he nearly collided with a caterpillar tractor, clearing Gianni Morbidelli’s stranded Footwork car. “I thought it was over,” Brundle admitted. “I hit standing water, shut my eyes, and braced for impact.” Jean Alesi finished in third for Ferrari.

Hill’s victory brought him within just one point of Schumacher in the 1994 Drivers’ Championship with only one race left. This race also marked Erik Comas’s final Grand Prix. It was also the last time in Formula 1 history that a race was split into two parts due to a stoppage, with the final standings determined by aggregate time.

1994 Japanese Grand Prix Race Results

F1 Driver Birthdays 6 November

F1 Driver Deaths 6 November