What Happened On This Day October 28 In F1 History?

What happened on this day, October 28 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.

1876

Henri Rougier, born in Marseilles on this day, was a true pioneer in motorsport. Winner of the first Monte Carlo Rally in 1909, Rougier participated in early races from the 1900s through the 1920s. He was also a small-scale car manufacturer and a record-setting aviator.

1930

Whether admired or criticised, Bernie Ecclestone is undeniably one of the most influential figures in motorsport. Born on this day in Suffolk, Ecclestone’s journey began selling second-hand bicycles before a brief stint as a driver. As his business grew, he pivoted to ownership and management in Formula 1. Twice, he left F1 after the tragic deaths of his drivers, Stuart Lewis-Evans, in 1958 and Jochen Rindt in 1970, but returned in 1972 to purchase Brabham, elevating the team to prominence. Ecclestone co-founded the Formula One Constructors’ Association, transforming the sport alongside Max Mosley by organising its finances and management, evolving it from a loose race series into a multi-million-dollar enterprise.

1951

Juan Manuel Fangio clinched his first of five world championships with a controlled victory at the 1951 Spanish Grand Prix. His team, Alfa Romeo, employed clever tactics, installing dummy fuel tanks to mislead Ferrari into altering their pit-stop strategy. While Fangio’s win was celebrated, his joy was short-lived—later that evening, he learned that Alfa Romeo faced financial troubles and was withdrawing from racing, forcing Fangio to end his partnership with the team. Argentinan Jose Froilan Gonzalez took second for Ferrari in the race, with Nino Farina, Fangio’s teammate, completing the podium in third place.

1981

Nearly three and a half years after the 1978 Italian Grand Prix, Riccardo Patrese was acquitted by a Milan court of manslaughter charges in the death of Ronnie Peterson. Patrese had been accused of reckless driving, sparking a chain reaction that led to Peterson’s fatal accident. F1’s first legal trial saw James Hunt testify against Patrese, asserting that his move to the left triggered the collision. The race starter, also charged, was cleared of allegations of beginning the race with some backmarkers still in motion.

2012

At the 2012 Indian Grand Prix, Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel dominated from pole position, claiming victory for the second year in a row. Although he led every lap, McLaren driver Jenson Button‘s late fastest lap prevented Vettel from achieving a Grand Chelem. The race concluded with Indian Olympic bronze medalist shooter Gagan Narang waving the chequered flag. Vettel, was followed by Spain’s Fernando Alonso for Ferrari in second, and Australia’s Mark Webber, in the sister Red Bull, securing third.

2018

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton entered the 2018 Mexican Grand Prix with a solid 70-point lead over Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in the World Drivers’ Championship, with Vettel’s teammate Kimi Raikkonen 55 points further back in third. Starting on the front row alongside teammate Daniel Riccardo, Max Verstappen stormed ahead on lap 1 to take the lead going on to claim victory with the Red Bull team, his second win of the season. Vettel and Ferrari teammate Raikkonen finished second and third. Hamilton finished fourth, with enough points to secure his fifth Drivers’ World Championship title.

F1 Driver Birthdays 28 October

F1 Driver Deaths 28 October

F1 Champion 28 October