What Happened On This Day October 29 In F1 History?

What happened on this day, October 29 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.

1951

Tiff Needell, born on this day in Havant, had a brief and unremarkable F1 stint with Ensign in 1980, retiring in his debut race and failing to qualify in his second. However, his legacy took shape as a BBC Top Gear presenter from 1987 until the show’s end in 2001, preceding the Jeremy Clarkson era. Needell later joined Fifth Gear on Channel 5.

1956

Louis Rosier, a garage owner and former member of the French Resistance, only turned to motor racing in his 40s after the war. His F1 career highlights included two third-place finishes in 1950, but a spin in his Ferrari at Le Mans, where he had won the iconic 24-Hour race six years earlier, proved fatal. Rosier sustained severe internal injuries when his car overturned, and he passed away three weeks later on this day. Posthumously, he was awarded the ‘Ordre de la Nation,’ France’s highest civilian honor, recognizing his contributions both on and off the track.

1995

Michael Schumacher matched Nigel Mansell‘s record of nine wins in a season at the 1995 Japanese Grand Prix, securing the 1995 Constructors’ Championship for Benetton and ending Williams‘ three-year reign. It was a disastrous day for Williams as both drivers, David Coulthard and Damon Hill, spun out. Hill’s race went from bad to worse when he slid into the gravel while attempting to return to the pits to serve a stop-go penalty for speeding. Just recently, Hill had signed a £5 million contract with Williams for 1996, but rumours were already surfacing that Frank Williams was reconsidering. Reflecting on his season, Hill admitted, “I’ve never felt this bad. I’ve made mistakes this season, I can’t deny that. Just when you think it can’t get worse, it does.” The McLaren of Mika Hakkinen came home in second, with Schumacher’s teammate, Johnny Herbert, finishing in third.

2017

At the 2017 Mexican Grand Prix, Max Verstappen took the win for Red Bull Racing, but the day belonged to Lewis Hamilton, who secured his fourth World Championship title with two races to spare. Hamilton entered the race with a comfortable 66-point lead over Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel, needing only a fifth-place finish to clinch the championship. Vettel, meanwhile, faced the uphill task of outscoring Hamilton by 17 points to keep his title hopes alive.

Despite Vettel’s determined drive to finish fourth, it wasn’t enough; Hamilton crossed the line in ninth, a result that still sealed the championship. Hamilton’s mere 2 points were enough for his fourth title, underscoring a season he had long dominated in the face of Vettel’s early challenge.

2023

At the 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix—the third running under this name, having previously been titled the Mexican Grand Prix—Max Verstappen claimed a record-breaking sixteenth victory in an F1 season. Charles Leclerc, who had started from pole for Ferrari, finished in third, while the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton took second place. Daniel Ricciardo delivered a standout performance for AlphaTauri, qualifying in fourth and finishing seventh, marking the team’s best results of the season in both sessions. The race further solidified Verstappen’s dominance in 2023, a season that would see him win a record 19 races.

F1 Driver Birthdays 29 October

F1 Driver Deaths 29 October

F1 Champion 29 October