What Happened On This Day October 31 In F1 History?

From the birth of F1 driver Derek Bell in 1941 to both Mika Hakkinen winning the Drivers' Championship with McLaren and Ferrari winning the Constructors' in 1999.

Lee Parker

By Lee Parker
Updated on October 28, 2024

Mika Hakkinen 1999 Japanese Grand Prix
Mika Hakkinen wins the 1999 Japanese Grand Prix with McLaren to clinch the 1999 Drivers's Championship // Image: Uncredited

What happened on this day, October 31 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.

1941

Born in Pinner, England, Derek Bell is celebrated for his five Le Mans 24-Hour race victories. However, his brief stint in Formula 1, beginning with Ferrari in 1968, is often overlooked. Bell caught the attention of Enzo Ferrari, who signed him for a few races; though Ferrari opted not to re-sign him in 1969, he drifted between various teams in short stints before finding lasting success in sports cars.

1988

Born in Aigle, Switzerland, Sebastien Buemi entered Formula 1 through Red Bull’s young driver program. When Sebastian Vettel moved to Red Bull, Buemi replaced him at Toro Rosso. Buemi impressed by outqualifying his teammate, Sebastien Bourdais, in his first Grand Prix, the 2009 Australian Grand Prix, and finishing seventh. After a solid start, Buemi showed promise and finished the season in 16th. After three seasons, Toro Rosso dropped Buemi at the end of 2011, when he moved into WEC and Formula E. However, he revived a role with Red Bull Racing as their test and reserve driver in 2012.

1999

Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine‘s best chance at a world championship concluded at Suzuka, where the McLaren of Mika Hakkinen clinched the 1999 Japanese Grand Prix win, becoming only the seventh driver to successfully defend his title. For Irvine, who would leave Ferrari for Jaguar over the winter, the narrow two-point loss left little consolation, even with a third-place finish and Ferrari’s 1999 Constructors’ Championship win. “We won one championship, but not the one I wanted,” he reflected. “Winter’s going to be tough, thinking back on races where I missed out by a point here or there, or when I let Mika pass with five laps left at the Nurburgring. Had it been a 15-race season, I’d be champion; instead, I’m second.” Irvine’s hopes faded after a difficult qualifying session placed him fifth on the grid, and Hakkinen’s teammate David Coulthard further stifled his efforts by holding back the field. “I didn’t feel great about holding Eddie up to help Mika,” Coulthard admitted, “but Ferrari confirmed it wasn’t against the rules. It’s just not something I enjoyed, especially since I wouldn’t have begrudged Eddie the championship. I didn’t break any rules, but it didn’t feel right backing into a fellow Brit.” Irvine’s teammate, Michael Schumacher, finished second.

F1 Driver Birthdays 31 October

BirthdayF1 Driver
31 October 1937Manfred Mohr
31 October 1941Derek Bell
31 October 1988Sebastien Buemi

F1 Driver Deaths 31 October

DeathF1 Driver
31 October 2011Roberto Lippi
31 October 2012John Fitch

F1 Champion 31 October

DateTeam/Driver
31 October 1999Mika Hakkinen
31 October 1999Ferrari

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About The Author

Senior Editor

Lee Parker
Lee Parker

Lee is our staff writer specialising in anything technical within Formula 1 from aerodynamics to engines. Lee writes most of our F1 guides for beginners and experienced fans having followed the sports since 1991, researching and understanding how teams build the ultimate machines. Like everyone else on the team he listens to podcasts about F1 and enjoys reading biographies of former drivers.

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