What happened on this day, September 8 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1957
Stirling Moss, driving for Vanwall, won the 1957 Italian Grand Prix after starting from pole, with Juan Manuel Fangio in a Maserati finishing in second place. The reigning world champion put in a strong performance but was unable to catch Moss for the lead. Wolfgang von Trips driving for Ferrari secured third place.
1963
Jim Clark won the 1963 Italian Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Richie Ginther and Bruce McLaren. However, the main talking point of the weekend was a serious accident during qualifying, in which Chris Amon, driving a Reg Parnell Lola, suffered three broken ribs after being left hanging out of his cockpit. Clark’s victory extended his championship lead to 27 points over Ginther, ultimately claiming the 1963 Drivers’ Championship. He became the first driver to win the World Drivers’ Championship with 3 left to go. Lotus also won the 1963 Constructors’ Championship.
1968
Graham Hill’s hopes for a fairytale ending to his 100th Grand Prix at Monza were dashed as Denny Hulme took victory, followed by Johnny Servoz-Gavin and Jacky Ickx. Hill, who had qualified fifth, retired after just ten laps due to a loose wheel nut. John Surtees secured Honda‘s first pole position and battled early on with Bruce McLaren and Jackie Stewart, but all three eventually retired, leaving Hulme to take the checkered flag. This result left the top four drivers in the championship standings separated by just six points.
1974
Ronnie Peterson won the 1974 Italian Grand Prix, with Emerson Fittipaldi in second and Jody Scheckter in third, setting up a tight championship battle. As the teams left Monza, Clay Regazzoni led with 46 points, Scheckter was close behind with 45, and Fittipaldi had 43 points. Niki Lauda remained in contention as well, with 38 points.
1984
Vitaly Petrov, Russia’s first Formula One driver, was born on this day, 8 September 1984. Petrov entered F1 with substantial financial support to secure his drive with Renault. Before that, he demonstrated his racing skills by finishing second in the 2009 GP2 series, though he was a significant 25 points behind eventual 2010 Williams driver Nico Hulkenberg in the final standings.
1985
Alain Prost won the 1985 Italian Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna. The race took place just a week after the tragic death of future star Stefan Bellof in a world sportscar race at Spa. Keke Rosberg and Nigel Mansell quickly passed pole-sitter Senna, but after both Williams drivers retired, Prost took the lead to secure victory over the two Brazilian drivers.
1991
The 1991 Italian Grand Prix was notable more for the action off the track, as the Benetton team announced that Michael Schumacher would replace Roberto Moreno, catching Schumacher’s current team, Jordan, off guard. On the track, the race became a typical battle of the season between McLaren pole-sitter Ayrton Senna and the Williams of Nigel Mansell. Mansell eventually passed Senna on lap 34 to take the win, with Alain Prost finishing third for Ferrari.
1996
Michael Schumacher thrilled the Tifosi by winning the 1996 Italian Grand Prix, ending Ferrari‘s seven-year drought on home soil. Despite a dominant season for Williams, Damon Hill, who could have secured the drivers’ title at the race, took pole position ahead of his teammate Jacques Villeneuve, with Schumacher starting third. Hill led after the opening lap, having re-passed a fast-starting Jean Alesi, and it seemed like another Williams victory was on the cards. However, on lap six, Hill clipped the tyre barriers while exiting the chicane and spun into retirement, allowing Schumacher to capitalise and take the win.
2013
Red Bull Racing driver Sebastian Vettel won the 2013 Italian Grand Prix from pole position, with Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso claiming second place. Starting from fifth on the grid, Alonso moved up through the field and delivered a strong performance in front of Ferrari’s home crowd at Monza. Mark Webber, Vettel’s teammate, finished third. This was his final Italian Grand Prix as he retired from Formula One at the end of the season. Daniel Ricciardo was announced as his replacement for the 2014 F1 season.
2019
Starting from pole position, Charles Leclerc won the 2019 Italian Grand Prix, securing Ferrari’s first win at Monza since Fernando Alonso won in 2010, thrilling the home crowd. Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas finished in second place while his teammate Lewis Hamilton finished third.
F1 Driver Birthdays 8 September
| Birthday | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 8 September 1907 | Casimiro de Oliveira |
| 8 September 1927 | Chuck Rodee |
| 8 September 1956 | Stefan Johansson |
| 8 September 1960 | Aguri Suzuki |
| 8 September 1984 | Vitaly Petrov |
F1 Driver Deaths 8 September
| Death | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 8 September 1966 | John Taylor |
| 8 September 1984 | Johnnie Parsons |
F1 Champion 8 September
| Date | Driver/Team |
|---|---|
| 8 September 1963 | Jim Clark |
| 8 September 1963 | Team Lotus |
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