I know some Formula 1 fans aren't as interested in the history of the sport but for me i like knowing the history of the sport i love, drivers, teams, events that changed the sport in to what it is today. Iconic moments, the good and the sad times.
The history of Formula 1 is fascinating in my view, if only F1 history was a subject in school i would have loved it!
Anyway today i was thinking of my first Grand Prix experience then i thought 'Hmm, i wonder how many grand prix's have been held on my birthday' (don't say you've never thought about it, or is it just me?) then i came across the 1992 British Grand Prix - the very day i was born.
July 12th 1992...
Was the 9th round (/16) of the Formula 1 1992 World Championship, held at Silverstone Circuit on July 12th. Nigel Mansell was on pole and went on to win the race and took the fastest lap, 1:18.965. He was joined on the podium by Ricciardo Patrese (2nd) and Martin Brundle (3rd) It was Nigel Mansell’s 28th win, which meant he overtook Jackie Stewart as the most successful British driver, Jackie won 27 Grand Prix’s.
It was Ayrton Senna’s third retirement in a row, this had (at the time) only happened to him once before, two years before in the 1990 season, which he won his second championship, and only happened to him once after the 1992 season, two years later in 1994. [Make of that what you will]
The 1992 British Grand Prix also saw the debut of the next generation of ‘Hill’, Damon Hill followed in his father Graham’s footsteps and made his first start for the Brabham team, finishing 16th.
Mansell’s win at this Grand Prix is still iconic today with footage and photo’s cropping up from after the race when fans swamped the track and blocked Mansell from being able to return from the pits, causing safety concerns but showing die-hard passion.
The 1992 season as a whole was a successful year for British racing, a British Driver Champion and a British Constructor Champions, which was the team Mansell was driving for, Williams. It was the teams fifth constructors championship. The second and third constructors in 1992 were also British based teams, McLaren and Benneton with Brit teams Lotus, Tyrrell and Footwork finishing in fifth, sixth and seventh respectively. The only team to break up the top seven British teams were Italian team Ferrari who finished fifth.
So, Formula 1 and i were obviously fate. I have many happy memories, especially such as celebrating my 18th birthday at the Silverstone GP in 2010 (it was on the 11th but still) my first live Grand Prix experience, 18 years before that Nigel Mansell was on track to becoming World Champion. In 2010 Sebastian Vettel was on more of a rollercoaster to becoming World Champion with a punctured tyre and an angry teammate who’s front wing got pinched and placed on his car. At least we know F1 drama never changes!
Now 20 years from Nigel winning his Championship, who will triumph this year? Will Sebastian Vettel make 3 a luckier number then Ayrton did? Or maybe on the 20th anniversary year of Nige’s title Lewis or Jenson will get their second championship? Alonso and Webber will most certainly be in the title hunt too, who knows maybe others will be as well.
Are you excited? I know i am!
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