On this day in 1990, Nigel Mansell — Il Leone — roared to his final victory for Ferrari at the Portuguese Grand Prix, defying Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in the heat of their title fight. We also celebrate the birthday of Robert Doornbos, the Dutch racer who took an unconventional path into motorsport and made his mark beyond Formula One. And we journey back to the 1973 Canadian Grand Prix, remembered for torrential weather, the first-ever Safety Car, and a result so confused that even Colin Chapman celebrated the wrong winner.

From a lion’s roar in Estoril, to the persistence of an underdog, to the chaos of Mosport, this is Chequered Past.

Cover Image: 90_POR10 by United Autosports, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link

Music by #Mubert Music Rendering

On this day in Formula 1 history, championships were shaped, rivalries defined, and finales set up in unforgettable fashion.

We begin at Mosport in 1974, where Emerson Fittipaldi pounced on Niki Lauda’s misfortune to draw level with Clay Regazzoni in one of the closest title battles of the decade. Then it’s back to Canada 1968, where McLaren scored their first-ever 1–2 after Chris Amon’s luckless Ferrari faltered. From there, we head to Estoril 1991, where Nigel Mansell’s infamous pit-lane disaster handed Ayrton Senna a crucial cushion. Finally, we relive Estoril 1996, as Jacques Villeneuve stunned Michael Schumacher with one of the bravest overtakes in Formula 1 history to keep his rookie title challenge alive.

These were the clashes that didn’t just win races — they crafted the contests that defined championships.

Cover Image: By Gerald Swan - 1974 F1 Emerson Fittipaldi British Grand Prix McLaren M23.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Music by #Mubert Music Rendering

On this day in Formula One history, Nigel Mansell delivered one of his finest performances at the 1986 Portuguese Grand Prix. From the moment the lights went out, Mansell controlled the race at Estoril, beating his championship rivals and securing the Constructors’ title for Williams.

We also revisit 1997, when Formula One returned to Austria after a decade away and Jacques Villeneuve reignited his title fight with Michael Schumacher at the new A1-Ring. Finally, we step back to 1947, as Louis Chiron claimed an emotional post-war victory at the French Grand Prix, symbolising the rebirth of Grand Prix racing.

From Estoril’s masterclass to Austria’s return and France’s revival, this episode captures the moments of dominance, resilience, and renewal that defined September 21st.

Cover Photo: By Mauritz Antin, CC BY 4.0, Link

Music by #Mubert Music Rendering

On September 19, 1971, Formula One saw history at Mosport Park when the Canadian Grand Prix became the first World Championship race to be stopped with the red flag. Jackie Stewart had already secured his second world title, but torrential rain and fog turned the race into chaos, cutting it short after 64 laps. Stewart took the win, Ronnie Peterson claimed second, and American star Mark Donohue earned his first F1 podium on his debut.

We also celebrate the birthday of Brazilian racer Cristiano da Matta, whose career spanned from CART glory to a brief spell in Formula One, and revisit the 1954 Berlin Grand Prix at AVUS, where Karl Kling’s victory for Mercedes in front of a vast home crowd symbolised Germany’s racing revival.

Cover Image: By Federico Neroni under CC BY 4.0 Link

Music by #Mubert Music Rendering

On this day in Formula One history, Canada twice played host to unforgettable showdowns.

In 1969 at Mosport, Jackie Stewart and Jacky Ickx duelled ferociously until contact ended Stewart’s race, handing victory to the young Belgian.

A year later at Mont-Tremblant, Stewart looked set to dominate Tyrrell’s debut — only for mechanical failure to open the door for Ickx to claim another famous win, leading Ferrari to a crushing 1–2.

We also celebrate the birthday of Juan Pablo Montoya, one of the most fearless racers of his generation, and revisit the 2015 Singapore Grand Prix, where Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari broke Mercedes’ seemingly unshakable grip under the floodlights.

Music by #Mubert Music Rendering

On this day in 2016, Nico Rosberg claimed a tense and vital victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, fending off Daniel Ricciardo’s late charge to take the win by less than half a second. It was his 200th start, and the result proved decisive in his march toward the world championship.

We also celebrate the birthday of Giancarlo Minardi, the man behind one of Formula One’s most beloved underdog teams. From his roots in Formula Two to giving chances to future stars like Alonso, Webber, and Fisichella, Minardi’s influence stretched far beyond the results sheet.

And we mark the career of Marc Surer, the Swiss driver known for his determination and resilience through one of the sport’s most perilous eras, later becoming a respected voice in the commentary box.

From underdog grit to title-defining triumphs, this episode highlights how perseverance and opportunity shape Formula One history.

Cover Image: Nico Rosberg - Mercedes AMG Petronas W07 by lmankram7 - CC BY 2.0 Link

Music by #Mubert Music Rendering

On this day in Formula One history, two British icons were born.

We celebrate the birthday of Stirling Moss – the man hailed as “the greatest driver never to win the World Championship,” whose courage, versatility and sportsmanship defined an era.

We also mark the birthday of Damon Hill, who overcame the weight of expectation to become World Champion in 1996 and carry on his father’s legacy.

And we revisit the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, where Carlos Sainz ended Red Bull’s winning streak with a brilliant display of tactical racecraft under the Marina Bay lights.

Join us as we look back on the legend that titles couldn’t measure, the champion who defied the odds, and the night Ferrari shone again.

Music by #Mubert Music Rendering

On September 16th, Formula One has witnessed landmark victories — but sometimes the spotlight has been elsewhere.

In this episode of Chequered Past, we revisit the 2001 Italian Grand Prix, where Juan Pablo Montoya finally claimed his first win, muted by the grief of 9/11 and Alex Zanardi’s devastating crash.

We move to Spa in 2007, where Ferrari sealed a one-two and clinched the Constructors’ Championship, yet the weekend was overshadowed by the tragic death of rally legend Colin McRae.

Along the way, we reflect on the life of Karl Kling, a talented Mercedes driver whose career was shaped — and overshadowed — by the Second World War and the legends around him.

And we close at Monza in 1951, where Alberto Ascari led Ferrari to their first ever 1–2 finish in a World Championship race, a breakthrough framed by their titanic season-long duel with Alfa Romeo.

These are the wins that weren’t the story — moments of triumph that history remembers differently.

Cover Image: By Peter Wright - Juan Pablo Montoya, Williams FW23, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link

Music by #Mubert Music Rendering