This week 40 years ago, an Italian fashion label signed a deal which began one of F1’s most successful, influential and colourful sponsorship programmes.
1980-1989 F1 seasons articles archive
1980-1989 F1 seasons
The forgotten story of the first time F1 snubbed Michael Andretti in 1986
F1 history
Posted onMichael Andretti’s chance of a Formula 1 debut in 1986 was thwarted when the sport’s governing body refused to give him a superlicence.
Which was F1’s best down-to-the-wire title fight?
Debates and Polls
Posted onWhat was Formula 1’s best ever championship showdown? Recap all thirty final race title deciders and then let us know what you think was F1’s best climax to a season.
F1 almost had Saturday sprint races 35 years ago – this time it probably will
2021 F1 season
Posted onFormula 1 considered introducing Saturday ‘qualifying races’ in 1986 but the plan was scrapped – 35 years on, expect a different outcome.
My F1 Cars: Marc Surer on the monstrous power of the turbo era
My F1 Cars
Posted onMarc Surer drove F1 cars with explosive power – and for team managers with explosive tempers. He tells us about both in the new edition of My F1 Cars.
Mansell wins in Piquet’s car
1986 British Grand Prix flashback
Posted onNigel Mansell scored a remarkable home victory at Brands Hatch 30 years ago today driving his team mate Nelson Piquet’s spare car.
Top Ten: F1 season review videos
Top Ten
Posted onWith the first race of 2016 still two months away, it’s time to ease the withdrawal with some retro F1 videos. But which are the best?
Prost’s Suzuka chicanery denies Senna the title
1989 Japanese Grand Prix flashback
Posted onOne of the most notorious episodes in F1 history occurred today in 1989 when Alain Prost won the world championship after colliding with McLaren team mate Ayrton Senna at Suzuka.
“I should have won ’86, he should have won ’87” – Piquet and Mansell on their rivalry
F1 history
Posted onNigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet talk about their notorious F1 rivalry, sportsmanship – and whether today’s drivers could cope with yesterday’s cars.
Today in 1987: Mansell defeats Piquet at Silverstone
1987 British Grand Prix flashback
Posted onOne of Nigel Mansell’s greatest victories came 25 years ago today on home ground at Silverstone – but his win had consequences for Williams.
Today in 1982: Start line crash in Canada kills Paletti
1982 Canadian Grand Prix flashback
Posted onThe turbulent 1982 season took another tragic turn 30 years ago today as Ricardo Paletti lost his life in the Canadian Grand Prix.
On this day in 1982: Gilles Villeneuve killed at Zolder
1982 Belgian Grand Prix flashback
Posted onFormula One lost one of its most beloved heroes on this day 30 years ago. Gilles Villeneuve was killed in a crash at Zolder in Belgium.
Today in 1982: Villeneuve and Pironi’s fatal feud at Ferrari
1982 San Marino Grand Prix flashback
Posted onThe 1982 San Marino Grand Prix, 30 years ago today, began with a political row and ended with a bitter feud between team mates – which had tragic consequences.
Berger’s breakthrough win sets up three-way title showdown
1986 Mexican GP flashback
Posted onA dramatic championship twist 25 years ago today set up a three-way fight in the last race.
Jarama’s final F1 race sees Villeneuve’s last and best grand prix win
1981 Spanish Grand Prix flashback
Posted onGilles Villeneuve’s victory at Jarama on this day in 1981 was instantly recognised as one of the great grand prix wins.
On this day in 1981: F1’s deadly fiasco at Zolder
1981 Belgian Grand Prix flashback
Posted onF1 counted the cost of a tragic and shambolic Belgian Grand Prix weekend at Zolder 30 years ago today.
Senna holds charging Mansell back by a hundredth in Jerez thriller
Grand Prix flashback
Posted onThe 1986 Spanish Grand Prix witnessed one of the closest finishes in F1 history.
Senna clinches second world championship by taking Prost out
1990 Japanese Grand Prix flashback
Posted onAyrton Senna clinched the 1990 world championship in a deeply controversial Japanese Grand Prix. He rammed into rival Alain Prost at the first corner at Suzuka, taking both of them out of the race.
Domination: the 1998 Australian Grand Prix
1998 F1 season
Posted onMcLaren routed the opposition in the season-opening race of 1998 at Melbourne, but a bizarre error led David Coulthard to let Mika Hakkinen through to win.
1988 Brazilian Grand Prix flashback
Grand Prix flashback
Posted onWhen McLaren turned up at the first race of 1988 with scarcely any testing miles on its new car, few expected the MP4/4s to dominated the season the way they did. But at the Brazilian Grand Prix hopes of a closely-fought season were wrecked as McLaren dominated. Guest writer Andrew Tsvyk tells the story. This … Continue reading 1988 Brazilian Grand Prix flashback