When Roland Ratzenberger crashed brutally during qualifying for the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, Formula One was forced to face mortality for the first time in eight years, but the death the following day of Ayrton Senna cast a shadow over Ratzenberger’s tragedy. Twenty years on, Ratzenberger’s memory breathes, as does his legacy. Leigh O’Gorman spoke to the drivers who raced against and knew him, as they remember Roland Ratzenberger – Formula One’s forgotten man.
Tag: brabham
“Hilmer becomes Force India junior squad”
GP2 Series race winners Hilmer Motorsport are to become Force India’s junior development team from this season.
“All go as Ferrari power the Florida Winter Series”
The new-for-2014 Florida Winter Series is set to launch at Homestead Speedway in eleven days time; however this is one that looks at young drivers in a slightly different way.
“Meanwhile, Rinland joins Puma 3 M-Sport”
Former Formula One designer Sergio Rinland has joined Auto GP’s Puma 3 M-Sport team for the 2014 season.
“Looking Back: Fuelled to the finish”
In today’s ultra-precise Formula One, it may seem almost unfathomable for a driver to run out of fuel prior to the end of a race, but in previous generations, it wasn’t a completely unusual situation.
“Reflections: ‘Brabham reigns in the rain – 1967 Canadian Grand Prix (Rd 8)'”
After running non-championship Grand Prix under sportscar rules for six years at Mosport Park, the Canadian Grand Prix had its bid to become a World Championship event in 1967 accepted.
“Meanwhile, at the Weekend: Farfus wins DTM opener; Cammish makes it nine Formula Ford GB wins at Thruxton”
“Meanwhile, at the Weekend: Farfus wins DTM opener; Cammish makes it nine Formula Ford GB wins at Thruxton”
“Meanwhile, at the Weekend: Vettel wins the Bahrain GP; Leimer and Bird take GP2 glory; Sato takes first IndyCar win; Munoz triumphs at Long Beach; Cammish makes it six from six at Donington”
"Meanwhile, at the Weekend: Vettel wins the Bahrain GP; Leimer and Bird take GP2 glory; Sato takes first IndyCar win; Munoz triumphs at Long Beach”
“Reflections: ‘Lauda razor sharp in Long Beach – 1982 US Grand Prix West (Rd 3)’”
As the Formula One circus pitched up at Long Beach for the first of three American Grands Prix in 1982, the tensions between FOCA and FISA began to heat up once again following two heated meets in South Africa and Brazil.
“A rebirth for Formula Ford?”
The British Formula Ford Championship returns this weekend, looking somewhat different to previous generations.
“Reflections: ‘Prost victorious as Piquet disqualified – 1982 Brazilian Grand Prix (Rd 2)’”
With the 1982 Argentine Grand Prix lost due to lingering uncertainties within the sport, Formula One finally arrived in South America for the Brazilian Grand Prix in mid-March and although two months had passed since the infamous South African Grand Prix, ill feeling remained within the paddock and the outer reaches of Formula One itself.
“Remembering the Birmingham Superprix”
In 1985, the International Formula 3000 replaced the defunct European F2 Series as the final stepping stone before Formula 1. Come 1986, F3000 altered its schedule slightly to include races at Imola, Bugatti Le Mans and Jarama; however the destination that stood out like a sore thumb was "Birmingham".
“Reflections: Stewart Shines in Iberian Sun – 1970 Spanish Grand Prix”
Jackie Stewart had relatively few complaints about the opening to the 1970 Formula 1 season. Having claimed his first title several months previously, the Scot's defence began well with a podium under South Africa's hot, dry sun in Kyalami.
“Alice Powell: breaking the Status quo”
Since Giovanna Amati’s anonymous and brief spell with the ailing Brabham team in 1992, Formula 1 has suffered from a dearth of female competitors. Meanwhile, this season’s GP3 Series contains 2010 Formula Renault BARC champion Alice Powell.
“Looking to the Grand Prix de Pau”
The 2012 British Formula 3 Series takes in a number of historic and famous locations as it weans its way around the UK and Europe, but few are more prestigious than the Grand Prix de Pau in the beautiful south of France.
Vicky Piria becomes first female GP3 racer; Ellinas, Machado and Visoiu also sign up
Italian racer Vicky Piria will become the first female to contest the GP3 Series this season when she competes for Trident Racing, while Marusssia Manor complete their line-up with Tio Ellinas and Fabiano Machado. Robert Visoiu joins Jenzer Motorsport.
Reflections: “Prost from the Brink – 1982 South African Grand Prix (Rd 1)”
Formula 1 loves controversy; it feeds off of it. Without the public displays of placated aggravation and sugar-coated cat calling, Formula 1 would probably fall from the public eye. At the start of 1982, Formula 1 got it very, very wrong.
“Giancarlo Baghetti: The Grand Débutante”
------ This post was originally published on Too Much Racing in August of last year, as part of the VivaF1 blogger swap shop. The Grand Débutante reappears here today, as it marks the 50th anniversary of Giancarlo Baghetti's great achievement. ------ In terms of startling Grand Prix débuts, few will ever rank as highly as … Continue reading “Giancarlo Baghetti: The Grand Débutante”
Guest Post: It’s All About Love
It's hard to imagine in today's professional era but until the eighties it was common practice in minor Formula One countries for local drivers to bring some local colour to the grid, joining the regulars for a one-off in their privately entered machines. One such privateer was John Love.
Reflections: “Clark dominates at Clermont-Ferrand – 1965 French Grand Prix (Rd 4)”
Before the 1965 French Grand Prix, Lotus driver Jim Clark was quietly confident. After three rounds, the legendary Scot had a three-point advantage over BRM's Graham Hill when they arrived at Clermont-Ferrand. With skill and smoothness a premium at the French circuit, Clark possessed an advantage that often superseded the superb engineering of his nimble Lotus 33. In the race, he would made it look so easy.