A busy week in motor sport from the Archive and Database, with fan-favourites born, fortuitous wins for Prost, Sebring victories and much more
1895: Grand Prix winner, Le Mans winner, WWI pilot and WWII resistance fighter Robert Benoist is born. In profile
1952: IMSA star and Le Mans winner Geoff Brabham is born. In profile
1971: As Mark Donohue and Pedro Rodriguez clash, Vic Elford and Gerard Larrousse win the Sebring 12 Hours. Report
1972: Pedro Lamy, Portugal’s second Formula 1 driver, is born. In profile
1921: Francesco ‘Chico’ Godia, Spain’s most successful F1 driver until Fernando Alonso, is born. In profile
1960: Ayrton Senna is born. In profile
1966: Indy-winning Swede Kenny Brack is born. In profile
1971: Clay Regazzoni wins the Race of Champions, despite trailing blue smoke by the flag. Report
1982: Alain Prost is handed the win in sweltering Rio, after Nelson Piquet and Keke Rosberg are disqualified. Report
1969: Jacky Ickx and Jackie Oliver win the Sebring 12 Hours. Report
1991: Sports car racer and ex-Grand Prix racer Roberto Merhi is born. In profile
1992: Nigel Mansell and Riccardo Patrese dominate in Mexico. Report
1968: Jo Siffert and Hans Herrmann win the Sebring 12 Hours. Report
1981: World champion, sports car winner, Grand Prix podium finisher and George Medal hero Mike Hailwood is killed in a road accident. In profile
1986: Piquet wins at home, as Nigel Mansell and Senna clash at turn one. Report
1923: Sports car racer, Grand Prix starter, and the first Englishman in NASCAR, Brian Naylor is born. In profile
2002: Bob Said, GP starter and the first American to win a race in Europe following WWII, passes away. In profile
1984: Derek Warwick and Niki Lauda both retire from the lead, handing Alain Prost victory in Rio. Report
1990: And six years later… Prost wins again after Senna is nudged from victory by Nakajima. Report
1941: F1’s only female points scorer, Lella Lombardi is born. In profile
1952: Le Mans and Grand Prix winner Didier Pironi is born. In profile
1958: Elio de Angelis, Grand Prix winner, concert-standard pianist and all-round favourite, is born. In profile
1989: Mansell is a calm and composed victor in Brazil. Report
Time's running out for Oscar Piastri's rivals to catch him in the 2025 F1 championship, but recent races have shown Lando Norris and Max Verstappen a path to the title
Mercedes will keep its current pairing, while new team Cadillac will bring back familiar faces in the 2026 F1 driver line-ups. Here are the contracts in place, rumoured deals and who could end up where during silly season
McLaren's court case against IndyCar champion Alex Palou has exposed the price that some drivers will pay to join a Formula 1 free practice session
McLaren's victory celebrations, after winning its tenth F1 constructors' championship in Singapore, sent Matt Bishop contemplating its very first title — in 1974 — that was formed from the tragedy of founder Bruce McLaren's death
