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
Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz would have made for a stellar Red Bull driver line-up in 2025. Adam Cooper reveals why it extended Sergio Perez's contract early in the year — but has now apparently changed its mind
In Abu Dhabi, McLaren was crowned F1 constructors' champion for the first time since its MP4-13 delivered the title 26 years ago. Matt Bishop recalls what made Adrian Newey's first McLaren masterpiece 'seriously rock'
2024 has been the most competitive F1 season on record – but which driver has been the best this year? We rank them all
All ten F1 teams are back in action in Abu Dhabi this Tuesday for 2024 post-season testing, with at least 13 rookie drivers appearing on track. Here's everything you need to know about each one