This year, Formula 1 celebrates its 75th anniversary. Throughout the 1,144 races that have been held over the 76 seasons, and the 781 drivers that have started at least one F1 race, Formula 1 has had a rich history as the crown jewel of motorsports. From legendary finishes to epic track battles, here are seven of the most exciting races that capture the speed, drama and legacy of Formula 1.
- 1950 British Grand Prix
Held at the Silverstone Circuit, the race marked the first World Championship F1 race. On May 13th, 1950, the 70 lap race was won by Nino Farina for Alfa Romeo. The race had 24 drivers entered, with 22 different cars, notably, Scuderia Ferrari did not compete in the race as Enzo Ferrari did not want to send his cars to Britain. The race marked the start of the iconic sport.
- 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix
The dramatic Hungarian Grand Prix celebrated the first career win of one-time World Driver’s Championship winner, Jenson Button. The race started in rainy conditions, the first of its kind around the track. While Button qualified fourth the day before, after being served a 10 place grid penalty, the British driver dropped to 14th, with Kimi Räikkönen taking pole. The changing conditions of the race caused both Micheal Schumacher and Fernando Alonso to stop mid-race. With a well-timed pitstop, Button secured a win. The race is widely considered one of the most entertaining.
- 2012 Brazil Grand Prix
The Brazil Grand Prix led Sebastian Vettel to his third consecutive championship in a chaotic race with rainy weather, multiple DNFs and risky overtakes. Jenson Button won the race from 7th on the grid, and Vettel managed to hold on to his position to get enough points to win the championship.
- 2008 Brazil Grand Prix
One of the most contested Driver’s Championship wins happened at the Brazil Circuit as Hamilton overtook Timo Glock for 5th place on the last corner of the last lap of the race after Felipe Massa had already won the race. Hamilton’s 5th place finish secured him the points needed for the Driver’s Championship. The race marked Hamilton’s first championship as the youngest F1 world champion, and Massa’s loss by just one point in the championship.
- 1989 Monaco Grand Prix
The 1989 Monaco Grand Prix, held at one of F1’s most prestigious tracks, was a demonstration of Ayrton Senna’s masterclass of driving. Over the course of the race, the Brazilian driver lapped 23 of the other drivers on the track, except his teammate Alain Prost, whom he finished 52.5 seconds ahead of.
- 2024 Brazil Grand Prix
Another memorable and more recent Brazilian Grand Prix was the 2024 race. Max Verstappen started 17th on the grid despite qualifying 12th as he was served a grid penalty before the race. The pole position starter, Lando Norris, was on track to win what seemed like an easy race for him. However, with changing weather conditions and wet track conditions, many drivers spun off. With a smart pit-stop strategy from Red Bull under a red flag. Max Verstappen won the race with both Alpines in second and third.
- 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
One of the most debated race wins happened during the last race of the 2021 season. At the start of the weekend, the title contenders, Verstappen and Hamilton, were both tied at 369.5 points each. Whoever finished ahead would win the championship. A last-minute safety car due to Nicholas Latifi’s crash, and an unprecedented race director decision, set up a last-lap showdown. Verstappen finally took the championship after overtaking Hamilton for the win in turn five of the last lap. The race cemented Verstappen’s name in history, and also caused the FIA to change its rules regarding safety cars and title fights.
