Chequered Past
Chequered Past is a Formula 1 history podcast that dives deep into iconic races, legendary drivers, and forgotten moments from motorsport’s rich and dramatic past. Each episode revisits Grand Prix events that took place on the same date in history, uncovering fascinating stories, on-track controversies, and the evolution of F1 through the decades. Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to the sport, Chequered Past offers compelling insights and nostalgia-fuelled storytelling from the world’s fastest sport.
Chequered Past
23rd July 1950: The Races That Were Pointless
Some races don’t award points — but they still make history.
In this episode of Chequered Past, we head off the beaten track to spotlight three non-championship Formula One races that took place on July 23rd across three decades. From Caracciola’s rain-soaked masterclass at the 1939 German Grand Prix, to Louis Rosier’s gritty privateer triumph at Zandvoort in 1950, and Innes Ireland’s breakthrough win for Lotus at the twisty Solitude circuit in 1961 — these were races that didn’t count toward a title, but mattered in every other way.
We also celebrate the birthday of American innovator Jim Hall, the quiet genius who revolutionised motorsport with his boundary-pushing Chaparrals.
And finally, we fast-forward to 2023, where Max Verstappen and Red Bull rewrote the record books in Hungary, sealing their twelfth consecutive win and turning dominance into an art form.
These are the outliers. The one-offs. The “pointless” races that proved unforgettable.
Music by #Mubert Music Rendering