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
26th July 2009: The Boost That Sparked a Comeback
On July 26th, Formula One’s history has delivered both heartbreak and hope—sometimes on the same weekend.
In this episode of Chequered Past, we begin with Lewis Hamilton’s landmark victory at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix—the first win for a KERS-powered car, and a much-needed turning point in McLaren’s season. But that same weekend was overshadowed by Felipe Massa’s terrifying qualifying accident, a moment that would reshape safety standards in the sport.
We then go back to 1925 to recall the tragic loss of Antonio Ascari, whose son Alberto would eerily mirror his fate three decades later—making them the only father-son pair to both die while racing at the top level.
The spotlight then shifts to Emilio de Villota, born on this day in 1946, and his underappreciated dominance in the British Formula One Championship. His story, and that of his daughter María, highlights the lesser-known paths to legacy in motorsport.
Finally, we revisit the chaos and emotion of the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix—an unpredictable race just days after the funeral of Jules Bianchi—before turning to the present, as the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix Sprint session unfolds at Spa.
It’s a day of innovation, resilience, and remembrance—The Boost That Sparked a Comeback.
Cover Photo: Lewis Hamilton 2009 Belgium by Jane Belinda Smith under CC BY 2.0
Music by #Mubert Music Rendering