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
1st August 1976: The Crash That Changed F1
On this day in motorsport history, Formula 1 faced fire, loss, and redemption.
In this episode, we revisit the 1976 German Grand Prix — the day Niki Lauda’s horrifying crash at the Nürburgring Nordschleife didn’t just nearly cost him his life, but helped push Formula 1 toward a safer future.
We remember Patrick Depailler, the charismatic French driver who tragically lost his life testing at Hockenheim on the same date in 1980. We look back at Jim Clark’s commanding 1965 win on the fearsome Nürburgring — a masterclass in control and courage — and fast-forward to the chaos of the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, where Esteban Ocon claimed a stunning maiden victory amid mayhem and strategy twists.
This is a story of circuits that pushed limits, drivers who gave everything, and the moments that reshaped the sport forever.
Cover image: LaudaNiki19760731Ferrari312T2 by Lothar Spurzem under CC BY-SA 2.0 DE
Music by #Mubert Music Rendering