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
2nd August 1959: The Champions That Conquered Germany
From the twisting tarmac of the Nürburgring to the flat-out fury of Hockenheim — and even the high-speed straights of Berlin’s AVUS — the German Grand Prix has long been a proving ground for Formula One’s finest. In this episode of Chequered Past, we revisit five landmark German Grands Prix that took place on August 2nd and celebrate the champions who tamed them.
We begin in 1953, where Alberto Ascari sealed his second world title on a record-breaking Nürburgring grid. In 1959, it was Tony Brooks who mastered the treacherous AVUS autobahn circuit with a dominating drive for Ferrari. The 1964 race saw John Surtees win at the ‘Ring under the shadow of tragedy, while Jochen Rindt’s 1970 triumph came as the race moved to Hockenheim in the name of safety. And finally, Nelson Piquet delivered a turbocharged victory in 1981 that helped launch his first world title bid.
These were The Champions That Conquered Germany — and their stories reflect both the evolution of Formula One and the enduring test of driving excellence on German soil.
Cover image: © Sportmusem Berlin & Heinrich von der Becke ; Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Music by #Mubert Music Rendering