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
14th November 2010: The Night That Crowned a New King
On this day in Formula 1 history, the lights of Yas Marina illuminated a changing of the guard.
The 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix delivered a tense and tactical title decider — one that crowned Sebastian Vettel as the youngest World Champion in history, after Ferrari’s fateful strategy call left Fernando Alonso trapped behind Vitaly Petrov.
We also celebrate the birthday of Brett Lunger — Vietnam veteran, racing driver, and one of the men who pulled Niki Lauda from the flames of the Nürburgring — a reminder that motorsport’s greatest heroics don’t always happen at full speed.
And in Brazil, we revisit Lewis Hamilton’s astonishing 2021 São Paulo comeback, where penalties, adversity, and pure determination set the stage for one of the defining victories of his career — and a tribute to his hero, Ayrton Senna, that earned him the love of a nation.
Join us as we relive the night that crowned a new king, the courage that saved a champion, and the comeback that inspired a country — all on this day, 14 November, in racing’s rich and chequered past.
Cover Image: By Jitesh Jagadish - Vettel_abu_dabi_2010, CC BY 2.0, Link
Music by #Mubert Music Rendering