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
27th November 2016: The Championship That Rosberg Won on Nerve
On this day’s episode of Chequered Past, we revisit a title showdown defined not by speed, but by nerve. The 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix brought the Hamilton–Rosberg rivalry to its boiling point as Nico Rosberg withstood relentless pressure — from his teammate, from the chasing pack, and from the weight of a lifetime’s ambition — to claim his first and only World Championship.
We then turn to the remarkable career of Kenny Acheson, the Northern Irish talent whose path through motorsport was shaped by courage and resilience. From a devastating Formula 2 crash at Pau to rebuilding his career in Japan and eventually finishing second at Le Mans with Sauber-Mercedes, Acheson’s journey is one of the sport’s great comeback stories.
Finally, we wrap up the 2011 season at Interlagos — a finale marked by Red Bull dominance, Jenson Button’s rise to second in the championship, and Rubens Barrichello’s emotional farewell. It may not have been a title decider, but it closed the year with stories of transition, endurance, and the shifting shape of a new F1 era.
Three tales, three eras, one sport — all part of racing’s rich and chequered past.
Cover image: By Morio - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Music by #Mubert Music Rendering