On New Year’s Day, an all-time Formula 1 record was Broken.
Formula 1 Grands Prix in January and February were once quite frequent, and one of these races resulted in the breaking of an all-time record during the final race of a legend's career.
In contemporary Formula 1, the Christmas and New Year period stands out as one of the busiest times for teams, as they finalize preparations for the vehicles they anticipate will perform effectively on the track in the upcoming season.
Contrastingly, in the 1960s, when cars remained largely consistent from one season to the next, this aspect did not require consideration. Consequently, races were conducted throughout the year, extending from early January to late December.
The South African Grand Prix made its World Championship debut in December 1962, culminating in Graham Hill securing his inaugural title on December 29th at the East London circuit.
In both 1965 and 1968, the season commenced on January 1st, New Year’s Day itself, with Jim Clark clinching victory in the Lotus on both occasions. The second of these triumphs held special significance and historical value. Clark’s Record-Breaking Win
During the 1968 race, Clark secured his 25th World Championship Grand Prix victory, surpassing the record set by Juan Manuel Fangio in 1957. Clark’s dominant performance in the Lotus, leading for 79 out of 80 laps, showcased his prowess. Although denied a Grand Chelem by Jackie Stewart leading the opening lap, Clark also set records for most races led, most poles, and most points.
Tragically, Clark’s remarkable achievements came to an abrupt halt. Despite the next World Championship race scheduled for Spain on May 12th, Clark participated in a Formula 2 event at Hockenheim in April. Unfortunately, he crashed early in the wet race, succumbing to his injuries. This marked the end of his illustrious career, leaving a benchmark of 25 World Championship Grand Prix wins.
The great Jim Clark would have celebrated his 85th birthday today
He is widely acknowledged as an F1 and motorsport icon
Here’s a look at some of the reasons why… #F1 #OnThisDay pic.twitter.com/TuYHjwOfqA
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 4, 2021
RECORD FOR MOST WINS IN F1 PROGRESSION
| Driver | Number of wins | Record held since |
|---|---|---|
| Giuseppe Farina | 1 | 1950 British GP |
| Giuseppe Farina | 2 | 1950 Swiss GP |
| Juan Manuel Fangio | 3 | 1950 French GP |
| Juan Manuel Fangio | 4 | 1951 Swiss GP |
| Juan Manuel Fangio | 6 | 1951 Spanish GP |
| Alberto Ascari | 13 | 1953 Swiss GP |
| Juan Manuel Fangio | 24 | 1955 Argentine GP |
| Jim Clark | 25 | 1968 South African GP |
| Jackie Stewart | 27 | 1973 Dutch GP |
| Alain Prost | 51 | 1987 Portuguese GP |
| Michael Schumacher | 91 | 2001 Belgian GP |
| Lewis Hamilton | 103 | 2020 Portuguese GP |
