On this day... 09 February (2006) - Gerhard Berger bought a 50% stake in Toro Rosso.

Ex-Formula One driver Gerhard Berger bought a 50% stake in Toro Rosso. The deal saw Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz purchase 50% of Berger's shipping company in return. The team improved under Berger's part ownership and surprised the F1 establishment by winning the 2008 Italian Grand Prix. However, just a few months later Berger sold his share back to Mateschitz.

1937

Tony Maggs was born in Pretoria, South Africa. He raced at 25 grand prix between 1961 and 1965 and scored three podiums with the Cooper team. After leaving F1 he continued to race in Formula 2 but quit motorsport altogether when he was involved in an accident which killed an eight-year-old spectator. He continued to attend historic events until his death but mainly concentrated on running his farm in the Northern Transvaal.

1909

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation was founded to organise and hold races at the world renowned Indianapolis Speedway . The first few events proved to be a disaster, however, as the hurriedly laid track surface of crushed stone and tar broke up. The organisers quickly found a solution by laying the surface with bricks, giving the venue its nickname, 'The Brickyard'. The first Indy 500 was held in 1911 and the race is now the biggest single-day motorsport event, attracting 400,000 fans each year.

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