The season-opening Australia Grand Prix marked Brawn GP's debut and it proved a remarkable one. Jenson Button gave them their first pole position as Rubens Barrichello locked out the front row for the new team. Things went from good to better on race day as Button led home a dominant Brawn 1-2. In doing so, Brawn GP became the first constructor since Mercedes at the 1954 French Grand Prix to qualify on pole position and go on to win the race on grand prix debut. The race also marked Italian Jarno Trulli's 200th grand prix.
1998
Mika Hakkinen completed his third straight victory and McLaren secured its third straight 1-2 finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Hakkinen started from pole and led from start to finish, with the fastest lap thrown in for good measure. The race was notable for Damon Hill being disqualified for having an underweight car. 'I don't think it gets much worse than this,' he said.
1912
Ernst von Delius, born on this day in Plessa, was a German racing driver who broke into the Auto Union in 1936 team after seasons with Zoller and ERA. He had a good debut season, finishing second to his friend Bernard Rosemeyer in the Coppa Acerbo and third in the Italian Grand Prix. The following season he won the Grosvenor Grand Prix and put together a string of solid results. At the German Grand Prix he was given orders to drive faster, and while passing Richard Seaman he clipped the Mercedes and crashed, his car ploughing through a hedge. He suffered a broken leg and other less serious injuries but was considered fortunate. However, complications set in and overnight he died of a thrombosis. He was 25.
1900
British racing driver Bill Aston was born in Stafford, England. He entered three grands prix in 1952 but only qualified for one race, in Germany.
1981
British racing driver David Prophet was killed in a helicopter crash shortly after leaving Silverstone circuit. Born in Hong Kong, he competed in two grand prix both in South Africa.
1974
Marc Gene was born in Sabadell, Spain. He competed in 36 grand prix between 1999 and 2004. He went on to become a Ferrari test driver along with Luca Badoer. He won the 2009 Le Mans 24 hours for Peugeot.
1961
Gary Brabham, one of three sons of Australian F1 legend Jack Brabham, was born in Wimbledon, London. He entered two grand prix, in 1990, but failed to pre-qualify either time. He also competed in two ChampCar races in 1993 and 1994.
