Michael Schumacher was gushing in his praise of the new Ferrari - "it's something special, so beautiful, so fine" - after his win in the Spanish Grand Prix. Championship leader Kimi Raikkonen never made it off the grid as he slammed into the back of the stalled Jaguar of Antonio Pizzonia, and thereafter Schumacher was in complete control. Headlines, however, and the plaudits of the 96,000 crowd, were stolen by 22-year-old local lad Fernando Alonso who finished second in his Renault. "That was the fifth consecutive race in which I have finished in the points, which is all I could have dreamt of," he said. "And I am still dreaming."
1928
The birth of a man who would almost certainly have been the 1961 world champion had he not died at Monza when his car careered into the crowd, also killing 14 spectators. Until the emergence of Michael Schumacher, Wolfgang von Trips was Germany's most successful F1 driver. Always quick, he shrugged off the reputation as a crasher he had garnered in his early career when he rejoined Ferrari in 1960. A number of top-six placings that year were followed by a determined assault on the World Championship in 1961. Two wins and two second places from six races had him bang on target as he arrived for the Italian Grand Prix. However, after taking pole, he made a poor start and, trying to protect his position on the first lap, collided with Jim Clark.
1980
Didier Pironi led the Belgian Grand Prix from start to finish to record his first win, lapping all bar two drivers in the process. Alan Jones, who went on to win the drivers' title, finished second after being overtaken by Pironi on the opening lap.
