McLaren denied that Lewis Hamilton had used the 'F word' word as reported by British newspapers during a radio conversation with team boss Ron Dennis in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Hamilton had been held up by team-mate Fernando Alonso during qualifying and missed the chance to complete a final flying lap. Papers later reported that Hamilton had had a heated discussion with Dennis, telling his team boss to 'never f****** do that to me again' and 'go f****** swivel.' On the same day, Malaysian driver Fairuz Fauzy returned to Formula One action to carry out a day of testing for the Spyker team. Fauzy, who had not driven the Spyker since May, assisted the team with their aero development programme.
2005
Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone expressed his confidence that the United States Grand Prix would take place in 2006 despite question marks raised over the future of Indianapolis after the 2005 race was held without seven of the 10 Formula One teams when Michelin teams withdrew on tyre safety grounds. The fiasco was followed by harsh criticism of the event among the local public, subsequently leading Michelin to announce it would refund all ticket holders.
1944
Patrick Depailler was born in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Competing in Formula One from 1972 until 1980, Depaillier completed 95 race starts and claimed two race victories and 19 podiums before being tragically killed in testing at Hockenheim in 1980.
