Widely regarded as one of the best drivers never to win the world championship, Sweden's Ronnie Peterson won the last of his ten grand prix victories at the Austrian Grand Prix, winning from Patrick Depailler and Gilles Villeneuve. Peterson took ten victories in an eight year F1 career but tragically died a month later after complications arising from a straightforward operation on broken legs sustained during a crash at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
1989
The 1989 Hungarian Grand Prix will forever be remembered for a brilliantly opportunistic manoeuvre by Nigel Mansell's Ferrari on Ayrton Senna's McLaren that secured him victory. On lap 58 the pair came up to pass backmarker Stefan Johansson, experiencing gearbox problems in his Onyx. As the leaders arrived behind the Swede his problem struck again and as the Onyx slowed unexpectedly, Mansell swerved to the right of Senna and nailed his man.
1887
David Bruce-Brown was born in New York City on this day. His career started when as an 18-year-old he bluffed his way into a drive and his natural talent was soon evident. He won the American Grand Prize in 1910 and 1911 and also competed in the 1911 (finishing third) and 1912 Indianapolis 500s. He was killed during practice for the 1912 American Grand Prize.
1995
Damon Hill romped to a straightforward victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, leading home team-mate David Coulthard for a Williams 1-2. Michael Schumacher looked destined to finish second in his Benetton and was hunting down Hill when he was forced to retire with a fuel pump problem. Despite his retirement, Schumacher still led the championship by eleven points from Hill. The race also saw a bizarre incident involving Japanese driver Taki Inoue. His Footwork had broken down by the side of the track and when he climbed from his car, he ran straight into the path of a marshal's car which promptly knocked him over and injured his leg.
1972
Emerson Fittipaldi won the Austrian Grand Prix at the Osterreichring from Denny Hulme and Peter Revson after passing Jackie Stewart for the lead on lap 24. The victory gave Fittipaldi a lead in the championship of 25 points with only three races remaining meaning that Hulme would need to win all three without Emerson scoring a point to beat the young Brazilian to the title.
