Giuseppe Farina won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza to finish three points ahead of main rival Juan Manuel Fangio. The race saw the first serious challenge to Alfa Romeo in a world championship event with Ascari battling with Fangio and Farina. After 21 laps Ascari retired with an overheating engine and Fangio went out soon afterwards with a gearbox problem.
1939
On the day Britain and France declared war against Germany, the last major European race for almost seven years took place with the staging of the one and only Belgrade Grand Prix. It was to be the last hurrah of the great Auto Union-Mercedes era as well and the final major win for the legendary Tazio Nuvolari.
2003
Ralf Schumacher discharged himself from hospital against doctors' advice after he was involved in a heavy accident in Monza, where his car lost both rear and front wings at the second Lesmo corner. He was taken to hospital for precautionary checks and remained overnight for observation.
1906
The birth in Maffersdorf (the in Austria-Hungary but now in the Czech Republic) of the legendary and brilliant Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the eponymous manufacturer. He also designed the iconic VW Beetle as well as Germany's Tiger tanks, earning him accolades from the Nazi party and internment by the French as a war criminal. He subsequently rebuilt the company after the war despite considerable obstacles, dying after suffering stroke in 1951.
1939
As Britain and France declared war against Germany, the last major European race for almost seven years took place with the staging of the one and only Belgrade Grand Prix. It was to be the last hurrah of the great Auto Union-Mercedes era as well and the final major win for the legendary Tazio Nuvolari.
2004
It was Michael Schumacher's turn to suffer a huge accident during testing at Monza when the left-rear tyre of his Ferrari blew out at the end of the start/finish straight. Schumacher hit the barriers with the front and rear of the car, but left the accident unscathed.
2008
Formula One Management agreed a new deal with ESPN Star Sports for F1 television broadcasts in Asia. ESPN Star Sports was given exclusive Grand Prix broadcast rights in 24 Asian markets for the next five years in a deal that included internet, radio and mobile phone broadcasts as well as television coverage.
