Utter confusion surrounded Peter Revson's victory at the Canadian Grand Prix at Mosport Park, and it took more than ten minutes after the chequered flag was waved for officials to announce the result, and then a string of protests before it was confirmed. The shambles came after accidents and a rain-delayed start, and when a safety car came out on the 55th lap, Emerson Fittipaldi was in the lead, but ten laps under the yellow flag followed and then came the shambles. "I was ahead of Revson from the start," argued a bemused Fittipaldi. "I don't see how I didn't win." Colin Chapman, the Lotus boss, wasn't in any doubt either as he threw his hat in the air as Fittipaldi crossed the line. It later emerged the safety car, a new concept, had come out ahead of the wrong car and that had allowed Revson to make up a lap, quite legally.
1990
Speculation was rife that Nigel Mansell was set to retire, but a brilliant drive to win the Portuguese Grand Prix almost certainly changed his mind, as did a deal to drive for Williams after two seasons with Ferrari. Mansell fought off a determined challenge from Ayrton Senna in a race which was stopped nine laps before time after Alex Caffi crashed and was trapped inside the wreckage of his Arrows. In the post-race interviews, Mansell's team-mate Alain Prost, who finished third, conceded he was out of the title race but then launched a stinging attack on his Ferrari team. "We don't deserve to win the world championship because there is nobody in the team with the authority to give direction and make the strategy to compete with McLaren," he fumed.
1887
Alfieri Maserati, who was born on this day in Voghera, Italy, was an engineer best known for establishing the Maserati racing car manufacturer with the other Maserati Brothers. As a driver, he won a number of races either side of World War One. He died in 1932 during an operation to correct damage to his liver sustained in a racing accident five years earlier.
1981
Robert Doornbos was born on this day in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Having a brief career in Formula One that saw him make 11 race starts, Doornbos moved onto American Champ Cars where he found more success, finishing third in his debut season.
