Three years ago, to this very day, Ferrari were launching their new car for the 2009 season - the F60. A change of chassis numbering reflected the team celebrating their 60th year in the sport, and they were coming off the back of a Constructor’s Championship the previous season. In fact, they had secured the previous two constructor titles, and would have also been defending double driver’s titles too, if not for that very last emotional minute at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Former F1 world champion Damon Hill was confirmed as the new President of the British Racing Driver's Club on this very day five years ago. He took over the role from Sir Jackie Stewart, who had been in charge of the club for six years previously.
Busy launching their brand new car for the 2009 season, McLaren found themselves with something else to announce. Team principal Ron Dennis was to step down from his role, handing it over to his second-in-command Martin Whitmarsh.
Seven years ago, Williams debuted the design of their brand new car - the FW26 - to much consternation amongst fans and the paddock alike. The design featured a much shorter nose than normal, with the front dipping down rather suddenly. The struts split into two with a wide gap between, and that gave it an odd look, resulting in the car being dubbed "tusk-nosed".
Whilst still puzzling over Lucas di Grassi's formation lap accident in Japan last weekend, several other pre-race crashes have been highlighted, and it just so happens one took place on this very day five years ago. The Chinese Grand Prix was the final race of the season - a year refreshingly led by Renault and McLaren, after the previous Ferrari dominance.
Jacques Villeneuve won his one and only championship in 1997 behind the wheel of the Williams FW19. It was a good year for him, even with the small matter of a disqualification for one race. He scored ten pole positions, and picked up seven wins, which was enough to see him end the year on top - the driver's champion.
I have always loved the tale of how Jordan became Force India - through Midland F1 and Spyker. I like that a team can continue onwards even when the owners choose to say goodbye. It happens a lot, I know, but the Force India tale is an epic one. Jordan quit the sport in 2005, and the Midland outfit took over for just one solitary season. Canadian Alex Shnaider headed up the Midland Group, who saved the ailing team, but his support only lasted for a year. By the end of 2006, the team were sold again, to Dutch car manufacturer Spyker.
In the midst of the 2006 season, Mark Webber was racing with Williams F1 and not doing particularly well. He was with the Grove-based team for two years, with the highlight one solitary third place podium finish at Monaco in 2005. After a string of retirements the next season, the relatively new Red Bull squad snapped him up for the 2007 season. Hasn't he come a long way since then?
It's fair to say that Silverstone is one of the more popular circuits on the calendar. Whilst the racing isn't always superb, the track is supported by lots of history, plenty of emotion, and of course, passionate fans. Why is it, then, that Silverstone is the one track that always seems to have a shadow hanging over it? If something is about to kick off in F1, just wait until the British GP for it all to become clear.
When Roland Ratzenberger hit the wall at Villeneuve corner at Imola on April 30th 1994, Formula 1 was left to face with its first competitive fatality since Ricardo Paletti at Montreal twelve years earlier. The sudden brutality of the accident fractured the base of Ratzenberger’s skull and sent shockwaves through an already nervous sport – Rubens Barrichello having crashed heavily the previous day at Variante Bassa, knocking him unconscious and breaking his nose.
