What Happened On This Day April 11 In F1 History?

From Ayrton Senna’s 38th career win at the rain-soaked 1993 European Grand Prix to Mika Hakkinen's 10th F1 victory at the 1999 Brazilian Grand Prix.

Lee Parker

By Lee Parker
Updated on February 5, 2025

1993 European Grand Prix Senna
Senna wins the rain-soaked 1993 European Grand Prix with McLaren // Image: Mclaren

What happened on this day, April 11 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.

1920

Al Keller, born on this day in New York State, was an adaptable racer who competed in both NASCAR and the Champ Car series throughout the 1950s. In 1954, he made history as the first driver to win a NASCAR race in a foreign-built car, driving a Jaguar.

Between 1954 and 1961, Keller made 32 starts in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, including multiple appearances at the Indianapolis 500, when it formed part of the F1 World Championship of Drivers. Tragically, in 1961, he lost his life in a crash at the Arizona State Fairgrounds track.

1926

Pete Lovely, born on this day in Montana, was best known for entering privately-run Lotus cars in Formula One, often under the banner “Pete Lovely Volkswagen,” reflecting his business as a VW dealer.

Over 11 Grand Prix starts his best result came at the 1969 Canadian Grand Prix, where he finished seventh. His racing career in various series spanned an impressive 50 years.

1993

The ever-changing weather at the 1993 European Grand Prix made McLaren driver Ayrton Senna’s 38th career win even more special. Damon Hill finished second for Williams, describing the treacherous conditions as a nightmare and the worst you would ever want to race in. Hill’s teammate, Alain Prost, claimed third despite making an astonishing seven tyre changes throughout the race.

Senna, who started fourth on the grid, delivered a masterclass in wet-weather driving, surging into the lead by the end of the first lap. He also made five pit stops—one of which he had to abort when his mechanics were caught off guard—yet still managed to dominate in one of his most celebrated performances.

The race was the first held under the European Grand Prix title since 1985, and to date is the only Formula 1 Grand Prix to have been held at the Donington Park circuit

1993 European Grand Prix Race Results
PosNoDriverCarLapsTime/retiredPts
18Ayrton SennaMcLaren Ford761:50:46.57010
20Damon HillWilliams Renault76+83.199s6
32Alain ProstWilliams Renault75+1 lap4
412Johnny HerbertLotus Ford75+1 lap3
56Riccardo PatreseBenetton Ford74+2 laps2
624Fabrizio BarbazzaMinardi Ford74+2 laps1
723Christian FittipaldiMinardi Ford73+3 laps0
811Alessandro ZanardiLotus Ford72+4 laps0
920Erik ComasLarrousse Lamborghini72+4 laps0
1014Rubens BarrichelloJordan Hart70DNF0
1121Michele AlboretoLola Ferrari70+6 laps0
NC9Derek WarwickFootwork Mugen Honda66DNF0
NC15Thierry BoutsenJordan Hart61DNF0
NC4Andrea de CesarisTyrrell Yamaha55DNF0
NC27Jean AlesiFerrari36DNF0
NC10Aguri SuzukiFootwork Mugen Honda29DNF0
NC19Philippe AlliotLarrousse Lamborghini27DNF0
NC5Michael SchumacherBenetton Ford22DNF0
NC26Mark BlundellLigier Renault20DNF0
NC28Gerhard BergerFerrari19DNF0
NC30Jyrki JarvilehtoSauber13DNF0
NC3Ukyo KatayamaTyrrell Yamaha11DNF0
NC25Martin BrundleLigier Renault7DNF0

1999

Mika Hakkinen secured his 10th F1 victory at the 1999 Brazilian Grand Prix, crossing the line 4.9 seconds ahead of Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari. Heinz-Harald Frentzen claimed third for Jordan, despite his car stopping on the final lap running out of fuel, as the next car was a lap down.

Häkkinen’s race was not without drama—at one point, he lost his gears and feared the race was over. “I suddenly couldn’t get a high gear, and I thought the game was over, but suddenly the gears came back,” he recalled. This brief setback allowed Rubens Barrichello to take the lead, igniting cheers from the 120,000-strong home crowd. However, their excitement turned to heartbreak when Barrichello’s engine failed, ending his hopes of a dream victory.

1999 Brazilian Grand Prix Race Results
PosNoDriverCarLapsTime/retiredPts
11Mika HakkinenMcLaren Mercedes721:36:03.78510
23Michael SchumacherFerrari72+4.925s6
38Heinz-Harald FrentzenJordan Mugen Honda71DNF4
46Ralf SchumacherWilliams Supertec71+1 lap3
54Eddie IrvineFerrari71+1 lap2
618Olivier PanisProst Peugeot71+1 lap1
710Alexander WurzBenetton Playlife70+2 laps0
815Toranosuke TakagiArrows69+3 laps0
921Marc GeneMinardi Ford69+3 laps0
NC14Pedro de la RosaArrows52DNF0
NC22Jacques VilleneuveBAR Supertec49DNF0
NC5Alessandro ZanardiWilliams Supertec43DNF0
NC16Rubens BarrichelloStewart Ford42DNF0
NC12Pedro DinizSauber Petronas42DNF0
NC9Giancarlo FisichellaBenetton Playlife38DNF0
NC20Stephane SarrazinMinardi Ford31DNF0
NC11Jean AlesiSauber Petronas27DNF0
NC2David CoulthardMcLaren Mercedes22DNF0
NC19Jarno TrulliProst Peugeot21DNF0
NC17Johnny HerbertStewart Ford15DNF0
NC7Damon HillJordan Mugen Honda10DNF0

F1 Driver Birthdays 11 April

BirthdayF1 Driver
11 April 1908Robert O’Brien (d. 1987)
11 April 1920Al Keller (d. 1961)
11 April 1920Wayne Selser (d. 1994)
11 April 1925Johnny Fedricks (d. 2001)
11 April 1926Pete Lovely (d. 2011)

F1 Driver Deaths 11 April

DeathF1 Driver
11 April 1987Rudolf Krause (b. 1907)

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About The Author

Staff Writer

Lee Parker
Lee Parker

Lee is our staff writer specialising in anything technical within Formula 1 from aerodynamics to engines. Lee writes most of our F1 guides for beginners and experienced fans as well as our F1 on this day posts having followed the sport since 1991, researching and understanding how teams build the ultimate machines. Like everyone else on the team he listens to podcasts about F1 and enjoys reading biographies of former drivers.

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