What Happened On This Day December 29 In F1 History?

From Graham Hill winning his and BRM's first titles in 1962 to the severe, life changing ski accident of Michael Schumacher in 2013.

Lee Parker

By Lee Parker
Updated on November 26, 2024

Graham Hill 1962 South African Grand Prix
Graham Hill wins the 1962 South African Grand Prix, and with it the Drivers' Championship along with BRM who win the Constructors' // Image: Uncredited

What happened on this day, December 29 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.

1917

Born in Derbyshire, David Hampshire was a company director who funded his racing pursuits. Competing in two F1 races in 1950, his standout victory came in the 1950 Nottingham Trophy Grand Prix, a non-championship event, driving a Maserati.

1925

Jay Chamberlain, an American racer born in Los Angeles, competed in the 1962 British Grand Prix, finishing 15th. He gained greater recognition as the first U.S. Lotus franchise operator, though his partnership with Colin Chapman ended contentiously.

1962

The final round of the season the 1962 South African Grand Prix took place at the East London Circuit in South Africa, three months after the penultimate race in the USA. It was a title showdown between Graham Hill and Jim Clark, with Hill holding a nine-point lead. However, the points system meant Clark could clinch the title with a win. Starting from pole, Clark quickly established a dominant lead of over 30 seconds, appearing poised for victory. Disaster struck on Lap 62 when an oil leak forced him to retire, handing the championship to Hill, who also won the race. The triumph secured Hill’s first World Championship and BRM‘s only Constructors’ title.

1962 South African Grand Prix Race Results
PosNoDriverCarLapsTime/retiredPts
13Graham HillBRM822:08:03.3009
28Bruce McLarenCooper Climax82+49.800s6
39Tony MaggsCooper Climax82+50.300s4
410Jack BrabhamBrabham Climax82+53.800s3
511Innes IrelandLotus Climax81+1 lap2
620Neville LederleLotus Climax78+4 laps1
74Richie GintherBRM78+4 laps0
818John LoveCooper Climax78+4 laps0
95Bruce  JohnstoneBRM76+6 laps0
1014Ernie PieterseLotus Climax71+11 laps0
1115Carel Godin de BeaufortPorsche70DNF0
NC21Doug SerrurierLDS Alfa Romeo62DNF0
NC1Jim ClarkLotus Climax61DNF0
NC7Roy SalvadoriLola Climax56DNF0
NC22Mike  HarrisCooper Alfa Romeo31DNF0
NC6John SurteesLola Climax26DNF0
NC2Trevor  TaylorLotus Climax11DNF0

1969

Allan McNish was born in Dumfries, Scotland. Though initially poised for a Formula 1 career, McNish excelled in sports car racing, claiming two American Le Mans Series championships and two Le Mans 24 Hour victories. He joined F1 in 2002 with Toyota but was replaced after a challenging season. His F1 career is marked by surviving a major crash at Suzuka. The accident at the 130R corner while practising for Toyota’s home race, the 2002 Japanese Grand Prix. In 2003 he was a test driver for Renault, also doing a little TV work for ITV, but the next year he returned to his successful sports car racing career, winning the 12 Hours of Sebring.

1988

British racer Mike Beuttler, a talented F3 driver, died in the USA due to AIDS complications. Beuttler competed in F1 from 1971, driving a non-works March funded by stockbroker friends, with a best result of seventh at the 1973 Spanish Grand Prix.

2013

On 29 December 2013, Formula 1 legend and seven-time champion Michael Schumacher suffered a severe head injury while skiing in the French Alps. The accident occurred when Schumacher fell and struck his head on a rock despite wearing a helmet. He was airlifted to a nearby hospital and underwent multiple surgeries to address life-threatening brain trauma. Schumacher was placed in a medically induced coma for months, sparking global concern and widespread media coverage. His recovery has remained private, with limited updates shared by his family. While his condition has stabilised, Schumacher continues extensive rehabilitation and long-term care.

F1 Driver Birthdays 29 December

BirthdayF1 Driver
29 December 1916Tony Bonadies
29 December 1917David Hampshire
29 December 1925Jay Chamberlain
29 December 1969Allan McNish

F1 Driver Deaths 29 December

DeathF1 Driver
29 December 1982Max de Terra
29 December 1988Mike Beuttler

F1 Champion 29 December

DateDriver/Team
29 December 1962Graham Hill
29 December 1962BRM

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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 having followed the sports 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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