What happened on this day, February 26 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1908
Jean-Pierre Wimille emerged as a well-known figure in post-war auto racing and a hero of the French Resistance. His potential in the burgeoning Formula One World Championship was cut short by his tragic death in 1949 during a practice session for the Argentine Grand Prix. He had an illustrious career with victories at the Swiss and Belgian GPs in 1947 and the French and Italian GPs in 1948, dominating that season. His fatal crash was reportedly caused by either a blinding shaft of sunlight or an attempt to avoid a dog, marking a sad end to his career as he wore a crash helmet for the first time.
1917
Robert La Caze, the only Formula 1 driver to race under the Moroccan flag. He was born on this day, 26th February 1917, in Paris, but held Moroccan citizenship. He ventured into motorsport through rallies across North Africa, leading to his participation in the 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix as a privateer. Driving a Formula 2 spec Cooper T45, he finished 14th after starting 23rd.
Beyond racing, La Caze ran a garage in Marrakech and was celebrated as a national skiing champion. He was the oldest living World Championship driver after the death of Paul Pietsch in May 2012 until his own death in July 2015.
1955
Rupert Keegan was born on this day, 26th February 1955. A driver whose career captured both the grit and glamour of 1970s Formula One. Keegan rose rapidly through the junior ranks, clinching the 1976 British Formula 3 Championship — a triumph that propelled him onto the world stage. He made his F1 debut on 8 May 1977 and went on to compete in 37 Grand Prix. Though he never scored a championship point, he achieved his best finish with a determined seventh place at the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix in a Hesketh.
Keegan drove for Hesketh and Surtees during his early F1 seasons, later returning with RAM in a Williams FW07B and making further appearances with March. Away from the main championship spotlight, he found greater success by winning the 1979 Aurora Formula One Championship. After his F1 career, he raced in America in CART and competed in endurance events before moving into business and working as a racing instructor. Keegan died on 23 September 2024 in Portoferraio after a long battle with cancer, aged 69.
2007
On this day, 26th February 2007, Honda unveiled its “Earth Dreams” livery for the RA107 car to a mixed reception. The novel livery featured a world map instead of traditional sponsor logos, aligning with an initiative to promote environmental awareness.
The management proposed a new sponsorship model in which companies could support environmental charities instead of direct advertising, in exchange for recognition on the team’s website. However, scepticism arose, with critics pointing to Formula 1’s longstanding carbon neutrality since 1997 through the FIA-supported Scolel Te project in South America.
The car underperformed, the livery was perceived as confusing, and by 2009, Honda had exited Formula 1.
2009
After initially threatening a strike, F1 drivers ultimately agreed to an increase in their Superlicence fees. The controversy began in 2008 when the cost of a basic license surged from €1,690 to €10,000, and the fee per point from the previous season rose dramatically from €447 to €2,000. The intention was to leverage the earnings of the highest-paid drivers to enhance safety standards. Despite strong resistance and warnings from the Grand Prix Drivers Association about underestimating driver solidarity, the issue was eventually not chased further.
2009
The development of the F1-X theme park in Dubai was postponed due to the financial crisis, which restricted bank funding. The park, estimated to cost $360 million, is designed to offer a variety of Formula 1-themed attractions and experiences. Despite the delay, plans were changed to aim for a 2010 opening, reflecting the project’s continued promise amid economic challenges.
F1 Driver Birthdays 26 February
| Birthday | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 26 February 1917 | Robert La Caze (d. 2015) Appeared in the 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix as an F2 Driver to increase F1 Grid. |
| 26 February 1955 | Rupert Keegan (d. 2024) |
F1 Driver Deaths 26 February
| Death | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 26 February 1970 | Milt Fankhauser (b. 1915) |
| 26 February 1998 | Russ Congdon (b. 1924) |
| 26 February 2001 | Duke Nalon (b. 1913) |
| 26 February 2001 | Johnny Fedricks (b. 1925) |
| 26 February 2003 | Christian Goethals (b. 1928) Appeared in the 1958 German Grand Prix as an F2 Driver to increase F1 Grid. |
| 26 February 2022 | Danny Ongais (b. 1942) |
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