What happened on this day, June 28 in Formula 1 history? Find out interesting facts and stories about Formula 1 on this day.
1960
Juan Jover was one of the pioneering figures of Spanish motorsport — a versatile racer who competed across Grand Prix racing, endurance events and hillclimbs during the dangerous and fast-evolving post-war era of European motorsport.
Juan Jover
F1 Debut 1951 Spanish Grand Prix
Current/Last Team Scuderia Milano
Alongside Paco Godia, he earned his place in F1 history as one of the first Spaniards ever to compete in Formula One, when Jover stepped onto the Formula One stage at the 1951 Spanish Grand Prix. He died on this day, June 28, 1960, in a road accident near Sitges in Catalonia. His convertible reportedly left the road and plunged off a cliff, bringing an end to the life of one of Spain’s earliest international racing stars.
1964
Dan Gurney secured Brabham’s first championship victory at the 1964 French Grand Prix in Rouen. Team owner Jack Brabham also drove for the team and finished third behind Graham Hill in a BRM.
The race featured an intense fight for the lead between Jim Clark and Gurney, which concluded on lap 31 when Clark’s engine failed, paving the way for Gurney’s relatively unchallenged finish. Hill showed promise in the early laps before a spin set him back, yet he managed to recover and secure second place.
Meanwhile, Mike Hailwood ended up in eighth place. This was impressive, considering he had won the Dutch TT motorcycle race at Assen just the day before and had driven back to Rouen through the night for the Grand Prix due to an airline strike.
1964 French Grand Prix Race Results
| Pos | No | Driver | Car | Laps | Time/retired | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | Dan Gurney | Brabham Climax | 57 | 2:07:49.100 | 9 |
| 2 | 8 | Graham Hill | BRM | 57 | +24.100s | 6 |
| 3 | 20 | Jack Brabham | Brabham Climax | 57 | +24.900s | 4 |
| 4 | 4 | Peter Arundell | Lotus Climax | 57 | +70.600s | 3 |
| 5 | 10 | Richie Ginther | BRM | 57 | +132.100s | 2 |
| 6 | 12 | Bruce McLaren | Cooper Climax | 56 | +1 lap | 1 |
| 7 | 14 | Phil Hill | Cooper Climax | 56 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 8 | 6 | Mike Hailwood | Lotus BRM | 56 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 9 | 26 | Lorenzo Bandini | Ferrari | 55 | +2 laps | 0 |
| 10 | 34 | Chris Amon | Lotus BRM | 53 | +4 laps | 0 |
| 11 | 28 | Maurice Trintignant | BRM | 52 | +5 laps | 0 |
| 12 | 19 | Bob Anderson | Brabham Climax | 50 | +7 laps | 0 |
| NC | 16 | Innes Ireland | BRP BRM | 31 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 2 | Jim Clark | Lotus Climax | 31 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 24 | John Surtees | Ferrari | 6 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 18 | Trevor Taylor | BRP BRM | 6 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 30 | Jo Siffert | Brabham BRM | 4 | DNF | 0 |
1998
The 1998 French Grand Prix was a pivotal moment in the season, with Ferrari, led by Michael Schumacher, beginning to mount a challenge against McLaren and Mika Hakkinen. Despite McLaren’s dominance in winning five of the season’s first seven races, Ferrari made considerable strides with their car during a three-week break and two test sessions.
Hakkinen had secured pole position at Magny Cours, but Schumacher and Eddie Irvine overtook him at the start. Irvine effectively shielded Schumacher, allowing him to establish a lead, although Hakkinen eventually managed to pass him. Nonetheless, Hakkinen’s hold on second place was short-lived, as he soon spun out and fell to fourth place. McLaren driver David Coulthard couldn’t help in the sister McLaren when fuel hose issues affected his race during his pit stops, ultimately finishing sixth. Irvine finished second, with Finn Hakkinen climbing back to third.
Schumacher secured three more victories that season, but it was Hakkinen who clinched the 1998 Championship with four more wins of his own.
1998 French Grand Prix Race Results
| Pos | No | Driver | Car | Laps | Time/retired | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | 71 | 1:34:45.026 | 10 |
| 2 | 4 | Eddie Irvine | Ferrari | 71 | +19.575s | 6 |
| 3 | 8 | Mika Hakkinen | McLaren Mercedes | 71 | +19.747s | 4 |
| 4 | 1 | Jacques Villeneuve | Williams Mecachrome | 71 | +66.965s | 3 |
| 5 | 6 | Alexander Wurz | Benetton Playlife | 70 | +1 lap | 2 |
| 6 | 7 | David Coulthard | McLaren Mercedes | 70 | +1 lap | 1 |
| 7 | 14 | Jean Alesi | Sauber Petronas | 70 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 8 | 15 | Johnny Herbert | Sauber Petronas | 70 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 9 | 5 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Benetton Playlife | 70 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 10 | 18 | Rubens Barrichello | Stewart Ford | 69 | +2 laps | 0 |
| 11 | 11 | Olivier Panis | Prost Peugeot | 69 | +2 laps | 0 |
| 12 | 19 | Jos Verstappen | Stewart Ford | 69 | +2 laps | 0 |
| 13 | 17 | Mika Salo | Arrows | 69 | +2 laps | 0 |
| 14 | 16 | Pedro Diniz | Arrows | 69 | +2 laps | 0 |
| 15 | 2 | Heinz-Harald Frentzen | Williams Mecachrome | 68 | DNF | 0 |
| 16 | 10 | Ralf Schumacher | Jordan Mugen Honda | 68 | +3 laps | 0 |
| 17 | 22 | Shinji Nakano | Minardi Ford | 65 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 21 | Toranosuke Takagi | Tyrrell Ford | 60 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 12 | Jarno Trulli | Prost Peugeot | 55 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 23 | Esteban Tuero | Minardi Ford | 41 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 9 | Damon Hill | Jordan Mugen Honda | 19 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 20 | Ricardo Rosset | Tyrrell Ford | 16 | DNF | 0 |
2002
In a strategic financial move, the Italian banking giant Mediobank acquired a 34% stake in Ferrari from FIAT, which was experiencing financial difficulties at the time, for $768 million.
Over the following years, Mediobank gradually divested this stake to various other banks. By 2005, much of the 34% had changed hands, leaving FIAT with a 56% share and Piero Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari’s sole surviving son, with 10%.
Many analysts initially believed Mediobank had paid too much; however, as the shares were sold, Ferrari’s market valuation remained stable at approximately $2.25 billion. This value likely increased when Ferrari divested its Maserati brand to Alfa Romeo during the same period.
2005
One week after withdrawing its tyres due to safety concerns at the 2005 US Grand Prix, Michelin announced its decision to refund all spectators at Indianapolis and provide 20,000 complimentary tickets for the following year’s event. This gesture was made a day before the teams supplied by Michelin were to face charges in Paris for tarnishing the sport’s reputation.
Michelin commented, “One week after the Indianapolis Grand Prix, Michelin wishes to make a sincere gesture of goodwill towards the people present at the GP, a group whose passion for F1 is encouraging in the development of this sport in the United States.”
2007
Robert Kubica, on this day, expressed scepticism regarding claims that his life had been miraculously saved by the late Pope John Paul II.
Earlier in the year, Kubica had survived a severe crash at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, leading a Polish news agency to suggest that his survival contributed to the miracle evidence needed in the beatification process of John Paul II.
Despite his roots in Krakow, the same city as the late pope, and often racing with the pontiff’s name on his helmet, Kubica was puzzled by the reports: “I know nothing about this. In Poland there are many things that are reported that are not true. I don’t know by whom I was saved, I don’t know if I was saved by someone. I’m here in one piece so I think that is very positive.”
The original report originated from a Church source seeking to gather sufficient miracle evidence to saint John Paul II.
2020
The 2020 French Grand Prix, initially scheduled for June 28 at Circuit Paul Ricard, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The French government’s extension of restrictions on major events until mid-July and ongoing travel limitations made it impossible to hold the race as planned. This cancellation was the tenth Formula One race affected by the pandemic in the 2020 F1 World Championship.
Eric Boullier, Managing Director of the GIP Grand Prix de France—Le Castellet, supported the government’s decision and focused on preparing for the 2021 event. Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey also backed the cancellation and looked forward to returning to Circuit Paul Ricard in the future.
2026
Formula 1’s European summer stretch rolled on as the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix brought the paddock to one of the sport’s most scenic and unforgiving venues. Nestled among the rolling Styrian hills, the Red Bull Ring provided a spectacular backdrop for Round 8 of the 2026 F1 World Championship.
2026 Austrian Grand Prix race results
Results to follow…
F1 Driver Birthdays 28 June
| Birthday | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 28 June 1923 | Adolfo Schwelm-Cruz (d. 2012) |
| 28 June 1991 | Will Stevens |
F1 Driver Deaths 28 June
| Death | F1 Driver |
|---|---|
| 28 June 1960 | Juan Jover (b. 1903) |
| 28 June 1992 | Peter Hirt (b. 1910) |
| 28 June 2016 | Andre Guelfi (b. 1919) |
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