What was the F1 news on your birthday?

6th March 2009, 8:0025th October 2011, 11:58 | Written by Keith Collantine

Autosport November 5th, 1981 (click to enlarge)

Yesterday F1 Fanatic celebrated its fourth brithday.

By sheer coincidence a couple of days ago I came across the issue of Autosport that was printed on my own birthday: November 5th, 1981 (see picture).

This got me thinking – can we find out what the big F1 news was on the day (or week) of all our birthdays?

So, post your birth date in the comments below and I’ll do my best to rummage through the stacks of Autosports, Motorsports and other motor racing magazines I have piled up to find out what was going on in the F1 world on that day…

An Autosport cover without F1 on it would be unthinkable these days – but on November 5th, 1981 the lead story was the Ivory Coast rally.

But the Formula Ford Festival is mentioned at the bottom of the cover – it was won by Tommy Byrne, a rival of Ayrton Senna. Byrne went on to have a brief F1 career and you can read more of his story in the excellent book “Crashed and Byrned” which came out last year.

Autosport November 5th, 1981, page two (click to enlarge)

There was big news in the F1 world that week though. Carlos Reutemann, who had lost the 1981 world championship to Nelson Piquet in the last round of the season at Las Vegas, announced he was leaving F1. This left Williams with no drivers at all, as Alan Jones had already announced his retirement. Opposite page two was a story about Keke Rosberg leaving the tail-end team Fittipaldi.

Reutemann started the 1982 season with Williams but left abruptly, leaving them with Rosberg, who went on to win the title. On the same page is a story about John Watson turning down a drive with the team for 1982 – Watson remained at Mclaren and fought Rosberg for the title until the final round.

In other F1 news that day, Riccardo Patrese was finally cleared of wrongdoing in the accident that had claimed Ronnie Peterson’s life at Monza in 1978. Race starter Gianni Restelli was also foung not guilty by a court in Milan.

What was the F1 news on your birthday?

Post your birth date below and we’ll see if F1 Fanatic readers can find out what the F1 news was on the day you were born.

Read more: F1 Fanatic is four!

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Keith Collantine

Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...
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1,072 comments on “What was the F1 news on your birthday?”

Pete Walker
6th March 2009, 10:39

My birth date is May 24th 1984. Its a nice birthday to have actually, as every once in a while I get a birthday Monaco GP (1998, this season). :)
1. sumedh
  7th March 2009, 7:55
  
  Hey; I am born 1 day and 3 years later.
  25th May 1987.
  
  And Monaco GP was on 25th in 2008; not 24th :P
  
  Its cool to have a birthday in the holidays, I feel. I have celebrated mine in atleast 10 different cities so far ( out of 22).
  1. Gary Regan
    27th June 2021, 9:39
    
    My birthday just passed, June 26 1961
2. driftin
  3rd June 2011, 0:33
  
  That’s the EXACT date of my birthday!
3. katmen (@katmen)
  19th May 2017, 6:26
  
  hello my day is 24th May 1978 , great bday mate!
  1. Gemini (@gemini)
    6th December 2018, 7:34
    
    I’m kinda late to party but… 19th May 1988 (just like Kubica 88 number) i shall add.
    1. elchinero (@elchinero)
      30th May 2021, 12:04
      
      October 21, 1939
anirudh
6th March 2009, 10:44

30th Nov 1991
Smitty
6th March 2009, 10:49

6th February 1989
ukk
6th March 2009, 10:49

18th Sept 1975
Niki Lauda became World Champion a week before, I think
Kester
6th March 2009, 10:49

Friday 13th April 1984
Oliver
6th March 2009, 10:51

30th April 1973
ajokay
6th March 2009, 10:53

Jan 3rd 1985… 4 days before Lewis’s, in a hospital a few miles south of Stevenage.

I also share my birthday with Michael Schumacher, who would have been celebrating his 16th birthday.
1. Samarth
  21st December 2020, 8:38
  
  same here even me jan 3rd!!
SamS
6th March 2009, 10:59

10th January 1984 randomly the US and the vatican established full diplomatic relations. FACT. Need to get out more
1. ajokay
  6th March 2009, 11:09
  
  Just as well, otherwise there’d be a small crater in the middle of Rome by now.
2. Tom
  6th March 2009, 11:51
  
  The small crater would be an ideal place to build a new track for the Rome GP.
3. ukk
  6th March 2009, 12:47
  
  yep… the crater will make for a good oval ;-)
  1. Mike
    7th April 2010, 5:51
    
    Finally a new track with elevation changes….
Nefer
6th March 2009, 11:09

Oh everyone’s so young.

2nd August 1972
1. Speed Damon
  29th November 2010, 20:36
  
  Uh uh I must be youngest
  3rd December 1995
  1. Ell (@ell)
    1st May 2011, 14:41
    
    nope, 7 august 1998
    1. GoDaddyGuy27 (@godaddyguy27)
      19th July 2013, 16:49
      
      Nope 2000
    2. GoDaddyGuy27 (@godaddyguy27)
      19th July 2013, 16:51
      
      February 17th
    3. Akshat
      4th January 2015, 5:19
      
      4 Jan 1999
2. Yadav
  15th May 2014, 20:06
  
  6 jan 2000
3. FlipWilson (@floppywatson)
  29th July 2017, 0:49
  
  Yea but I’ve realized it is a gift…age….better than not getting older. August 27, 1971. Spa baby.
4. Asanator (@asanator)
  29th May 2020, 20:43
  
  2nd August 1973
Ted Tofield
6th March 2009, 11:14

Like Pete I get the occasional Monaco GP or even Indy 500

30th May 1974

Also: Number-one song in the charts today
In the USA:
“The Streak” by Ray Stevens

hahahahaha
1. Cole
  12th December 2010, 2:50
  
  Same here!
  May 30th, 1970 though!
Christian Briddon
6th March 2009, 11:15

12th November 1969.

Am I the oldest person here? I don’t feel that old. :-)

I never get a GP on my birthday but looking at this years calendar we seem to be getting closer!!
1. Atomicwolf
  9th January 2014, 20:45
  
  No, I’m older,sorry to say. 18th March 1960. There has been f1 GP’s on my birthday but I’ve never seen them live, all offers of 2tickets for my wife and I to see the British GP would be gratefully recieved, thank you, lol.
2. colin
  3rd December 2017, 15:47
  
  no was thinking everybody a bit young too, me
  
  17 nov 1957
qazuhb
6th March 2009, 11:22

20th January 1965. One of the eldest here it seems! The great Jim Clark had won the South African Grand Prix on the first day of January, in his bid to win his second championship, which he would finally get with a perfect score of 54 points (9 points for each victory, only the best six round results could be retained).
1. Shirleen Riffe
  4th March 2012, 0:09
  
  I might have the honors. 19 May 1959
  1. Ric Johnson (@ricj)
    10th August 2014, 23:55
    
    Nope, August 17, 1951 here. Been an F1 fan since 1961 when I discovered Road & Track magazine and followed Phil Hill’s championship.
2. Daniel Martinez (@danielito)
  15th January 2013, 12:22
  
  I’m close, 16th january 1968
Mark
6th March 2009, 11:28

September 12th 1988. I always get either Monza or spa around then. I like it as they are the best tracks on the calander (until they get replaced by some random arab race).
1. Frieda (@friedatwo)
  27th May 2014, 7:49
  
  Well, I got the same day but a few years older. 1975. I’m hoping next year they have the Italian GP on the 10-12 Sept so I can celibrate my 40th (eeck) at the race…
Matt Aitch
6th March 2009, 11:33

25th November, 1969! Pah, the F1 driver’s these days…they don’t know they’re born! Hay bails for barriers, 4 wheels off the ground… and that was just the Silverstone car park!
El Gordo
6th March 2009, 11:33

27 April 1975… cor I’m old and didn’t know it. :-)
1. PaulT
  16th February 2011, 23:03
  
  22 July 1951! Is anyone older than that?!!
  1. dot_com (@dot_com)
    13th September 2012, 0:34
    
    Absolutely nobody!!
    1. Tinakori Road (@tinakori-road)
      26th January 2014, 15:56
      
      You are in error. My birthday is March 8, 1951, plus I am a 1973 Tasman Championship winning mechanic.
      1. Deb Trom
        15th May 2017, 21:00
        
        June 12, 1950 here :):)
  2. Deb Trom
    15th May 2017, 20:59
    
    June 12, 1950 here :):)
  3. Mary Yait
    30th August 2017, 0:39
    
    Yes just a bit younger but an old Lady never gives full details but enjoy F1.
  4. ADUB SMALLBLOCK (@waptraveler)
    9th February 2020, 15:03
    
    March 20, 1948. Been following F1 since the 60s!
SoLiD
6th March 2009, 11:40

16 march 1984
(very soon :p)

The past years I got a nice gift as the first race weekend of the year :D
1. anirudh
  6th March 2009, 12:15
  
  happy birthday in advance
Tirante
6th March 2009, 11:41

Mine…. Dan Gurney won at Brands Hatch, driving an Eagle-Weslake T1G ‘102. Ickx, Brabham and Bruce (McLaren) were there also…

Oldest here, by the moment. ;-)
Tirante
6th March 2009, 11:43

Nah… qazuhb is older than me… I feel a big relief…
kaushal
6th March 2009, 11:56

Hey i am youngest here.except smitty.. yuppy
my birthday on 2nd march 1985. Just celebrated few days back.
Hey keith,tell me what happened in F1 on my birthday.
Rachel
6th March 2009, 12:02

22nd November 1982.
England won the Rugby World Cup on my 21st Brthday – the best present ever – not sure F1 can produce something that spectacular, but I’d be happy to be surprised. Although a late november GP would be fab, it might just extend the season too far.
1. Clare msj
  6th March 2009, 14:09
  
  Oooh same day as mine – except mine is 1985, England won the Rugby World Cup on my 18th
2. Nefer
  6th March 2009, 14:59
  
  Johnny Wilkinson won the rugby world cup for England. Most scores were divisible by 3… but that’s a debate for another day and another website. :-)
3. Richard
  6th March 2009, 16:07
  
  Go 22nd November!! Albeit 1991 but that rugby match was an awesome b-day pressie for me too
Sush Meerkat
6th March 2009, 12:06

5th May 1981
Andrew
6th March 2009, 12:07

Hmm, well good luck finding F1 news on 24th December 1977.
1. Scott Joslin
  6th March 2009, 16:03
  
  Ditto that, Mine is December 27 1979, not much racing then!
Hezla
6th March 2009, 12:10

Birthdate 28.6.1966. Started follow F1 in the 80’s
Joe Jones
6th March 2009, 12:12

Hey my birthdate is 01/11/1989 would be cool to know what the news was for me :P
1. Nefer
  6th March 2009, 15:01
  
  Blimey… that’s only a week before the Berlin wall fell… I remember that week!!
anirudh
6th March 2009, 12:18

Keith, how bout putting a brithday booth on the site, wishing F1F users on their birthdays…
1. Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
  7th March 2009, 12:55
  
  Not a bad idea! Will look into how I could do it…
Mark Stevenson
6th March 2009, 12:35

Nov 30th, 1984 for me Keith.
1. anirudh
  6th March 2009, 17:27
  
  same birthday………
Rick DeNatale
6th March 2009, 12:48

You are all kids!

I was born on December 8, in the same year Fangio won his first driving title.

Only two seasons and 15 Formula One Grands Prix had taken place by the day I was born.
1. koper
  6th March 2009, 22:11
  
  I was born the same day, same month, like Jim Morrison ;)
  But I am 31 years youger than you, Rick DeNatale.
  
  Or say it other way – I am almost 2 years (except one day), older than Robert Kubica.
sparky
6th March 2009, 12:48

I’m 13th Feb 1979!

Cheers
Fer no.65
6th March 2009, 12:50

October 15th, 1989 :P

probably you’ll find some championship being decided by the time
gaz
6th March 2009, 12:56

21st march 1978

aryton senna was also born on 21st march in 1960

the british formula one season in 1978 started on 24th march……..
Lustigson
6th March 2009, 13:10

I was born on May 26th, 1977, 4 days after that year’s Monaco GP. But I wouldn’t know where to start looking for motor sport news from that exact day…
Tom
6th March 2009, 13:12

I’m afraid I’m snatching the title of youngest here.
15th Feb 1990. A month before the US Grand Prix according to Wikipedia.
1. Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
  7th March 2009, 12:58
  
  Afraid Richard a bit further up was born in ’91…
  1. João Pedro CQ
    18th January 2010, 10:56
    
    And was born in ’96….
    1. Chris
      16th February 2010, 17:37
      
      My date of birth: 29th May 1971
      
      My guess is a Monaco GP fact.
Clive
6th March 2009, 13:17

You really know how to hurt a guy, Keith – I am older than F1…

.oO(I wonder if Autosport existed in 1948)
Daniel
6th March 2009, 13:24

November 30 1994. Dont know much what happened, but know it was the year of Senna’s passing, Schumachers first championship and speeds were greatly reduced by stupid chicanes everywhere.
1. anirudh
  6th March 2009, 16:49
  
  hey man we share same birthday although im 3 years older than you!
Les
6th March 2009, 13:30

March 8th 1981, your older than me Keith!
1. Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
  7th March 2009, 13:00
  
  Actually, no, I’m eight months younger!
  
  How do I do a smiley with the tongue sticking out… :-p
2. Les
  7th March 2009, 17:05
  
  Doh I got it wrong. A kind of Murry-esque moment for there then!
Glen
6th March 2009, 13:33

Friday 13th January, 1984. Not usually a busy time for F1 news…
1. Ace
  7th January 2010, 3:13
  
  13th January for me too. :)
  1976.
TommyB
6th March 2009, 13:41

It was my birthday yesterday too! :) 20th
Phil G.
6th March 2009, 13:49

Let’s try: 19th july 1989.
1. Tom L
  31st December 2009, 14:47
  
  That’s mine too! :D
Selidor
6th March 2009, 14:44

24th september 1989. Gehard Berger won in Portugal according to F1.com
1. Christiam
  7th January 2010, 1:17
  
  24th September 1980!!!
  
  24th September 1995 David Coulthard won his first F1 Grand Prix in Portugal.
Romulo Shortback
6th March 2009, 15:00

My turn: 9th january 1985!
1. ajokay
  6th March 2009, 15:46
  
  We’re almost nearly birthday buddies!
Alexandre Carvalho
6th March 2009, 15:23

October 7th, 1972

A month after Emerson Fittipaldi won his first World Championship. :-)
Alexandre Carvalho
6th March 2009, 15:24

ONE month, I mean.
cwojdek
6th March 2009, 15:36

22nd of September 1974 :)
Amy
6th March 2009, 15:41

I was born during the Spanish GP Weekend 1986, on Saturday 12/4/86 to be precise. The news was probably Senna dominating everything, or the fact it was the first race weekend at Jerez!
1. Scott Joslin
  6th March 2009, 16:07
  
  Amy Classic race that, one of the closet race finishes ever!
Steve
6th March 2009, 15:50

17 FEB 1983

The Daytona 500 falls on my birthday every few years, but I really don’t follow NASCAR so I don’t get too excited about that.
Lou
6th March 2009, 15:52

My date of birth: 21 February 1956
In 1967, in glorious widescreen Cinerama, I saw the film “Grand Prix.” By that age I was already familiar with a few F1 driver names, by virtue of their participation in the Indianapolis 500. Among them were Jochen Rindt, Jim Clark, Dan Gurney, and Graham Hill.
I enjoy F1 very much, as I follow it very closely.
Lou
Andrew White
6th March 2009, 15:56

I think I’m the youngest here! 24th August 1993

That was 5 days before the Belgian GP, which was won by Damon Hill.

Last year I had the inaugural GP in Valencia on my birthday, shame the race was awful!
1. Andrew Smith
  7th March 2010, 10:39
  
  I’m second youngest here then.
  
  My birthday is 24th June 1998.
  
  I’m 2 months older than you.
  1. Andrew Smith
    8th March 2010, 17:52
    
    Sorry,
    
    It’s 24th June 1993 not 1998
    
    Sorry that was my mistake
Bastardo
6th March 2009, 15:58

Sebastien Bourdais was born on my birthday (or I was born on his birthday :). Funny thing is that my name is also Sebastien and the design of his helmet is almost the same as the one I designed about 13 years ago (I was a gokart racer). Coincidence or…? ;)
Adam Dennehey
6th March 2009, 16:06

Thanks for that my birthday’s Nov 5th 1987, so it’s good to see already something thats happened on the 5th, i’ll do my own research on my actual date of birth and what happens with F1, no doubt Senna and Prost will be near enough the headlines in that one
1. Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
  7th March 2009, 13:05
  
  You’re exactly six years younger than me, and born in the same year as my brother!
2. Vamla
  7th January 2010, 2:53
  
  I’m born on Nov 5 too! Of 1992 that is.
StrFerrari4Ever
6th March 2009, 16:15

wow i’m the youngest here 4th October 1995 :) good to see there’s alot of wisdom and knowledge though amongst us
1. Robert
  6th March 2009, 17:00
  
  Yeah im not the youngest!
2. ciaran
  31st December 2009, 22:16
  
  HA I’m younger 13th August 1996.
hamilton wc 09
6th March 2009, 16:17

22/3/1988
Dan M
6th March 2009, 16:20

Looks like you opened up a can of worms on this topic, Kieth.

Nice to see all the ’84 babies!

December 21 1984

Same as Samuel L Jackson?, thats the best I got… and we’re all going to die before I get to eat cake on 12/21/2012…. http://www.december212012.net/

Good luck.
Daniel
6th March 2009, 16:33

august 2, 1983
James B
6th March 2009, 16:36

I got the 25th September 1992, two days before Mansell won at Portugal.

But more importantly, Alonso won his first championship on the my birthday. Shame that I’m a Raikkonen fan. :P
cyanide
6th March 2009, 16:41

30 July 1987
TMFOX
6th March 2009, 16:46

27th January 1989
Robert
6th March 2009, 16:58

13th July 1994
Nico Savidge
6th March 2009, 17:33

April 2nd, 1991 – I share the day (though obviously not the year) with Jack Brabham, and the 1934 Monaco GP was on April 2nd
Michael Roberts
6th March 2009, 18:34

8th January 1985
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th March 2009, 18:38

Wow what a lot of responses! It’s going to take quite a while to find news stories for them all, but I’ll give it my best shot over the weekend. Keep the suggestions coming in…
1. SamS
  6th March 2009, 22:39
  
  you know when you wish you hadnt asked….!! great to see what ages log on to see your site though!
Paul
6th March 2009, 18:39

07 Nov 1987.

I know that my birthday has had a World Championship round or two, last in Adelaide in 1993.
The_Pope
6th March 2009, 18:49

Hi Keith – as you said, it could be quite a mountain of work.

How about “On this day…” where you clip various major events that happened 1 Year Ago, 2 Years Ago, 5 Years Ago etc bit like they do in the newspaper.

Though that still strikes me as a bunch of work just for trivia, and I for one would rather you spend your energy on yet more new material for this season than bits of trivia.

But if you’re researching 1978 for Gaz, check out 19th April ;)
1. Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
  7th March 2009, 13:07
  
  Will do, your holiness.
Striay
6th March 2009, 18:55

29th of october 1993 one of the youngest here i think, 12 days after Kimi Raikkonen’s b-day and 10 after Kovalinen’s also 2 days after Jenni Raikkonen’s b-day! see if anyone can find any more info on my b-day!
sas
6th March 2009, 19:08

7/8/92 mansells year and williams domination of f1.
TSJ
6th March 2009, 19:10

Sep. 12th 1988

Great initiative Keith. I hope you don’t get too swamped.

Cheers
D Winn
6th March 2009, 19:56

October 28th

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Keith Collantine

1,072 comments on “What was the F1 news on your birthday?”