This episode takes us deep into the forests of the Nürburgring for a Grand Prix that marked the end of an era. We relive Jacky Ickx’s fearless charge to victory in the final Formula 1 race on the full-length Nordschleife — a triumph overshadowed by the tragic death of Gerhard Mitter during practice.

We also pay tribute to Peter Collins, the gifted British star who lost his life at the same track a decade earlier. We rewind to 1952, when Alberto Ascari sealed Ferrari’s first world title with a commanding win at the Nürburgring. And we fast forward to 2008, where Heikki Kovalainen became F1’s 100th race winner after heartbreak struck Felipe Massa in the closing laps of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

It’s a day that reveals both the glory and the cost of life at racing’s edge — a circuit that crowned champions and claimed lives.

Cover photo: MitterG-BMW-F2-1969-08-01 by Lothar Spurzem under CC BY-SA 2.0 DE

Music by #Mubert Music Rendering

From the twisting tarmac of the Nürburgring to the flat-out fury of Hockenheim — and even the high-speed straights of Berlin’s AVUS — the German Grand Prix has long been a proving ground for Formula One’s finest. In this episode of Chequered Past, we revisit five landmark German Grands Prix that took place on August 2nd and celebrate the champions who tamed them.

We begin in 1953, where Alberto Ascari sealed his second world title on a record-breaking Nürburgring grid. In 1959, it was Tony Brooks who mastered the treacherous AVUS autobahn circuit with a dominating drive for Ferrari. The 1964 race saw John Surtees win at the ‘Ring under the shadow of tragedy, while Jochen Rindt’s 1970 triumph came as the race moved to Hockenheim in the name of safety. And finally, Nelson Piquet delivered a turbocharged victory in 1981 that helped launch his first world title bid.

These were The Champions That Conquered Germany — and their stories reflect both the evolution of Formula One and the enduring test of driving excellence on German soil.

Cover image: © Sportmusem Berlin & Heinrich von der Becke ; Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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On this day in motorsport history, Formula 1 faced fire, loss, and redemption.

In this episode, we revisit the 1976 German Grand Prix — the day Niki Lauda’s horrifying crash at the Nürburgring Nordschleife didn’t just nearly cost him his life, but helped push Formula 1 toward a safer future.

We remember Patrick Depailler, the charismatic French driver who tragically lost his life testing at Hockenheim on the same date in 1980. We look back at Jim Clark’s commanding 1965 win on the fearsome Nürburgring — a masterclass in control and courage — and fast-forward to the chaos of the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, where Esteban Ocon claimed a stunning maiden victory amid mayhem and strategy twists.

This is a story of circuits that pushed limits, drivers who gave everything, and the moments that reshaped the sport forever.

Cover image: LaudaNiki19760731Ferrari312T2 by Lothar Spurzem under CC BY-SA 2.0 DE

Music by #Mubert Music Rendering

On this day in 1994, the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim delivered high-speed drama, mechanical attrition, and a pitlane fireball that intensified the storm of suspicion surrounding Benetton. With Michael Schumacher retiring and Gerhard Berger taking a long-awaited win for Ferrari, the race was another flashpoint in a season already fraught with controversy. We revisit the blaze that engulfed Jos Verstappen’s car and the scandal that followed, alongside Ligier’s remarkable double podium and a chaotic opening lap that wiped out nearly half the field.

We also mark the birthday of the much-missed Justin Wilson — the gentle giant of motorsport — and travel back to 1977, where Niki Lauda completed a powerful comeback at Hockenheim while Hans Heyer etched his name into F1 folklore for all the wrong reasons.

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Three German Grands Prix. One unforgettable date.

In this episode of Chequered Past, we revisit July 30 through three remarkable races across three decades. The headline story is Rubens Barrichello’s emotional breakthrough at Hockenheim in 2000 — a race defined by chaos, courage, and a comeback from 18th on the grid to the top step of the podium.

We also turn back to 1978, where Mario Andretti looked set for another dominant Lotus win, only for gearbox failure and a charging Jody Scheckter to shake up the order. And we close at the Nürburgring in 1972, where Jacky Ickx delivered a flawless Grand Chelem to remind the world — and Ferrari — of his mastery in the Eifel forest.

From rain-soaked miracles to mechanical heartbreak and moments of absolute control, this is the story of The Chaos That Crowned a Hero.

Cover image: Rubens Barrichello 2000 Belgian by ozz13x under CC BY 2.0

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In this powerful episode of Chequered Past, we revisit the 1973 Dutch Grand Prix — a race overshadowed by tragedy and defined by one man’s extraordinary bravery. As Roger Williamson’s car burst into flames, David Purley stopped mid-race and launched a desperate solo rescue attempt that would etch his name into motorsport history.

We also celebrate the birthday of Fernando Alonso, the relentless two-time World Champion who continues to defy time and expectation, and look back at the drama-filled 2001 German Grand Prix, where BMW’s home race brought triumph for Ralf Schumacher and heartbreak for Juan Pablo Montoya.

A story of courage, legacy, and unforgettable moments — from racing’s rich and chequered past.

Music by #Mubert Music Rendering

On July 28, Chequered Past revisits four defining moments from motorsport history. We begin in 2002, as Michael Schumacher delivers a dominant home victory at Hockenheim, sealing Ferrari’s supremacy in one of Formula One’s most one-sided seasons.

Next, we remember Luigi Musso, the talented Italian driver whose life and career were cut tragically short. We then turn to 1935, where Tazio Nuvolari shocked the German crowd—and the Nazi establishment—with an audacious underdog win at the Nürburgring. Finally, we head to 1991, where Nigel Mansell led a Williams 1–2 at Hockenheim and reignited his title challenge, while the Senna–Prost rivalry boiled over once again.

It’s a day of dominance, defiance, and deep emotion—from racing’s rich and chequered past.

Cover photo: Mschumacher 2002 by Mathieu Felten licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Music by #Mubert Music Rendering

On this day in Formula 1 history, Gerhard Berger made a stunning return to the grid at the 1997 German Grand Prix — and stole the spotlight with a storybook win at Hockenheim.

We revisit that emotional victory, reflect on the career of journeyman French racer Philippe Alliot, and relive the chaos and controversy of the 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix, where Daniel Ricciardo came charging through in a race defined by drama, strategy, and inter-team fireworks.

Cover Art uses work by Royal Broil and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Music by #Mubert Music Rendering