The following list was derived from a panel of international fans and experts, including three-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Jackie Stewart. Here are the 10 greatest and most historic motorsport moments that captivated fans.
10. 1957 German GP
On August 4, 1957, Argentine racing driver Juan Manuel Fangio won the 22-lap Formula One motor race, the 1957 German Grand Prix, at the 14.2-mile Nürburgring. After a bad pit stop, Fangio resumed nearly a minute behind to overtake the Ferraris of Britons Hawthorn and Peter Collins, who were running non-stop.
9. 1969 Italian GP
On September 7, 1969, the Formula One motor race at Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Italy, resulted in one of the closest 1-2-3-4 finishes in Formula One history. There were 14 lead changes at various points in the 68-lap, 3.5-mile course. Scottish racing driver Jackie Stewart pulled off a photo-finish victory with a speed of 147 mph.
8. 1992 Silverstone BTCC Finale
The first race of the 1992 British Touring Car Championship series started and ended at Silverstone, Northamptonshire, UK. In the opener, John Cleland dominated and not only took the victory but also set a new lap record. The series was marred by controversy between Cleland and Steve Soper. Tim Harvey won the championship despite a fourth-place finish in the finale.
7. 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans
From June 15-19, 2016, this 24-hour automobile endurance racing event was held at the Circuit de la Sarthe, near Le Mans, France. In the dying minutes, a faltering engine stripped the victory from Japanese driver Kazuki Nakajima, who had led in his Toyota TS050 HYBRID. Instead, the victory was claimed by Swiss driver Neel Jani in his Porsche 919 Hybrid.
6. 1987 British GP
On July 12, 1987, at Silverstone in the UK, British driver Nigel Mansell, driving a Williams-Honda, was victorious in one of the most memorable Formula One performances ever. With 25 laps remaining, Mansell was 30 seconds behind his Williams-Honda teammate Nelson Piquet. Mansell eventually overtook Piquet on lap 63 of 65.
5. 1955 Mille Miglia
This perilous 992.3-mile race was held on April 30-May 1, 1955, on entirely public roads around Italy, from Brescia to Rome and back again. The performance of Mercedes-Benz factory driver Stirling Moss and his navigator Denis Jenkinson on the Mille Miglia is one for the ages. They finished 32 minutes ahead of their second-placed teammate, Juan Manuel Fangio.
4. 2008 Brazilian GP
This legendary Formula One race was held on November 2, 2008, at Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Interlagos, in São Paulo, Brazil. Ferrari driver Felipe Massa started the 71-lap race and season finale seven points behind British driver Lewis Hamilton. Massa started at the pole position, put in the fastest lap, won the race, and finished third in the series.
3. 1968 German GP
Many cite this contest as the most significant wet-weather victory in Formula One history. It was held on August 4, 1968, at the Nürburgring, West Germany. Driving for Matra-Ford, British driver Jackie Stewart snagged the fastest lap and took the victory. Stuart dealt with extraordinarily wet and foggy conditions, as well as driving with a broken wrist.
2. 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans
This legendary race was held on June 18-19, 1966. The big story was Ford’s ambition to defeat Ferrari and conquer Le Mans, which inspired the 2019 film Ford v Ferrari. Four of Ford’s GT40s failed by the wee hours. Nonetheless, Ford finished 1st and 2nd with its FMC/Shelby American GT40 and 3rd with its FMC/Holman & Moody GT40.
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1. 1995 RAC Rally
The 1995 World Rally Championship season was the 23rd season of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) World Rally Championship (WRC) and consisted of 8 rallies. The big story was Britain’s first victory in this series. Scottish driver Colin McRae piloted his Subaru Impreza 555, ahead of team-mate Carlos Sainz to give the manufacturer’s title to Subaru.
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