Motorsports might not have a history that’s as long as football or volleyball. Still, in over a hundred years of existence, they had a lot of drama, controversies, successes, losses, and tragic experiences. Of course, some stories are more impressive than others, but there are enough to be shocked by or enjoy reading about.
Our article will cover some of those stories, mainly the most famous and influential ones. We will explain what happened, including the rises and downfalls and the legacy they left.
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Formula 1
Formula 1 is full of impressive stories. Some of the best drivers in the world compete in this sport, and the adrenaline-fueled high-speed races make some championships thrilling and impressive. In the following few sections, we will take a look at some of the most interesting stories in the world of F1.
The Life of Michael Schumacher
A legend of F1, Michael Schumacher was one of the most impressive drivers in the sport’s history. Having broken several records, such as the number of world championship titles, Schumacher is the person that every fan of F1 knows about. He won seven World Championships and holds numerous records, including the most wins in a single season and the most consecutive World Championships. Schumacher’s career spanned from 1991 to 2012, driving for Benetton, Ferrari, and Mercedes, with Ferrari having the longest period. He is known for his aggressive driving style and exceptional skill in harsh and wet conditions.
He retired in 2012 after spending more than 30 years in the sport. At the end of 2013, he had a skiing accident and suffered a severe brain injury. His condition after the crash wasn’t made known to the public since his estate keeps everything private.
The Death of Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna was a Brazilian racing driver widely considered one of the greatest Formula One champions ever. He won three World Championships and is known for his aggressive driving style and ability to work with challenging conditions. Senna’s career spanned from 1984 to 1994, driving for Toleman, Lotus, McLaren, and Williams. He tragically died in a fatal crash during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Senna is remembered for his incredible talent and his impact on Formula One. His death is probably the most famous in motorsports.
The Rise and Death of Bruce McLaren
Bruce McLaren was a New Zealand racing driver and founder of the McLaren Racing team. He was also a successful designer, engineer, and inventor. McLaren had a successful racing career in the 1960s, winning numerous races and championships. After retiring from racing, he founded the McLaren Racing team, which has since become one of the most successful teams in Formula One history. McLaren tragically died in a testing accident at Goodwood Circuit in 1970, but his legacy lives on through the McLaren Racing team. The team later merged with McLaren Group, an automotive producer that later became famous for manufacturing some of the fastest road cars.
Niki Lauda’s Rivalry with James Hunt
Niki Lauda had a successful F1 career, winning three world championship titles. But his career is most known for his rivalry with James Hunt, another powerful driver. What’s more interesting is that both were friends outside of the track. The rivalry lasted for around 6 years before both of them retired in 1979. The movie Rush by Ron Howard is based on their feud.
Niki Lauda is one of those on our list who had both a tragedy and a triumph in a short amount of time. This happened during the 1976 season. At the German Grand Prix, Lauda got into a horrific crash. Not only did he survive, he managed to get back into the sport, skipping only two races. He ended up being a runner-up for that season, with Hunt winning by just one point.
The Rise of Lewis Hamilton
Probably the most popular currently active F1 driver, Lewis Hamilton, has an impressive career. Starting racing in Formula 1 for the McLaren team in the 2007 season, he quickly rose to success. He has won seven World Championship titles, which makes him a record holder, tied with retired Michael Schumacher. What’s even more impressive is that four of them were consecutive. Hamilton is still well and active; he has the second-most expensive contract for any F1 driver and continues to be successful, even though he’s not the reigning champion now.
NASCAR
NASCAR was another popular autosport discipline with many impressive moments in its 75-year-old history. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting biographies, dramas, and stories about that sport.
Richard Petty’s Career
Richard Petty’s career lasted for over 30 years. He’s one of the sport’s living legends and is nicknamed the “King.” Being a second-generation driver, he’s the son of another multiple-world champion, Lee Petty. Richard’s career started in 1958, and he eventually won a record-setting seven championships. In total, he had 200 career wins. He retired in 1992 as one of NASCAR’s most successful and iconic drivers.
Dale Earnhardt’s Life and Death
Probably the most famous NASCAR driver, Earnhardt dominated the 1980s and 1990s, winning seven championships and becoming a legendary figure in the sport. His career ended abruptly with his tragic death in 2001. This led to stricter safety measures in the world of NASCAR.
Jimmie Johnson’s Winning Strike
The most famous currently active driver, Jimmie Johnson, holds a record of winning seven championships. It’s tied with Petty and Earnhardt. The most impressive part about Johnson’s career is that he had five consecutive championship wins from 2006 to 2010, solidifying his status as one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. He also had some experience with IndyCar and other racings. He’s now semi-retired, appearing in several NASCAR races in 2023.
Conclusion
F1 and NASCAR had plenty of positive and tragic moments in their histories. Unsurprisingly, both sports have existed for decades and feature impressive races, dramas, and charismatic personalities.
In our article, we describe some of the most famous moments in the history of autosports and look at impressive drivers’ biographies. We included rises and falls to provide a complete picture.
