A unique show
The O2 Arena in London was the stage for the F1 75 event, during which all the teams presented the liveries of their cars in one evening. Before this show, each team had unveiled their cars to the world on specific dates and locations, never sharing the look of their cars with other teams. The exception took place on the evening of February 18, also scheduled to celebrate the 75-year history of Formula 1. It was no coincidence that, alongside the current drivers, some of the past champions were invited, some of whom made history by winning one or more world titles.
The 1970s
All of them, along with those who won at least one GP in their career, attended the show at a true legends’ table, starting with the longest-serving champions like Jackie Stewart. Winner of his first title in 1969, the Scot repeated in 1971 and 1973, in the same decade that saw Emerson Fittipaldi rise to prominence. The Brazilian became champion for the first time between Stewart’s last two world titles, and then claimed his second title in 1974. The 1970s ended with the success of the Italian-American Mario Andretti, who was also present in London.
The 1990s and the Williams drivers
At the table was a driver who didn’t become champion in the 1980s but came close to that achievement: Nigel Mansell. The ‘Lion of England’ dominated the scene in 1992 with Williams, the same team that saw successes in the 1990s from two racing sons, Damon Hill (1996) and Jacques Villeneuve, still the last to win the world title with Williams in 1997.
Winners, but not champions
The 1990s, along with the early 2000s, saw the first career victories of another Scot, David Coulthard. At the winners’ table was former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi, who won only one GP in Canada in 1995, which was little for what he demonstrated throughout his career. A table for six world champions, with a total of nine world titles, 131 wins, and 324 podiums.
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