European Grand Prix

The European Grand Prix is a separate Formula One event that was first held during the mid-1980s and has been held regularly since 1993. In earlier seasons in Formula One one of the national Grands Prix was also designated as the European Grand Prix. For example in 1964 the first British Grand Prix held at the Brands Hatch circuit was so designated. This entry refers only to those European Grand Prix which were separate world championship events.

Second Incarnation

In 1990, a wealthy Japanese businessman, Tomonori Tsurumaki, built an extravagant (and remote) race track called Nippon Autopolis with the idea of hosting a Formula One race. In 1992, plans were made to have an Asian Grand Prix in 1993 to replace the Mexican Grand Prix on the schedule. However, these plans failed to materialize. Instead, Bernie Ecclestone added a race at Donington Park to the schedule, which brought back the European Grand Prix moniker. The race was the brainchild of Tom Wheatcroft, who had been trying to bring F1 to the track since an abortive attempt to host the British Grand Prix in 1988. The first (and only) race at Donington Park resulted in Ayrton Senna's famous victory in wet/dry conditions where he essentially lapped the field.

Related Topics:
Japan - Nippon Autopolis - Asian - Mexican Grand Prix - Bernie Ecclestone - Donington Park - Tom Wheatcroft - Ayrton Senna

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The European race would go to Jerez the following season, and then returned to Nürburgring, which was now popular again with drivers. Because of this it hosted the race again in 1996, but after complaints that no other countries were to get the race, the Nürburgring race was renamed the Luxembourg Grand Prix. Jerez got the race back in 1997 as a replacement for the Portuguese Grand Prix. Jerez hosted the season finale that year, and it was the site of the famous incident between Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve which saw Schumacher get disqualified from the championship. It was also the scene of Mika Häkkinen's first Formula One victory.

Related Topics:
Jerez - Luxembourg Grand Prix - Portuguese Grand Prix - Michael Schumacher - Jacques Villeneuve - Mika Häkkinen

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In 1998, the European Grand Prix was dropped from the schedule, but returned in 1999 when the race at Nürburgring re-adopted the European Grand Prix name. The race has remained there since.

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The 1999 race was notable for the torrential rain conditions which saw many experienced drivers slide off the circuit, presenting Johnny Herbert with the opportunity to take Stewart Grand Prix's first (and only) victory in its final season before being sold to Ford. Herbert remains the last Englishman to have won a Formula One grand prix.

Related Topics:
Johnny Herbert - Stewart Grand Prix - Ford - Englishman

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