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Pick your classic grand prix - race seven

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Andrew Benson | 06:00 UK time, Wednesday, 19 May 2010

The , like all the newer races on the Formula 1 calendar, creates a bit of a problem for our regular forage through the archive.

Usually we choose five great past races from the country which is holding the forthcoming grand prix, and ask you which one you would most like to see.

We then use the views of respondents on this blog to help inform our choice of which event to highlight in the run-up to the race - which means we broadcast the full 'Grand Prix' highlights programme of the time, as well as the shorter video packages we cut for all the choices.

But Turkey has only been on the calendar since 2005, and we used all the previous races there last year.

So for this year's event we will continue with the approach we took for Bahrain and China this year - namely to choose four races from tracks that are no longer on the F1 calendar and add last year's race in Turkey as a fifth choice.

And we have a very tasty selection, which is as follows:

The 1981 San Marino Grand Prix - a dramatic wet/dry race won for by which featured a stunning fightback by 's pole position man . The Canadian was made to suffer for a brave decision to come in early for dry-weather tyres when it started to rain again as he accelerated back on to the track, forcing him to stop again for wet tyres.

The 1982 US Grand Prix West - a second appearance this year for the much-missed track in . This was won by , in only the third race of his comeback after two years out of F1 running his airline. Villeneuve, in his penultimate race before his untimely death, again plays a starring role.

Keke Rosberg's Williams takes the lead from Alain Prost's Renault during the 1982 Swiss Grand PrixRosberg takes the lead on his way to the only win of his world champioship year. Photo: Ö÷²¥´óÐã Sport

The 1982 Swiss Grand Prix - not held in (where motor racing is banned) but at in France. This was the only victory by 's (father of current driver ) in the year he won the drivers' title. The Finn caught and passed the of , who was struggling with a split , on the penultimate lap.

The 1985 European Grand Prix - chosen by popular demand after lots of requests from respondents last year. 's first career F1 victory came in a race that featured an action-packed scrap for the lead in the early laps involving , Rosberg, Piquet and Mansell.

You will notice a heavy early-'80s bias here. Part of that, I have to admit, is because we have been the victims of circumstance.

Originally, I had included the and the 1967 Dutch Grand Prix in our choices, but unfortunately our records of what we should have in the library did not match what is actually there.

So my hopes of bringing you the superb race-long battle between 's Ferrari and 's - ending in a maiden victory for the man who became Britain's first world champion five years later - or the winning debut of the and its engine - one of history's great car-engine combinations - have been dashed.

Instead, we have drafted in a couple of races that were initially planned for later in the season. No matter. The choice you have is brilliant, I hope you'll agree. I look forward to reading your responses.

Comments

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  • Comment number 1.

    Woohoo, first comment!

    I'll go for Imola 1981 please Andrew, as all the rest of the races are amply covered on the FIA video reviews of those years. yes, I know there is one for 1981, but it's strangely edited. I can't believe Villeneuve got that car on pole.

  • Comment number 2.

    i will go for singapore 2008 because of Piquet Jr.'s crash and because Singapore rulessss. Umke umke. It was a fabulous race

  • Comment number 3.

    Well done #2 for listing a non option! Excellent! 1985 please Andrew!

  • Comment number 4.

    The 1985 European Grand Prix please Andrew!

  • Comment number 5.

    Europe '85 please - bummer you couldn't get the earlier races though.

  • Comment number 6.

    Has to be 1985 at Brands Hatch, please Andrew. Classic.
    Though all could be good. I'm looking forward already!
    Thanks.

  • Comment number 7.

    Well as I love seeing the classic battles of the 80s between the likes of Senna, Mansell, Rosberg etc. I am going to choose Europe 1985.

  • Comment number 8.

    If we're looking at races no longer on the calendar then something mid-80's from the Osterreichring and/or Kyalami please.

    Preferably the 1985 South African grand prix. Rosberg.....wow!

  • Comment number 9.

    Europe 1985 please.

  • Comment number 10.

    1981 Please, nothing better than a wet/dry race.

  • Comment number 11.

    i will vote for Europe 1985 and Mansell first GP victory.

    Shame you couldn't get the 1953 French Grand Prix and the 1967 Dutch Grand Prix because they would have great to see

  • Comment number 12.

    Got to be the Hairy Caterpillar (Mansell) in 85 it'll be good to see a GP on the old Brands Hatch Circuit.

    BTW Andrew any chance for the next 'New' venue any Portugese, Swedish or Dutch Grand Prixs (Thinking win for Tyrell P34 6 Wheeler at Anderstorp for one)

  • Comment number 13.

    Europe 85 sounds promising.

  • Comment number 14.

    1985 sounds good - good times!

  • Comment number 15.

    1981 please. I'm sure ESPN Classic showed the 1967 race at Zandvoort last year. They also had Monaco 1970 and Mexico from 68. The tapes are probably in ESPN's offices. Hopefully we can have the 1973 British Grand Prix for the GB race.

  • Comment number 16.

    1985, purely for Brands Hatch

  • Comment number 17.

    The 1985 European Grand Prix please Andrew

  • Comment number 18.

    Agree with #8 - the '82 Austrian Grand Prix at the Osterreichring was an absolute classic, especially for the final corner with de Angelis and Rosberg SO close. This may have been shown before however and of course it's not on the list.

    '81 Imola for em please...

  • Comment number 19.

    I wish you could have found the footage for the 1953 French Grand Prix. Would have been great to see clips of a race at Reims, especially the 1953 race which was apparently a classic, with Hawthorn and Fangio battling it out for 60 laps. The French have had some great tracks that sadly are no longer in existence. If you find the right road you can still drive between the old grandstands and pit buildings of the Reims circuit. Rouen was a great track, but sadly the local authorities have systematically removed almost every sign it ever existed. Clermont-Ferrand was a long winding track that only exists in a much-shortened form now.

    Would be nice to see the 1985 European GP seeing as it was held at Brands Hatch, but I'm going to go for the 1981 San Marino GP. Always entertaining to see Villeneuve try and wrestle that Ferrari around a track at speeds anyone else could only dream of.

  • Comment number 20.

    I'd oddly pick mexico 91, only for the reason of watching Mansell pump in fastest lap after lap to hunt down patrese from some 20-30 seconds back, something you rarely see these days as drivers often settle for 2nd or 3rd place!!!! And also for Senna rolling it at Peralta in qualiying, a great banked right hander!! Bring it back!!!

  • Comment number 21.

    1985 European GP is on the interweb!



    My vote goes to 1981 San Marino GP. Gilles Villenueve in the wet! Nuff said

  • Comment number 22.

    I'd like to see the 1981 San Marino Grand Prix.

    Also, dude, please please! include the hilarious 1991 Canadian Grand Prix when you do the Canadian races! You know what incident I'm thinking of, right?

  • Comment number 23.

    First ever post!!!

    Dijon in '82, brilliant and great racing at a super old skool circuit, same can be said of Brands and Imola, just show tham all!

    Love the 80's selection, could add Silverstone '87 and Mansels comeback drive, Monaco '92 or just the first lap or Donnington '93 for future selections!!!

  • Comment number 24.

    1985 European GP please :)

  • Comment number 25.

    I was talking to a colleague about the '85 European GP this morning. I was cooking bacon and eggs at 6am Friday morning in the campsite! I still remember with sadness the fatal accident in the supporting race at Brands and also I'm a life-long Gilles Villeneuve fan, so it has to be '81 at Imola, please.

  • Comment number 26.

    Well done to the usual simpletons for picking races that aren't choices... Moving on..

    I'll go for the 1985, though it'd always good to see Imola in 1981 before it became a magnet for chicane builders, so that runs it a close second. 2 great circuits that are sadly missed from the calender nowadays and would always draw a huge crowd.

    Shame you can't find older footage Andrew. Even if its a couple of minutes it'd be good to mix in with the 1980's stuff.

    As usual, Freeview coverage, whatever the day or time and for however long would be greatly appreciated, especially with a genuine selection of Classics as you have here.

    Great work as usual and at least you haven't touched a nerve here like you have over on your Schumacher/Monaco blog. 500+ Posts!! Though 500 posts on the Claasic GP Blog would be a good thing for sure.

  • Comment number 27.


    Pity about the older footage Andrew but thanks for trying anyway.

    I'd love to see Long Beach 1982 again because of Giles Villeneuve, the quick and sleek Alfas ( well anything after the 1981 Alfa has to be sleek ) and I like many, miss Long Beach.


    Cheers N Cheerio for now

  • Comment number 28.

    Bring 1985 back for Valencia and Ill vote for it then. I'll go with San Marino 1981. Sounds interesting, not seen it before.

    1982 races have cropped up all the time on here, if it wasn't for the tradgedies of that year it would surely be remembered as a stunning year. 11 different winners, none winning more than twice, in 16 races driving for seven different cars is just amazing.

  • Comment number 29.

    1985 Please Andrew

  • Comment number 30.

    1981 please.

  • Comment number 31.

    I'm stuck between 1981 and 1985.. they both sound like intresting races

    Cause I want to see more of Gilles Villeneuves class I'm gonna vote for 1981!!

  • Comment number 32.

    Europeon 85 please!

    On 53 French GP, I had first read it about month ago and been search footage of it but can't find it! Pity really, it was known as Race of Century, Hawthorn and Fangio were duelled for 60 laps and every laps there were always different leaders either Hawthorn or Fangio.

    Other trivia thing, when Hawthorn stood on podium and heard "God save the Queen." he was burst in tears and Fangio put his arm around Hawthorn and said "What a nice lad."

    Cheers,
    Doc

  • Comment number 33.

    Europe '85 please :D

  • Comment number 34.

    Love to see Europe 85 please :)

  • Comment number 35.

    None of the above - I'm not old enough to remember them and last year's race was a snore-fest.

  • Comment number 36.

    Have you considered appealing for the older stuff - there could be some hoarder out there willing to lend / copy.

    I'm torn between imola 81 - cos I love those early 80s, and it is a joy to watch villneuve, and 85 where mansell at last began to get the results he was capable of. There really was no stopping him after that

    love the old brands too

  • Comment number 37.

    1981 please. As we have seen so far this season, wet races tend to be more exciting!

  • Comment number 38.

    Imola '81 please Andrew.

  • Comment number 39.

    I'd go for '85 please.

    and @2: I'm not one to insult people but your comment was really odd. in every way.

  • Comment number 40.

    hello andrew. using venues as a theme will run out quite soon. i would like it if the theme could sometimes be based on a driver or even a team e.g. first and last G.P., first and last wins, best drive etc. would my fellow contributors agree? i have watched every single televised grand prix since 1978 when i was 8 years old - do i win anything?

  • Comment number 41.

    Europe '85 seems really tasty!! the legends that were racing all at once in those days are immense!



    On a slightly sidewards note, I have to say I think the beeb F1 coverage is now almost perfect - website feeds are now handled properly and on time, the alternative feeds we are given are consistent, and the live shows are always fresh. Website videos pre race weekend are also now much nicer to listen to.
    Legard I thought was also excellent in Monaco, I hope his form continues!

    The only continuing niggles I have are the sheer amount of small errors in live shows, often with sound and sound mixing on-air, or relating to the audio of interactive feed, with 5 live audio being often ahead of the pictures - this is a continuing niggle and should not be happening at this level of broadcasting


    when the small (but noticable) details are sorted I can't see much else that needs looked at, which is absolutely tremendous!

  • Comment number 42.

    nurburgring 1999

  • Comment number 43.

    i find it ironic that this time last year everyone was saying how boring the season was and yet andrew benson puts every single 1 of buttons wins as a 'classic grand prix' choice

  • Comment number 44.

    1981 San Marino - Finally we might get to see full highlights of a race on one of my all time favourite tracks... please!!!

  • Comment number 45.

    There has obviously been many classic F1 races including 1998 Belguim which sticks in my head for some reason...
    My favorite piece of F1 history that i went to was definitly in 1992 at silverstone but not for the race but for the qually, when Ayrton went out about 2 mins to the end and posted the quickest time and Nige was in hot persuit and just beat him to P1 , Silverstone erupted.
    But the F1 classic i chose is 1988 Monza GP where two laps to go Ayrton span and the two Ferarri`s came home 1-2 .(classic)The crowd went wild .

  • Comment number 46.

    1: 2009 Turkey
    2: 82 Swiss
    3: 82 US GP
    4: 85 European
    5: 81 San Marino

  • Comment number 47.

    I like the sound of 1985 please.

  • Comment number 48.

    I would like to see the 1991 SILVERSTONE GP when Mansel won it and gave Senna a lift back to the pit lane on his side pod

  • Comment number 49.

    Any race!! maybe 1981, Please.

  • Comment number 50.

    The 1985 European Grand Prix for sure!!!! That was BRILLIANT!

  • Comment number 51.

    The 1985 European Grand Prix is my choice as Nigel Mansell was a brilliant driver

  • Comment number 52.

    46. At 7:06pm on 19 May 2010, SomersetRaceFan wrote:
    1: 2009 Turkey
    2: 82 Swiss
    3: 82 US GP
    4: 85 European
    5: 81 San Marino
    ________________________________________________________________________

    You can`t pick Jenson`s win in turkey 09 read the blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Comment number 53.



    Is the link for nurburgring 1999

  • Comment number 54.

    The 1967 Italian Grand Prix. Jim Clark pit stopping, in the days when pit stops were only when you were in big trouble, becoming a lap behind, then clawing his way back to the front, only to have other mishaps. God (John Surtees), in an uncompetive car,(Honda V12) fighting all the way to slipstream Jack Brabham to the finish to a an applause that normally would have been for a Ferrai driver, although he was prior to 67.

  • Comment number 55.

    1982 US GP please

  • Comment number 56.

    Europe '85 is my pick, natch.

  • Comment number 57.

    Motor Racing is not banned in Switzerland anymore I can tell you, it was lifted a few years ago, the IRC held a round in Valais as a result I believe. Safety must have been deemed significantly improved since the 1952 Le Mans disaster.
    Could We see the Swiss GP please in Dijon, France. A Great great track full of undulation, the kind F1 should go back to and we should be reminded of!!

    (please leave F1 Bernie and take Wind tunnels and empty seats with you!!!)

  • Comment number 58.

    Imola 1981

  • Comment number 59.

    There are many races I have attended or watched that I would include as classics:
    - Mansell wheel to wheel vs Senna down the straight in Barcelona
    - That Senna first lap at Donington 1993
    - Mansell overtaking Piquet at Silverstone in 1987
    - Schumacher in the wet at Barcelona for Ferrari (1996/7?)
    - Hakkinen vs Schumacher at Spa - that great pass down the long straight

    And how about Silverstone when that nutter walked on the circuit dressed in a kilt - which created the best race there in years?

  • Comment number 60.

    1985 On freeview please.
    Why was San marino 1981 chosen over San marino 1982?

  • Comment number 61.

    A suggestion - I think from now on maybe you should begin the classic vote collumn with something like this in big bold letters in the opening paragraph

    HERE ARE YOUR CHOICES
    *1981 San Marino Grand Prix
    *1982 US Grand Prix West
    *1982 Swiss Grand Prix
    *1985 European Grand Prix


    as there seems to be quite a lot of people who comment without being totally clear

  • Comment number 62.

    Out of the bunch, and being british, i'd have to pick the 1985 european grand prix. I've never seen full footage of mansells 1st win, and would ideally love to, especially after reading the reviews and reading about the 4 horse race between mansell, piquat, senna and rosberg.

  • Comment number 63.

    europe 1985 for me andrew please

  • Comment number 64.

    1985! Gotsta be!

  • Comment number 65.

    I'd go for Europe 1985, seen lots of the clip of Mansell winning it but not the rest of the race!

    For future new races, I'd like to see:-

    Any of the US GP's held in Detroit, particularly 1984 when Martin Brundle came through the field in the atmo Tyrell to finish second. Mexico 1986 is one I remember well also- Berger/ Benetton's first win, Mansell stalling on the grid then getting held up behind Piquet.

  • Comment number 66.

    1981 San Marino, please.

  • Comment number 67.

    The monza 1971 has got to be better than all of these.

    A 5 car battle with Peter Gethin winning by 0.010 secs. The first five cars were all covered by 0.61s. It was the closest finish in the history of the World Championship and the fastest ever race, with an average speed of 150.75mph. Now that's racing

  • Comment number 68.

    I would love to see Mansells first victory in 1985

  • Comment number 69.

    I'd love to see Brands Hatch 1985, hopefully you can use your powers of persuasion to get the highlights on Freeview!

  • Comment number 70.

    I've seen a few video highlights of Europe 1985, but nothing comprehensive. I'd love to see the full package, along with the comentary of Murry Walker

  • Comment number 71.

    What about USA 2000? Fantastic return to the sport for a track which I'm sure most of all didn't find all that bad.

  • Comment number 72.

    Brands Hatch!!! Nige!!! Murray Walker!!! Mansell Mania!!! Murray Mania!!!

    European GP 1985!!!

  • Comment number 73.

    1985 for me

    also people read the choices, and be thankful we get this stuff.

  • Comment number 74.

    Oh my days, how to choose they are all classics wow. 2 choices for grand prix in the best season ever though tragic as well.

    I will go for

    dijon 82, the flying fin was awesome as always, he was something special to watch.

    For another edition I would realy like to see any of the races from happy, hippy zandvort or any of the prost-jones duels.

  • Comment number 75.

    Either of the 1982 races please, the Swiss GP my first choice. Would have loved to have seen the '53 race though!

  • Comment number 76.

    Will go for Euro 85.

  • Comment number 77.

    Anything with the great Gilles Villeneuve! But Imola '81 was some race. So '81 please.

    I can't wait to see what you pick for the Canadian GP choices, we really are spoilt for choice on that one, I can't remember a dull race ever taking place there! I hope to see '78 amongst the choices.

  • Comment number 78.

    I'm happy with any of those choices, but I'll vote for Imola 81 I think!

  • Comment number 79.

    any chance we could have some catch up on freeview of Spain and Monaco choices as these a) weren't shown and b) missed as shown a day earlier than usual.
    Europe 1985 please full highlights programme
    Isn't it great to be able to revisit these classic races?
    Thanks Andrew and everyone on the team

  • Comment number 80.

    1981 Imola
    Great track, and seeing Villeneuve (a truly talented driver unlike his fairly OK son) charge up the field in the wet must be amazing.
    And also a chance to see the driver/team that were my faves when I started to watch F1, Piquet/Brabham win the day.

  • Comment number 81.

    Gilles - all the way..1981.
    Same year Ricky Villa messed up my life by supporting the Spurs...

  • Comment number 82.

    "52. At 7:32pm on 19 May 2010, lewishamiltonforever wrote:
    46. At 7:06pm on 19 May 2010, SomersetRaceFan wrote:
    1: 2009 Turkey
    2: 82 Swiss
    3: 82 US GP
    4: 85 European
    5: 81 San Marino
    ________________________________________________________________________

    You can`t pick Jenson`s win in turkey 09 read the blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

    If you'd read the blog properly you'd have seen this:


    "So for this year's event we will continue with the approach we took for Bahrain and China this year - namely to choose four races from tracks that are no longer on the F1 calendar and add last year's race in Turkey as a fifth choice."

    Turkey 2009 is the fifth choice by the sounds of it.

  • Comment number 83.

    The 1985 European Grand Prix please, gutted about the 53 race not being in the cupboard :(
    did you check behind the sofa ?
    worth a try your bound to find a few quid down there at the least ;)

  • Comment number 84.

    The 1985 European Grand Prix without doubt

  • Comment number 85.

    Great choices. Would love to see Europe '85. Brands Hatch and Mansell's first win. Fabulous!

    Quick question, Andrew. Are we going to have the full 2009 highlights programme shown on the red button for all of the races from last year?

    At the risk of sounding greedy, I would rather see shorter 2009 highlights and two full 'Grand Prix' programmes from the archives rather than a full programme from 12 months ago. I am sure a lot of people would agree.

    If two of the older choices take the top two spots in the 'popular vote', couldn't we possibly have both shown instead? Thanks.

  • Comment number 86.

    Silverstone 1987, mansell the great come back 1 sec a lap!

  • Comment number 87.

    First choice has to be 1981 San Marino GP, with second going to 1982 US GP West. Just have to see the brilliance of Villeneuve again.

    And whatever else you do at the Ö÷²¥´óÐã, get an army of people to track down that missing footage of the 1953 French GP. Perhaps one of the greatest Grand Prix races of ALL TIME - and not even an F1 race!

  • Comment number 88.

    1981 San Marino GP please

  • Comment number 89.

    Brands Hatch '85 and Imola '81. Both classic circuits and I would love to see these races as well.

  • Comment number 90.

    First, San Marino 81, second, Brands '85. I know your attempts for earlier races were foiled this time but, please try and give at least one option from either the '50s, '60s or 70's. Thank you and keep up the good work, any F1 is better than none, even for live in the past fossils like me.

  • Comment number 91.

    1982 Long Beach USA please.

  • Comment number 92.

    Swiss GP 1982 please - loved Dijon & 1982 Long Beach failing that.

    In the future though, how about some races from the old Zeltweg configuration? Austria 1977 & 1978 were good, mixed-up races weren't they ?

  • Comment number 93.

    Tough choices here.
    They all sound like fantastic Grand Prix's.
    I think I will go for 1981 as my first choice.

  • Comment number 94.

    The 1985 European Grand Prix at Brands Hatch for me! I was there that day, watching from the grass area at the pit lane exit, on the inside of Paddock Hill Bend. My father and I were stood next to Nigel's Dad, Roseanne, Chloe, and (baby) Leo.

  • Comment number 95.

    I wish the bbc would release a selection of these on DVD!! Im sure they would sell rather well. 85 european for me

  • Comment number 96.

    Must we choose between them? I want to see them all.

    But if I have to select only one, it's gotta be Europe '85 baby, yeah!

  • Comment number 97.

    Can I make a request that Canada 1999 and 1998 are shown for the next race?

  • Comment number 98.

    Europe '85 please. Brands Hatch is such a great track, and who can resist a battle between Mansell, Senna, Rosberg and Piquet!

  • Comment number 99.

  • Comment number 100.

    I'd like to se the 1971 Italian GP won by Peter Gethin, very fast an 5 cars all in with a chnace at the line.

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