5th July 1981: The Victory That Sparked a Revolution

On this day in Formula One history, a young Frenchman lit the fuse on a turbocharged future.In this episode of Chequered Past, we journey to Dijon-Prenois in 1981, where Alain Prost claimed his first Grand Prix victory in front of a home crowd. But this was no ordinary race — it was stopped for rain, restarted on slicks, and won through razor-sharp strategy. Prost’s triumph wasn’t just personal—it marked the moment Renault’s turbo technology came of age, changing the face of F1 forever.We also delve into the story of Jean Behra, the fiery French driver whose passion and pride clashed fatally with Enzo Ferrari. His sudden sacking during the 1959 French Grand Prix weekend and tragic death weeks later cast a long shadow over motorsport’s golden era.And finally, we revisit Formula One’s surreal return in 2020, when the world watched the season opener in Austria unfold behind closed doors. From last-minute retirements to a maiden podium for Lando Norris, the race was a rollercoaster that reminded us why we missed F1 so much.It’s a story of victory, volatility, and reinvention—on and off the track.Original Image: Prost at 1981 Dutch Grand PrixCreator: Hans van Dijk for Anefo / neg. stroken, 1945-1989, 2.24.01.05, item number 931-6508Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 NL. Image has been edited. Send us Fan MailMusic by #Mubert Music Rendering