On the latest episode of And Colossally That's History! Richard and Matt are reappraising the legacy of one of F1's most enduring cars: The Lotus 72.Named by no less than Adrian Newey as the car he wishes he'd designed, the 72 was a revolutionary machine in Formula 1 terms, setting the template, as it did, for all F1 cars that would follow.It was also one of the longest-serving and most successful cars in F1 history, spending six years in the top flight (from 1970 to 1975) , and being raced to 20 world championship-status Formula 1 grand prix wins, two Formula 1 drivers’ world championships, and three Formula 1 constructors’ world championships.Richard and Matt explore how innovative Lotus boss Colin Chapman, working with designer Maurice Philippe, arrived at the game-changing 72, and why it became so successful. They also talk about the great drivers that excelled in various iterations of it, with both Matt and Richard describing in brilliant detail their experiences of watching the car being expertly piloted by Ronnie Peterson - a man who seemed its perfect match.Matt and Richard will be bringing members an exclusive Q&A episode at the end of Season 3, where they'll answer questions on each of the topics covered. Join on Patreon today and get 75% off your first month - we even have an F1-only tier! 🚨 NEW MERCH ALERT! If you love Colossally AND in particular Anorak Facts, we've got a new t-shirt and notebook design you'll love! 🚨 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:11:40
Silverstone 1950: The amazing stories behind the very first world championship F1 race
On this week’s episode of And Colossally That’s History! Matt and Richard wind the clock back to 1950, as they reappraise the very first race of the F1 world championship era, which took place at Silverstone on May 13. Along the way, they look at the origins of the term ‘Formula 1’, dig into the debate over where the first race run to Formula 1 regulations actually took place, and explain why Alfa Romeo emerged as the dominant force in the post-war years, leading up to Silverstone. They also discuss the strange origins of Silverstone as a race venue, before chatting about the wonderful ensemble of drivers that assembled at the former bomber base for the first race - a remarkable list that included a Thai royal, a Colditz Castle POW, and a gigolo, but NO representative from Ferrari.And finally, they look back on the race itself, which was won by man who, to quote the great Juan Manuel Fangio, “Drove like a madman...” Matt and Richard will be bringing members an exclusive Q&A episode at the end of Season 3, where they'll answer questions on each of the topics covered. So if you'd like to ask a follow-up question about Silverstone 1950, join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. For a limited period we’re giving you 75% off your first month! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:12:31
Eddie Jordan: F1’s biggest overachiever?
On this week’s episode, Matt and Richard look back on the life and career of Eddie Jordan, who very sadly died of cancer, on March 20th this year, at the age of 76. For the generation who grew up on F1 in the 1990s and 2000s, Eddie was the most charismatic team boss in the game, and it was hard not to cheer for his underdog squad when they landed several big punches on the chins of their much better funded rivals, as well as the occasional knockout blow. But, having built an F1 team from scratch on a minimal budget and then not only kept it afloat, but turned it into a grand prix-winning (and at one point championship-challenging) outfit, should EJ be considered F1’s biggest overachiever? As Matt and Richard attempt to answer that question, they look back over Eddie’s time in F1, with Matt - who was good friends with Eddie - sharing amusing and poignant anecdotes and stories that perfectly illustrate a fun-loving, larger than life character with a steely inner core.Get 75% off your first month when you join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an F1-only tier! Head to patreon.com/theraceMatt and Richard will be bringing members an exclusive Q&A episode at the end of Season 3, where they'll answer questions on each of the topics covered. So if you'd like to ask a question about Eddie Jordan, head to Patreon.com/theraceBuy some Colossally merch! Visit The Race ShopFollow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and FacebookCheck out our latest videos on YouTubeA Race Media ProductionProducer: Jonny Reynolds Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:16:39
F1's infamous 'crashgate' scandal
On this week’s episode, Matt and Richard look back at the controversial ‘crashgate’ scandal, when it emerged that the Renault driver Nelson Piquet Junior deliberately crashed during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix to hand a major sporting advantage to his team-mate, Fernando Alonso, who went on to win the race.Matt and Richard look at the origins of the saga, peak into the murkiness around who came up with the idea and put it into action, explain how it came to be uncovered, and discuss the punishments handed out to those involved.They also debate the morals of the incident itself - was it the worst example of cheating in sporting history (as some claimed at the time) or an example of F1 gamesmanship gone too far? Matt and Richard will be bringing members an exclusive Q&A episode at the end of Season 3, where they'll answer questions on each of the topics covered. So if you'd like to ask a question about Crashgate, head to Patreon.com/therace Buy some Colossally merch! Visit The Race Shop Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTubeA Race Media ProductionProducer: Jonny Reynolds Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:10:46
The quickest driver in F1 history? Jim Clark remembered
On the latest episode of Colossally, join Matt Bishop and Richard Williams as they reappraise the life and career of a driver regarded by many as the quickest to ever sit in a Formula 1 car: Jim Clark.A double world champion in the 1960s and STILL to this day the driver with the most 'grand slam' grand prix weekends (pole, victory, fastest lap, every racing lap led), Clark was widely considered among his fellow racers (and by Ayrton Senna, no less) to be a cut above - and on this podcast we'll try to explain why.In doing so, Richard shares some incredible stories of watching Clark race first-hand, including his memories of seeing a young Clark win four races in one meeting, when the Scot was climbing the ladder to F1.There's chat about Clark's most famous days behind the wheel, his relationship with iconic Lotus boss Colin Chapman, and about the harrowing moments that made him question whether he should race on. Matt and Richard also discuss Clark's idiosyncrasies out of the car, and the unique skillset that made Clark so quick - and possibly the quickest ever - when he jumped into the driver's seat.Matt also shares an incredibly poignant story about visiting Clark's memorial at the Hockenheim circuit, where, completely by chance, he bumped into someone with vivid memories of the Scotsman's final moments. Matt and Richard will be bringing members an exclusive Q&A episode at the end of Season 3, where they'll answer questions on each of the topics covered. So if you'd like to ask a question about Jim Clark, head to Patreon.com/therace Buy some Colossally merch! Visit The Race Shop Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTubeA Race Media ProductionProducer: Jonny ReynoldsWith special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
And Colossally That’s History! (the name a reference to a famous line of Murray Walker commentary) is the podcast that takes an unadulterated look at the earth-shattering events, epic sagas and huge characters that have shaped motor racing history. From Grand Prix racing as a tool of the Nazi war machine to how Ayrton Senna’s death shaped modern F1, hosts Matt Bishop and Richard Williams will discuss and dissect these topics as only they can, bringing new insight and fresh perspectives that help explain how motor racing moved from niche past-time to the multi-billion-dollar sporting spectacle of today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland