Great Read: The F1 driver who lived his career in reverse

The only debut GP winner  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ View in browser View in browser ARTICLES MAGAZINE SHOP DATABASE SHOP ARCHIVE The F1 driver whose career went in reverse: Giancarlo Baghetti, GP racing's debut winner June 2003 | Nigel Roebuck The only Formula 1 driver to win a grand prix on his debut, Giancarlo Baghetti was unlike most other rivals in more ways than one, writes Nigel Roebuck There were but five laps remaining in the 1996 Australian Grand Prix when Jacques Villeneuve got the message from the Williams pit: his oil pressure was falling, and if he were to finish the race he needed to back off. Galling, this, for it meant surrendering the lead to team-mate Damon Hill. Already he had become only the third driver in history (joining Mario Andretti and Carlos Reutemann) to start his first grand prix from pole, and now he had come within a few miles of being only the second to win it. Thus, the record of Giancarlo Baghetti remained intact and, in all probability, it will stay that way. READ MORE ADVERTISEMENT Iconic Collectors’ & Competition Car Sale catalogue now live! Join Iconic Auctioneers at The BRDC Classic, Silverstone Circuit, on 24–25 July for the Iconic Collectors’ & Competition Car Sale, featuring over 150 exceptional cars. Friday’s Competition Car Sale includes an outstanding line-up of cars campaigned by names including Jimmy McRae, Russell Brookes, Steve Davies, John Fitzpatrick and Didier Auriol, all with period provenance and proven championship success. Saturday’s Collectors’ Car Sale showcases performance cars, low-mileage examples and limited-edition examples, alongside a 27-car collection from Anthony Hamilton. View the full catalogue and register today. Bidding is available in person at the show, online, over the telephone or by leaving a commission bid. If you are interested, now is the time to register to bid. If you have any questions regarding any of the lots listed, please contact the member of our specialist team detailed alongside the lot listing or contact the office: enquiries@iconicauctioneers.com. VIEW ALL LOTS PODCAST Motor Sport F1 Show 'F1 cars WILL run out of energy at Silverstone' - what does it mean for British GP? High-speed Silverstone is an Formula 1 favourite, but this year's British Grand Prix will see cars slowing on the straights as they run out of electrical energy. What does that mean for the race? WATCH NOW F1 Pablo Elizalde The ghost in the machine: Why Aston Martin's 2026 problems trace back to Jordan Aston Martin's 2026 struggles have deeper roots than a difficult regulation reset - some of them trace back to a factory Eddie Jordan built in 1991. READ MORE F1 Pablo Elizalde The ghost in the machine: Why Aston Martin's 2026 problems trace back to Jordan Aston Martin's 2026 struggles have deeper roots than a difficult regulation reset - some of them trace back to a factory Eddie Jordan built in 1991. READ MORE F1 Mark Hughes MPH: Finding a way round F1 rules doesn't mean Mercedes is cheating, whatever fans think Two controversies involving George Russell and Mercedes, one technical and one sporting, didn't expose flaws in Formula 1’s rules, but how quickly reason is lost in the noise of reaction, Mark Hughes argues. READ MORE F1 Pablo Elizalde Will Silverstone become F1’s next super-clipping trap? British GP briefing As F1's title fight tightens, Silverstone's unique demands threaten to scramble the order further in what might turn out to be an atypical British GP. READ MORE F1 Pablo Elizalde Will Silverstone become F1’s next super-clipping trap? British GP briefing As F1's title fight tightens, Silverstone's unique demands threaten to scramble the order further in what might turn out to be an atypical British GP. READ MORE Motor Sport Collectables Explore our best-selling collectables, selected for Motor Sport enthusiasts like you. Lotus 72 Pocher Model BUY NOW Porsche 917K Pocher Model BUY NOW F1 Retro 1980 by Mark Hughes BUY NOW Stirling Silver Motor Sport Cufflinks BUY NOW Brabham BT46  Scalextric BUY NOW Lotus 79 Scalextric BUY NOW Update your content preferences UPDATE NOW Connect with us We now accept © 2025 Motor Sport Magazine, All rights reserved. Motor Sport Magazine, 18-20 Rosemont Road, London, NW3 6NE. © 2025 Motor Sport Magazine, All rights reserved. Motor Sport Magazine,  18-20 Rosemont Road, London, NW3 6NE. Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy