And Colossally That's History!

We're rounding off season 2 of And Colossally That's History with a two-part mini-series on none other than Bernie Ecclestone, who, as Formula 1’s commercial rights holder, was F1’s most powerful individual for nearly 40 years.  Matt and Richard discuss his humble origins, how he built his reputation and wealth in the used car and motorcycle trade, his early exploits in racing, and how he came to manage (and then have to deal with the painful loss of) two F1 drivers. They also discuss his purchase of the Brabham F1 Team, his role in the Formula One Constructors' Association, and how he was able to build his reputation, influence and wealth so quickly. Part 2, on Bernie's 30-plus year spell as F1's ringmaster in chief, coming next week! Want to listen ad-free? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace to take advantage of our special Black Friday offer, where you can get 30% off your first month Buy some Colossally merch! Visit The Race Shop Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android A Race Media Production Producer: Jonny Reynolds With special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As many as 10 British drivers have become world champion since the inauguration of the Formula 1 world championship in 1950, but only one had the distinction of being the first person from his country to do so. On today's episode of Colossally, Matt and Richard discuss the battle to become Britain's first F1 world champion, which occurred in 1958 and boiled down to a straight fight between two very different drivers: Mike Hawthorn and Stirling Moss. They discuss why their head-to-head rivalry represented the beginning of fandom in Formula 1, the triumphs and tribulations each faced heading into 1958, the unique differences in their personalities and driving styles, and of course the need-to-know details on the 1958 season itself. Along the way there are some amazing and little known nuggets shared, as well as several personal recollections from Matt and Richard of meetings with the great Moss. Want to listen ad-free? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace to take advantage of our special Black Friday offer, where you can get 30% off your first month Click here to buy a beautful Lotus-inspired REC Watch, made using material from Ayrton Senna's car Buy some Colossally merch! Visit The Race Shop Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android A Race Media Production Producer: Jonny Reynolds With special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest episode of Colossally has a distinctly French flavour, as Matt and Richard look back on a golden age of French Formula 1 drivers. Believe it or not, having endured a 13-year winless drought in Formula 1 between 1958 and 1971, France then produced 10 different F1 winners in 11 seasons in the 1970s and early 1980s - a remarkable achievement for the country that gave rise to Grand Prix racing. Matt and Richard look back on the history of Grand Prix racing in France, before explaining why a school established by British was the driving force behind the French surge. After that they discuss each of the golden generation in turn; names like Didier Pironi, Patrick Depailler, Jacques Laffite, Rene Arnoux and Alain Prost, before answering that all important question: Which of them did they like the best? Want to listen ad-free? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace - we even have an F1-only tier! Buy some Colossally merch! Visit The Race Shop Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android A Race Media Production Producer: Jonny Reynolds With special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Matt and Richard explore the genius of one of Formula 1's most celebrated drivers: Gilles Villeneuve. The unassuming French-Canadian only won six Grands Prix in his all-too-short career, but his reputation remains up there with the very best, and his legacy still looms large over the sport, not least because of his artistry behind the wheel and pure love of racing. To help reappraise the Villeneuve legend, Matt and Richard have picked out three races from his F1 career which they use as jumping off points to discuss what made the late, great Ferrari star so revered by fans, and especially by Enzo Ferrari - even if some of Villeneuve's peers weren't always so effusive about his uncompromising approach to racing... Want to listen ad-free? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace - we even have an F1-only tier! Buy some Colossally merch! Visit The Race Shop Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android A Race Media Production Producer: Jonny Reynolds With special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices