"It was almost impossible to drive," said Lewis Hamilton. "It was so hard."
He'd dominated the race, moved himself into a firm championship lead, and had done so with a damaged car. But this wasn't the 2020 British Grand Prix and Hamilton wasn't driving a Mercedes W11.
This was the opening race of the 2003 Formula Renault 2.0 UK championship at Croft.
Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College, University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of technology and motorsport publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer. A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the Magazine Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before switching to cover Formula E work as Autosport.com Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.
Where F1's calendar shuffling hurts its new drivers OPINION: Formula 1 endured major scheduling challenges thanks to the pandemic in 2020, but still managed to save its season. These difficulties remain in 2021 and create a tough knock-on effect for the championship's new arrivals F1
The mistakes Mercedes cannot afford to make in F1 2021 OPINION: After clinching the last seven Formula 1 world title doubles, Mercedes of course heads into the 2021 season as the overwhelming favourite. But there are still distinct hurdles it must clear to keep that streak alive F1
The driver gap Aston Martin must address in F1 2021 A famous motorsport moniker returns to Formula 1 in 2021. But, with Aston Martin still essentially the same as Racing Point, there's an element the team will want to fix for the new campaign if it is to better the recent success of its previous guise F1
The advice for Ferrari's in-waiting F1 star from his predecessor Two of Ferrari's Formula 1 juniors ended up fighting for the 2020 Formula 2 title. One has a deal with Haas for 2021 while the other faces a year on the sidelines. But that didn't work out badly for the last driver Ferrari brought through, as he explains F1
Why Renault's survivor wasn't part of Alpine's plans Even the most skilled and ambitious political operators can come a cropper when organisations change. STUART CODLING reflects on the departure from Renault of Cyril Abiteboul F1
Where F1's calendar shuffling hurts its new drivers OPINION: Formula 1 endured major scheduling challenges thanks to the pandemic in 2020, but still managed to save its season. These difficulties remain in 2021 and create a tough knock-on effect for the championship's new arrivals F1
The image battle facing F1's 'nice guy' He's had his fingers burned by social media's keyboard warriors who have trouble appreciating that he's only human. But after two years in the intense spotlight Formula 1 brings, Lando Norris has no plans to change his outlook F1
How a GP is thriving in a COVID-free territory The New Zealand Grand Prix's mix of rising talent and big-name stars thrilled the crowds (yes, remember crowds?) assembled for the Toyota Racing Series meeting at Hampton Downs last weekend and left distant observers craving a repeat Other
Highlights
Series
Explore
