On 5 March 1977, Formula One arrived at Kyalami for a South African Grand Prix that would become one of the most tragic races in the sport’s history. As Niki Lauda drove to victory, the race was overshadowed by the devastating accident that claimed the lives of Welsh driver Tom Pryce and marshal Frederik Jansen van Vuuren — a moment that left a lasting mark on Formula One.

In this episode of Chequered Past, we revisit the race that Kyalami could never forget.

We also look back at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen’s dominant victory marked the beginning of one of the most commanding seasons the sport has ever seen.

Plus, the story of Luciano Burti — a Brazilian driver whose Formula One career was shaped by two dramatic accidents in 2001 — and the remarkable management buyout that created Brawn GP in 2009, setting the stage for one of the most unlikely championship wins in Formula One history.

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Music by #Mubert Music Rendering