When F1 raced after Christmas

The 2024 season is slowly fading into the distance, with the festive period taking centre stage as the year draws to a close.

After all, it’s now been 20 days since the curtain came down on our most recent campaign, following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix earlier this month.

But the holiday period hasn’t always been quite as relaxing for Formula 1’s teams and fans.

Back in 1962 the South African Grand Prix was held on December 29th — and that trend continued the following year, when the same event was held a day earlier on December 28th.

There were only nine and ten races, respectively, in those seasons, with the action taking place from late May until December.

That meant South Africa’s Prince George Circuit hosted the competition’s finale on both occasions — adding extra importance to these festive showpieces.

Of course, it’s almost impossible to imagine such key races being scheduled as close to Christmas in 2024!

Graham Hill of British Racing Motors won the 1962 edition and topped the Drivers’ Standings, too, while Jim Clark achieved the same feat in 1963.

Seasonal racing proved to be a short-lived arrangement, however.

By 1964 the Formula 1 calendar had changed significantly. The final race was moved to Mexico City and pencilled in for late October, ending F1’s dalliance with festive-focused competition.

It’s unlikely to return any time soon, but would you be in favour of a Grand Prix around Christmas? Let us know on social media, using the hashtag #WeAreWilliams.