For most modern-day Formula 1 teams, the development race is reaching its zenith in January as the final touches are being made to new designs. While concepts will have been locked down months beforehand, the finer details are now under the spotlight.
While those squads will be working towards the ultimate deadline of the first race of the year on March 2 in Bahrain, that is a luxury compared to what has gone before. For the majority of the 1950s, and also in the 1970s, the opening grand prix of the year would have taken place in mid-January. Often, the tight turnaround meant that the previous year’s designs were pressed into service once more.
Of the 1101 Formula 1 World championship GPs, 24
