Lewis Hamilton secured his sixth Formula 1 World Championship on 3 November 2019, finishing second in the United States Grand Prix at Austin behind Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Hamilton’s achievement brought him within one championship of Michael Schumacher’s then-record seven titles. Max Verstappen finished third for Red Bull.
The same date in 1968 saw Graham Hill win the Mexican Grand Prix and secure his second World Championship. Driving for Lotus, Hill defeated championship rival Jackie Stewart, whose Matra suffered engine problems.
Bruce McLaren finished second, with Jackie Oliver third, helping Lotus secure the Constructors’ Championship.
In 1985, Keke Rosberg won the inaugural Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide. The Williams driver finished ahead of Ligier teammates Jacques Laffite and Philippe Streiff, who collided late in the race but still completed the podium.
Farewell Niki Lauda
The event also marked Niki Lauda’s final Formula 1 appearance, ending a career featuring three World Championships.
Six years later, the 1991 Australian Grand Prix became notorious for torrential rain. Ayrton Senna was declared winner after the race was stopped following 14 laps, with results taken after 14 completed laps despite only 16 laps being run. Nigel Mansell was classified second and Gerhard Berger third.
In 2013, Sebastian Vettel continued his remarkable winning streak with victory in Abu Dhabi, while the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix produced another memorable wet-weather performance from Max Verstappen.
Across the decades, 3 November has repeatedly delivered championship celebrations and extraordinary driving performances.