Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Recommended for you

Rookie Dennis Hauger and overcoming the uncomfortable feeling ahead of first Indy 500

IndyCar
110th Running of the Indianapolis 500
Rookie Dennis Hauger and overcoming the uncomfortable feeling ahead of first Indy 500

NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2027 unveiled

NASCAR Cup
All-Star Race
NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2027 unveiled

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a largely throwback All Star Race idea

NASCAR Cup
All-Star Race
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a largely throwback All Star Race idea

Kevin Harvick on Natalie Decker: "I don't like to see a mockery made out of what our sport is"

NASCAR Truck
Charlotte
Kevin Harvick on Natalie Decker: "I don't like to see a mockery made out of what our sport is"

The milk of choice for every 2026 Indy 500 driver

IndyCar
110th Running of the Indianapolis 500
The milk of choice for every 2026 Indy 500 driver

Enter the simulation - How GM tech accelerated Cadillac's F1 entry

Formula 1
Canadian GP
Enter the simulation - How GM tech accelerated Cadillac's F1 entry

NASCAR on Prime trackside coverage to feature several Cup Series legends

NASCAR Cup
Charlotte
NASCAR on Prime trackside coverage to feature several Cup Series legends

WNBA star Caitlin Clark to serve as Grand Marshal for the Indy 500

IndyCar
110th Running of the Indianapolis 500
WNBA star Caitlin Clark to serve as Grand Marshal for the Indy 500

The day John Watson won from 22nd – 1983 Long Beach GP

It’s no surprise that most grands prix are won by those who start near the front. But every now and again fans get treated to something remarkable.

On 23 occasions in Formula 1 world championship history – that’s more than 1000 races – the winner has started from outside the top 10. The most recent is Lewis Hamilton’s victory from 14th on the grid at the 2018 German GP, but the record came at Long Beach in 1983. 

With the new Miami GP just around the corner, Autosport’s Chief Editor Kevin Turner revisits an unbelievable day in F1 history. This is a “Short View Back to the Past” on how John Watson won from 22nd on the grid. 

Which motorsport tale would you like us to cover next? Please let us know in the comments.

Previous article Miami GP officials repair track damage ahead of F1 practice
Next article F1 drivers weigh in on "challenging" Miami pit entry chicane

Top Comments

Latest news