And Colossally That's History!

• Back from the brink: How Frank Williams survived (and his team thrived) in 1986

  Today, Williams are a mainstay on the Formula 1 grid and one of the most successful teams in Formula 1 history, having amassed nine constructors’ world championships, seven drivers’ world championships, and 114 grand prix victories. But it all could have been so different. Ahead of the 1986 season, team boss Frank Williams had a devastating car crash which left him paralysed and fighting for his life. That he survived and that his team would go on to win the constructors' title that very same year is one of the great F1 stories - and it's reappraised in fascinating detail by Matt Bishop and Richard Williams in the latest episode of And Colossally That's History. They discuss how, after years of struggle, Frank Williams and his eponymous team were arguably in their best ever shape heading into 1986, and how Frank's accident in France threatened to undo all that hard work.  Richard and Matt also explain in poignant detail Frank's incredible survival and recovery, and the absolutely pivotal role his wife Ginny played in keeping him - and by extension his beloved team - alive. They also outline the incredible ups and downs that played out on-track in 1986, in parallel to Frank's personal rollercoaster, looking in particular at the increasingly bitter intra-team rivalry at Williams between Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet, which culminated in dramatic fashion in Australia. And no episode of Colossally would be complete without some incredible personal anecdotes and impressions thrown in along the way! Matt and Richard will be bringing members an exclusive Q&A episode at the end of Season 3, where they'll answer questions on each of the topics covered. So if you'd like to ask a question about Williams in '86, head to Patreon.com/therace Buy some Colossally merch! Visit The Race Shop Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube A Race Media Production Producer: Jonny Reynolds With special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Enzo Ferrari: The uncompromising path to F1 immortality (Part 2)

  Matt Bishop and Richard Williams return with part two of their two-part mini series on the life and legacy of one of motorsport’s most important and enduring individuals: Enzo Ferrari. They finished the last episode at the point that Ferrari won its very first world championship Formula 1 race - the British Grand Prix in 1951. In this episode they’ll guide you through the Fifties, Sixties, Seventies and Eighties, during which time the idiosyncratic Enzo dealt with triumph and tragedy in almost equal measure, as he and his team cemented their legendary status in the sport.  Richard and Matt discuss Enzo's uncomfortable relationship with success, the way his son Dino's death shaped his identity and world view, the 'dark glamour' attached to the Ferrari brand in the Fifties, and how Enzo kept going, even when drivers perished in his machinery. There's also chat about his unique approach to motivating his workforce through 'creative tension', the myths and mystery that surrounded him throughout his life, his surprising weakness for innovation, and how he repeatedly drove his team on to success, despite setbacks including staff walkouts, in-fighting and mediocre machinery. Plus, find out who the only driver in Ferrari history was to call Enzo by his first name! Matt and Richard will be bringing members an exclusive Q&A episode at the end of Season 3, where they'll answer questions on each of the topics covered. So if you'd like to ask a question about Enzo Ferrari, head to Patreon.com/therace Buy some Colossally merch! Visit The Race Shop Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android A Race Media Production Producer: Jonny Reynolds With special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Enzo Ferrari: From middling racing driver to winning constructor (Part 1)

  Ferrari is the most famous and celebrated marque in motorsport, and one of the most recognisable brands in the world - but how much do you really know about its founder, Enzo Ferrari? If your answer to that question is 'very little' then help is at hand, because Season 3 of And Colossally That's History! is kicking off with a double header of Enzo episodes! On this first episode, Matt Bishop and Enzo Ferrari biographer Richard Williams go back to the very beginning, to explore the events and experiences that helped shape the mindset and attitude of a man who'd build a racing empire. They explain the mystique around his birth, the moment that a young Enzo developed a love of racing, and how his mother helped get him into the motor trade (Enzo having barely survived World War 1). There's also detailed analysis of Enzo's own career behind the wheel, including why he gave up his career as a racing driver to become a team manager, and the key moments that led to him establishing himself as a constructor in his own right - despite him never designing so much as a hubcap in his life. As is usual with Colossally, you can expect amusing anecdotes and amazing anorak facts in abundance, as Matt and Richard bring you right up to the point that Ferrari wins its first world championship Grand Prix at Silverstone, in 1951, before pausing to pick up the rest of the Ferrari story in Part 2. Matt and Richard will be bringing members an exclusive Q&A episode at the end of Season 3, where they'll answer questions on each of the topics covered. So if you'd like to ask a question about Enzo Ferrari, head to Patreon.com/therace Buy some Colossally merch! Visit The Race Shop Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android A Race Media Production Producer: Jonny Reynolds With special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Bernie Ecclestone: His three decades as F1’s most powerful man (Part 2)

  Matt and Richard round off season 2 of the pod with the second half of our mini-series on Bernie Ecclestone, the man who, as F1's long-term commercial rights holder, did more than anyone else to turn the sport into the global spectacle it is today. Having charted his rise to power in part 1, on this episode, Matt and Richard reappraise what life was like with Bernie ruling the F1 paddock, for the most part alongside his old friend (and FIA president) Max Mosley. They discuss how he took control of F1's commercial rights (or stole them, according to Ken Tyrrell), the tactics and methods he used to get what he wanted, how he was able to bring in huge revenue and grow the global fanbase, and the controversies that mired his tenure at the top. Matt and Richard also reflect on Bernie's F1 legacy, and what they learned from the many times they interviewed and interacted with him over the years. Want to listen ad-free? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Buy some Colossally merch! Visit The Race Shop Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android A Race Media Production Producer: Jonny Reynolds With special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Bernie Ecclestone: His rise from used car salesman to F1 supremo (Part 1)

  We're rounding off season 2 of And Colossally That's History with a two-part mini-series on none other than Bernie Ecclestone, who, as Formula 1’s commercial rights holder, was F1’s most powerful individual for nearly 40 years.  Matt and Richard discuss his humble origins, how he built his reputation and wealth in the used car and motorcycle trade, his early exploits in racing, and how he came to manage (and then have to deal with the painful loss of) two F1 drivers. They also discuss his purchase of the Brabham F1 Team, his role in the Formula One Constructors' Association, and how he was able to build his reputation, influence and wealth so quickly. Part 2, on Bernie's 30-plus year spell as F1's ringmaster in chief, coming next week! Want to listen ad-free? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace to take advantage of our special Black Friday offer, where you can get 30% off your first month Buy some Colossally merch! Visit The Race Shop Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android A Race Media Production Producer: Jonny Reynolds With special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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