In Formation – Episode 2: Turbocharged Triumphs & Tragedies (1980s–1990s)

Host: Jamie Muffett

Produced by: RPS Audio

The 1980s and 1990s were two of the most transformative decades in Formula 1 history—an era of immense speed, legendary rivalries, and heartbreaking tragedy. From the turbocharged battles of the '80s to the rise of Schumacher in the '90s, these decades saw the sport evolve in ways that would shape F1 forever.

The 1980s: The Turbo Era & the Prost-Senna Rivalry

• Turbocharged dominance—how F1 cars reached over 1,000 horsepower before turbos were banned.
• McLaren vs. Williams—the two teams that defined the decade.
• Prost vs. Senna, one of the greatest rivalries in F1 history, leading to controversial clashes at Suzuka.
• Niki Lauda’s final championship (1984) and the emergence of Ayrton Senna as a superstar.
• The banning of turbo engines (1989) and the shift to naturally aspirated 3.5L engines.

The 1990s: Triumph, Tragedy & Schumacher’s Rise

• Senna vs. Prost continues, culminating in Suzuka 1990, where Senna controversially secured his title.
• The dominance of Williams, featuring the groundbreaking active suspension technology in 1992.
• The darkest weekend in F1 history—Imola 1994, where the sport tragically lost Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger, forcing F1 to rethink safety.
• Michael Schumacher’s rise, from winning back-to-back championships (1994, 1995) with Benetton to his move to Ferrari.
• The resurgence of McLaren, with Mika Häkkinen’s back-to-back titles (1998, 1999), setting the stage for F1’s next chapter.

Join Jamie Muffett as he takes you through these two thrilling decades of F1, where technology, talent, and tragedy shaped the sport we know today.

🔊 Subscribe and follow In Formation wherever you get your podcasts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.