October 23 1977 — a day that should have marked Formula 1’s triumphant return to Japan. Instead, the Fuji Speedway finale became a haunting chapter in the sport’s story.

In The Day That Darkened Fuji, we revisit James Hunt’s final victory — a race overshadowed by tragedy when Gilles Villeneuve’s Ferrari crashed, claiming two lives and silencing celebrations. As the fallout reshaped Formula 1’s attitude to safety and logistics, Hunt quietly walked away from his last win — and Fuji itself would not host another Grand Prix for three decades.

Alongside that fateful race, we celebrate the birth of Alex Zanardi — a man whose later resilience would redefine courage — recall John Surtees’ final triumph in the 1966 Mexican Grand Prix, and fast-forward to modern America for Hamilton’s 50th win in 2016 and Verstappen’s dominance in 2022.

From heartbreak at Fuji to hope and heroism beyond, it’s a story of how one date in October forever changed the course of Formula 1.

Cover Image: From F1dimension, CC BY 4.0, Link

Music by #Mubert Music Rendering