Bernie Ecclestone may be responsible for a "hefty chunk" of F1's global success, but he has also often found himself at the heart of controversy. The reason for both? He's fearless, writes Matt Bishop

Gunnar Nilsson never had time to deliver on his F1 championship-winning potential, writes Matt Bishop. Claimed by cancer after only two brilliant grand prix seasons, the Lotus driver nevertheless continues to inspire

For over 40 years, we knew Murray Walker as the voice of Formula 1. Matt Bishop recalls his candid stories when the "greatest motor sport commentator" was off air

Ron Dennis’s calm and reserved air has led some to make entirely incorrect assumptions about him. Matt Bishop recalls experiences of working in F1 with the former McLaren boss which disprove his cold image

Gilles Villeneuve wrestled the Ferrari 126C to two grand prix wins in 1981, but his podium finish at that year's Canadian Grand Prix in torrential conditions, with a damaged car, should be celebrated too, says Matt Bishop

Felipe Massa did everything he could at the 2008 Brazilian GP to win that year's F1 championship, writes Matt Bishop. Now he's fighting for the same title again, with potential court action on the horizon, and chaos if he wins

Think of the great Formula 1 champions and Jody Scheckter is unlikely to feature. But, writes Matt Bishop, the 1979 title-winner deserves more acclaim for a career in which he was once the best driver, bar none

Monza is one of the original world championship F1 circuits – Matt Bishop writes that the legends of the past can still be felt as the 'Temple of Speed' reverberates to modern-day machines

F1's original Flying Finn made his name with a ragged, opposite-locking and fast driving style. Behind the scenes, Keke Rosberg is no less entertaining, writes Matt Bishop

At the 1976 Dutch GP James Hunt battled against some of F1's fiercest '70s heroes and a crumbling McLaren M23 to win at Zandvoort – its greatest race, says Matt Bishop

Entering F1 together in 2007, Heikki Kovalainen and Lewis Hamilton were both tipped as hot prospects. Many races later, Matt Bishop remembers the Finn's only grand prix victory

Alpine has lost a capable F1 leader after sacking Otmar Szafnauer — and for no good reason, writes Matt Bishop