With no World Championship Grand Prix on 1 February, Chequered Past takes a step sideways to explore one of Formula One’s most enduring curiosities: why greatness forged on motorcycles has so rarely translated into success on four wheels.
Anchored by Valentino Rossi’s Ferrari test in 2006, this episode traces a lineage that stretches back well before Formula One itself. From Bernd Rosemeyer’s instinct-led rise in the pre-war era, through John Surtees’ unique mastery of both disciplines, to the contrasting careers of Jean Behra, Mike Hailwood, and Johnny Cecotto, the story reveals how opportunity, structure, and tolerance for adaptation steadily narrowed over time.
It’s a history of extraordinary talent meeting an increasingly unforgiving sport — and a reminder that while Formula One has often been tempted by motorcycle champions, it has rarely made space for them to succeed.
A reflective episode about instinct, authority, and why one crossover still stands alone.
Music by #Mubert Music Rendering
