In Formula 1, milestone numbers and historic celebrations often seem to come with an unexpected touch of bad luck. Reaching a 1,000th Grand Prix is a remarkable achievement for any team, yet recent examples suggest that such landmark events have coincided with disappointing results and unforeseen setbacks, fuelling the idea of a mysterious “curse” that strikes precisely when a team is preparing to celebrate its history.
The Ferrari case: Mugello 2020
On 13 September 2020, Ferrari celebrated its 1,000th Formula 1 Grand Prix at its own Mugello circuit in Tuscany. It was a special occasion, organised during the COVID-19 pandemic to honour the most successful team in Formula 1 history.
However, the race quickly turned into an unpredictable spectacle. Multiple accidents, red flags and chaotic race conditions created headlines for reasons very different from those Ferrari had hoped for.
The two Maranello cars finished well away from the front, with Charles Leclerc crossing the line in eighth place and Sebastian Vettel finishing tenth. There was no podium, no victory and no major result to mark such an important milestone.
Instead of a triumphant celebration, Ferrari left its 1,000th Grand Prix with a sense of disappointment. Despite the enormous media attention and the pride associated with reaching such a historic achievement, the on-track result failed to match the significance of the occasion.
The McLaren case: Monaco 2026
Six years later, it was McLaren’s turn to celebrate its own 1,000th Formula 1 Grand Prix, although many observers still argue that the true milestone will officially arrive at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.
Appropriately, the event took place at Monaco, the very circuit where the team made its Formula 1 debut in 1966 with Bruce McLaren. The Woking-based squad prepared extensively for the occasion, unveiling a special commemorative livery, welcoming former drivers and creating an atmosphere filled with history, nostalgia and expectation.
Yet once again, the race itself failed to deliver the perfect ending.
In a chaotic Monaco Grand Prix marked by retirements, incidents and reliability concerns, Lando Norris was forced to retire from the race. Oscar Piastri salvaged the weekend with a fourth-place finish, a respectable result but still far from the victory or double podium that many had envisioned for such a significant celebration.
McLaren completed its 1,000th Grand Prix with dignity and pride, but without the crowning achievement that would have transformed the occasion into a truly unforgettable sporting success.
A recurring pattern
In both cases, a striking similarity emerges. At the exact moment when these legendary Formula 1 teams were celebrating one of the greatest milestones in their history, unexpected obstacles appeared and limited their performance.
Accidents, reliability issues or simply unfortunate race circumstances seemed to intervene at precisely the wrong time. Whether it was Ferrari at Mugello or McLaren at Monaco, neither team managed to fully enjoy the sporting success that many expected from such landmark occasions.
Of course, this does not necessarily point to a genuine supernatural curse. More realistically, it is a coincidence that has repeated itself often enough to capture the imagination of Formula 1 fans.
Nevertheless, motorsport has always been a discipline where symbolism and superstition play a surprisingly important role. When a pattern emerges, supporters are often quick to interpret it as a sign of fate rather than mere chance.
Will Williams be next?
If this curious trend continues, another historic Formula 1 team could eventually find itself facing the same situation. Williams, one of the sport’s most iconic names, may one day approach its own 1,000th Grand Prix milestone.
The Grove-based team currently stands on 881 Grand Prix starts, leaving it 119 races away from the 1,000-race mark. With Formula 1 calendars now averaging around 24 Grands Prix per season, Williams could realistically reach that milestone within the next five or six years, assuming the team remains on the grid.
Should that moment arrive, it would not be surprising to see fans joking about the possibility of the “1,000th Grand Prix curse” striking once again. Whether through bad luck, reliability problems or simply an underwhelming result, the narrative would almost certainly reappear.
Formula 1 has repeatedly shown that milestone events bring enormous emotional pressure. Expectations rise, celebrations become larger and the spotlight intensifies. Under those circumstances, even a minor setback can quickly transform a party into a moment of reflection.
The supposed curse of the 1,000th Grand Prix may therefore continue to live on, ready to resurface whenever another team reaches one of the most prestigious milestones in motorsport history.
Ultimately, it is this unique combination of historic glory, human vulnerability and sporting unpredictability that makes Formula 1 such a fascinating spectacle. Success and disappointment often exist side by side, and sometimes even the greatest celebrations cannot escape the unpredictable nature of racing.
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