On This Day in the History of Formula 1 | 14 December December 14 is one of those quiet winter dates that still carries real Formula 1 texture. It begins with Bob Drake, born in 1919, a true privateer who would later take the legendary Maserati 250F to its final World Championship appearance at Riverside in 1960. Decades on, the day links to a modern Italian chapter with Antonio Giovinazzi, born in 1993, whose path ran through Ferrari and onto the F1 grid. The off-season also loves its decisive

Privateer ships were licensed by the crown to go fight Britain’s enemies, in a practice dating back to the time of Elizabeth I’s ‘Sea Dogs’ of the 16th century. Watch – Chairman and ceramics specialist, John Axford, introduce a fascinating, small collection of engraved, English privateer glasses dating from around 1760. This historic group opens next week’s British & Continental Ceramics & Glass auction on Thursday 22nd January 2026. Viewings will take place at our Old Sarum Galleries alongside