#ivan capelli

ESPN's "How do you pronounce your name?" segment, 1989 Portuguese Grand Prix

Very sad to hear of the death of Michael Turner (1934-2025), famed for his motor racing and aviation paintings.

I'll always associate him most with Formula 1. I don't follow it so much now but was a big fan in the 80's and 90's. Enjoying a brief period in the limelight in that period was cult favourite Leyton House Racing (originally the March team) and two of their best remembered moments are captured here by Michael. His main problem with the Leyton House car was probably knowing what colour to paint it (Turquoise? Miami Blue? Bit of both?). To this day it probably still causes Tamiya model kit painters problems.

Top picture is the 1988 Portuguese Grand Prix with Ivan Capelli in the Leyton House having just out-braked and passed Ayrton Senna in his McLaren Honda for second place (Alain Prost was first in the other McLaren).

Second picture is Prost in the Ferrari at the 1990 French Grand Prix with Capelli just behind. Capelli nearly won the race but Prost had overtaken him just a few laps from the end. Capelli's second place would remain the team's best result. Gutted.