• December 23 down the years

Assassination attempt halts Moscow GP plans

2000
Deputy mayor of Moscow Joseph Ordzhonikidze was critically injured when gunmen sprayed his car with more than 30 bullets. Although Ordzhonikidze survived, his chauffer was killed. Police immediately focused on a deal done by Tom Walkinshaw to build an F1 circuit in the country - the deal was believed to have angered Moscow's criminal bosses who wanted to build a casino on the site.

1956
Michele Alboreto was born in Milan, Italy. He raced in 194 grand prix between 1981 and 1994, most notably for Ferrari. Although he won five races, the best result he could manage in the championship was 2nd in 1985. After retiring from F1 he became a highly successful sports car driver winning the Sebring 12 hour race and the Le Mans 24 hour. He was killed when an Audi R8 he was testing suffered a blow out launching the car into a wall. Fellow Italian Gaincarlo Fisichella dedicated his podium finish at the 2005 Italian Grand Prix to him, "I know Alboreto was the last Italian on the podium at Monza before me. I was lucky enough to race together with him in touring cars, and he was a great person, really special. I want to dedicate the result to his memory."

1962
Bertrand Gachot was born in Luxembourg, and although he entered 84 grand prix between 1989 and 1995 he managed to qualify for just 47 events. Despite never finishing higher than fifth, he did manage to record the fastest lap in the 1991 Hungarian Grand Prix driving a Jordan. He was the first driver to race under the EU colours .

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