Although more and more people nowadays have realized what a fantastic drink with a meal champagne can be, the drink is still primarily the great symbol of celebration and joy. In sports contexts, the drink is almost mandatory, not least in the Formula 1 circus.
The tradition of the winner squirting himself and the others on the podium arose in 1966 when the cork flew out of the hot bottle of champagne awarded to Jo Siffert after the victory in Le Mans. The following year, the champagne splash was repeated, albeit intentionally, by the winner Dan Gurney – and so this victory ritual was born.
