Formula 1, one of the sports organizations that first comes to mind when it comes to motor sports, appeared at the Istanbul Park track in our country. Formula 1 races, where 10 teams with 2 pilots each compete against each other, unfortunately can be the scene of very bad accidents due to a moment of carelessness or a small misfortune.
Although Formula 1 cars, which can exceed 350 km/h on the straight, are protected, the slightest mistake made at these speeds can lead to major disasters. As in aviation, rules and vehicle modifications in Formula 1 races may change with accidents. If you wish, let’s take a look at the unforgettable accidents in the history of Formula 1.
Jules Bianchi’s 2014 Japanese Grand Prix crash caused by tornadoes:
One of the most memorable accidents of Formula 1 undoubtedly occurred in the race held in Japan in 2014. The Suzuka track was under heavy rain on the day of the race, and this caused both the road to be slippery and visibility to be restricted. The cause of the disaster that would occur was the hurricanes approaching from the coast of Japan.
The race started and, like every Formula 1 race that takes place in heavy rainy weather, the pilots were very careful in this race. On the 42nd lap of the race, Sauber driver Adrian Suti lost control of his car, spun and went off the road. A tow truck came to the area to remove the vehicle of Adrian Suti, who had to leave the race, but the race continued.
Exactly one lap later, the young pilot named Jules Bianchi lost control of his vehicle at the same place. The vehicle Bianchi was in continued to move directly under the tow truck without slowing down, and then the collision occurred.
Jules Bianchi was not responding to any radio messages sent by the Marussia team. When the medical teams reached Bianchi, it was understood that the situation was very bad. At the end of the 9-month struggle in the hospital, Jules Bianchi breathed his last and passed away on July 17, 2015.
The accident from which Robert Kubica miraculously survived (2007 Canadian Grand Prix)
The Canadian Grand Prix held in 2007 hosted perhaps one of the most frightening yet miraculous accidents in history. The spectators who watched the race, which was very exciting until the 27th lap, suddenly became filled with fear and anxiety. This was because a vehicle that was about to be destroyed ended up on the grass.
The BMW-Sauber driven by Robert Kubica first went onto the grass next to the track. Then suddenly the front of the bouncing vehicle took off. The vehicle, which was completely out of control, went straight ahead and crashed into the concrete barrier. The vehicle, which rolled over to the other side of the road, was shattered into pieces, and Robert Kubica, who was inside the vehicle, could only be seen moving his arms slightly.
The first reason why this accident was miraculous was that Robert Kubica did not suffer any serious injuries. Kubica escaped with minor injuries from his car, which was shattered into pieces after hitting the wall at high speed. This accident, which could have been fatal for the pilot, could also have been fatal for the audience. Because the barrier that Kubica hit was shorter than the other barriers on the track. If the Formula 1 car, whose front was already airborne, had bounced from there, it would have flown into the audience on the opposite side. Fortunately, the accident did not cause any serious injuries.
The accident that shows how life-saving safety measures are (Michael Schumacher, British Grand Prix, 1999)
As the calendar showed 1999, what would happen at the Silverstone track would reveal how important and necessary the improved safety measures were. Michael Schumacher, one of Formula 1’s most successful pilots, would not have been a driver if it weren’t for the enhanced safety measures on the track that day. He could have lost his life as well as his championship.
Schumacher, driving the Ferrari car, faced a technical problem in the first lap of the race, and this problem was not something to be taken lightly. While Schumacher was speeding along the long straight, which was very suitable for cars to pass each other, he started to apply the brakes near the bend. The car was heading off the track at almost 200 km/h when he sensed a problem with the brakes.
The Ferrari, whose brakes were not working properly, first went to the edge of the track full of gravel and then crashed into the tire barriers. Schumacher, who was immediately rushed to the hospital, fortunately survived the accident with only a broken foot. He was away from the tracks for six weeks.
Niki Lauda’s legendary redemption (German Grand Prix, 1976)
The 1976 German Grand Prix crash, one of the most well-known accidents in Formula 1, was also the beginning of a great success story. The Nürburgring track, considered one of the most dangerous tracks in the world and nicknamed the Green Hell, was going to host one of the events that would live up to its name.
Although the weather conditions that day caused safety concerns, officials did not cancel the race. Moreover, Niki Lauda initiated a vote to cancel the race, and this vote was rejected by one vote. When the race started, the lack of safety materials meant that a major disaster was about to happen. As a matter of fact, it happened. The Ferrari driven by Niki Lauda first went off the road, then crashed into the wall and burst into flames, stopping in the middle of the road.
Lauda was held captive inside the burning vehicle. Niki Lauda, whose body was covered in burns and had serious injuries in his lungs, was taken out of the vehicle and taken to the hospital where he lay in a coma. While the entire Formula 1 community thought he would not survive, he miraculously survived. Just a few weeks later he was behind the wheel again.
Tamburello accident, which separated Ayrton Senna from the F1 community (San Marino Grand Prix, 1994)
The San Marino Grand Prix hosted many disasters in 1994. There are accidents in every season of Formula 1, but 1994 was a year that we wish had never happened for Formula 1. In particular, the San Marino Grand Prix held that year left its name on the dirtiest pages of Formula 1 history.
On Friday, the day of qualifying, Rubens Barrichello’s car took off and the wheel hit the barriers. Barrichello survived this accident with a broken nose. In the other qualifying rounds held just a day later, the first death on the track occurred. Roland Ratzenberger crashed into the concrete wall and died at the scene. Two accidents on two days in a row was something rarely seen in Formula 1. But the San Marino curse would not be limited to this.
On race day, Ayrton Senna started the race in pole position. Shortly after, there was a minor accident in the race; The safety car remained on the track until the 6th lap. Later, as the race continued under the leadership of Ayrton Senna, everyone was watching him, unaware of what would happen just one lap later. At the Tamburello corner, Ayrton Senna lost control of the steering wheel. He went straight out of the Tamburello corner, which was taken too fast, and crashed into the wall. Senna, whose heartbeat slowed down at the scene, died a day later.
Grosjean’s Bahrain GP crash, 2020:
The safety measures taken by Formula 1 include separation technology, which allows the cockpit of the cars to move away from the fuel tank in major accidents, and fire-resistant overalls. These measures saved the life of Romain Grosjean, who crashed into the barriers at the 2020 Bahrain GP and his car turned into a ball of fire. After the burns on his hands healed, the pilot continued to find seats in different series.
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