At the 2021 Monza Grand Prix, the rivalry escalated between Lewis Hamilton and championship leader Max Verstappen. The two pilots harpooned and gave up. There are hundreds of clashes in F1. Here are 10 that have marked the writing of L’argus.
In Formula 1, the Max Verstappen – Lewis Hamilton duel for the 2021 world champion title has just taken a new turn. The two pilots, who have been looking for each other since the start of the season, have just found each other! It happened at the Monza Grand Prix on September 12th. The Briton and the Dutchman clashed halfway through the race, just after the pit straight. War is declared between the two men, especially since Max was held responsible for this accident, which sent the two cars to the ground.
There are hundreds of clashes in F1, here are the ones that particularly marked the drafting of Argus.
TO READ. F1. The drivers and the teams for the 2022 season
Leclerc – Vettel (2020 and 2019)
In 2019 and 2020, Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc drive together at Ferrari. The German rider has to deal with the talented Monegasque rider (fresh off), ready to do anything to get on the podium. At the end of the 2019 season, in Brazil, Leclerc is ahead of Vettel by one point in the general classification. During the 66e turn, Vettel falls back on Leclerc, whom he has just passed. The two men slash and self-eliminate!
A few months before, at the 2020 Styrian Grand Prix, Leclerc tried to overtake several competitors by going inside the bend a few seconds after the start. Too optimistic, he climbs on the vibrator and stamps his teammate Vettel from which he tears off his rear spoiler. It is the abandonment for the two pilots …
Ricciardo – Verstappen (2018)
The 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was animated within the Red Bull team between Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo. The fiery Dutch did not let go of his more seasoned teammate. On several occasions, the two men fail to collide. At 40e turn of the race, it is the drama. In the long main straight, Daniel Ricciardo tries to pass Verstappen who wants to prevent him. The Red Bull n ° 3 hits the n ° 33. The two protagonists are forced to give up.
Verstappen – Raïkkonen – Vettel (2017)
On September 17, 2017, the Singapore Grand Prix kicked off overnight, just a few minutes after a heavy downpour. Not all riders have made the same choice of tires. Ferraris and Red Bulls start in the middle. When the lights went out, Verstappen got off to a good start and quickly found himself sandwiched between the cars of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raïkkonen. The accident is inevitable and creates cascading clashes.
Hamilton – Rosberg (2016)
In Spain that year, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg fought to take the lead in the barely launched Grand Prix. In the 1er turn, while tampering with his steering wheel, the German pilot swerves from the trajectory. Hamilton who took the suction of his teammate to overtake him swerves to the right where space is minimal. The Briton, 4 wheels in the grass, slips, spins and comes to harpoon Rosberg’s Mercedes. The two single-seaters will run aground in the gravel …
Alonso – Raikkonen (2015)
That year in Austria, from 1er tour, Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen gave the spectators an artistic figure! At the exit of the Remus bend, the Finnish driver loses control of his Ferrari and collides with Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard’s McLaren takes off and passes a few centimeters above Räikkonen’s cockpit to finally get stuck between the Ferrari and the rail. An impressive accident, and fortunately not serious.
Grosjean (2012)
Romain Grosjean will remember this Belgian 2012 Grand Prix for a long time. In the 1er turn, a few hectometers from the hairpin of the source, the Frenchman caused a huge accident by shifting to the right of the track. Lewis Hamilton then could not avoid it. The Lotus takes off, collides with Fernando Alonso while Hamilton comes to harpoon Sergio Pérez and Kamui Kobayashi. For this maneuver, Grosjean received a heavy fine and was suspended for a race.
Schumacher (2002)
At 1er corner of the 2002 Australian Grand Prix, Ralf Schumacher takes support on the Ferrari of Rubbens Barrichello. His Williams-BMW takes off. A total of eight single-seaters will be involved in the pile-up.
Coulthard (1998)
This 1998 Belgian Grand Prix will go down in the annals of monumental pilots… David Coulthard, qualified in the front row, made a mistake in the rain. He then crashed into the pit wall on the descent to the Raidillon. His single-seater crossed the track twice in front of the other single-seaters which could not avoid the accident due to the lack of visibility and the narrowness of the track at this point. 13 cars will be involved! Only 8 will pass the checkered flag.
Schumacher – Hill (1994)
In Australia, at the final round of the season, the battle rages between Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill. A point separates the two pilots who both want to conquer the world crown. Unfortunately for the British pilot, to 36e turn of a bitter battle, the German hits him. If the Benetton give up on the spot, the Williams manages to return to the pits, but the damage will be too great. Schumi takes the 1994 title!
Prost – Senna (1990 and 1989)
As in 1988, and in 1989, the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix must decide between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost for the drivers’ world title. That year, the Frenchman took off better than the Brazilian, but the latter remained in his exhausts. At 1er corner, Prost thinks he has enough room to turn. But, the front-left of the McLaren collides with the rear-right of the Ferrari. The two cars finish their race in the gravel trap. Prost lost the title, which he had won the year before under similar circumstances.
In 1989, still at Suzuka, the two pilots then at McLaren cling to the 47e tower. Wheels tangled, Senna ended up returning to the track and won the Grand Prix, from which he was ultimately disqualified!
