“Motorsport is dangerous”. Motorsport is dangerous: this is the phrase that has been reported for years on all passes or tickets for access to English racetracks, with which we want to remember that motor racing is indeed characterized by spectacle, overtaking and celebrations sports, but also from accidents. The result of this ‘formula’ can be identified in one of the most incredible races ever: the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix.
A GP that was held exactly 24 years ago, the August 30, 1998, and which is still remembered today not only for the countless number of accidents that occurred during an event – fortunately all without consequences – but for one in particular who almost degenerated into physical contact between two pilots, this time outside the cars and bare hands. To understand what happened it is necessary to go back in time on the circuit of Spa-Francorchampsand to open an umbrella.
That Sunday, in fact, a heavy one fell rain since the early hours of the morning, to the point that the Race Direction seriously questioned the start from the grid, thus resorting to a start launched behind the Safety Car. An option that was discarded, however, but with consequences destined to remain epic: in the midst of the world championship battle between Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher, the Finn started from pole position, keeping the lead at the exit of the first corner. Behind him, total chaos: with the impact against the barriers of his teammate, David Coulthard, the Scotsman bounced in the middle of the track, creating a carom of unprecedented cars and no future replicas. In a total tangle of cars, well 13 of these remained involved in the accident, still today the one with the greater number of ko cars
Once the track was cleared of debris, and with four cars unable to start again, the second start reserved other surprises: in this case, the negative protagonist was Hakkinen, who at first lost leadership on Damon Hill’s Jordan, and later turned around following a slight contact with Schumacher. Stuck in the middle of the track, Herbert was unable to avoid the impact with the Finn, ending the race for both of them. On the same lap, Coulthard also went off the track again, this time with Wurz. Unlike his teammate, his race did not end.
Meanwhile, Schumacher he then took the lead on Hill, heading for potential victory. With Hakkinen out of the game, and with Coulthard at the bottom of the standings, the German from Ferrari prepared to sink a heavy blow to the Finn in the world championship, at least until lap 26: in an attempt to overtake Coulthard in the descent towards PouhonSchumacher could not avoid a violent rear-end collision with the Scotsman’s car, suddenly slowed down on the straight. With the car destroyed on the front, Schumacher still managed to return to the pits on two wheels, as did his opponent, without the rear wing. Having got out of the car, enraged by the maneuver, the German headed towards the McLaren garage, intent on resolving the matter face to face with Coulthard. There brawl between the two she was sedated by the intervention of the mechanics of Woking, as well as by Domenicali and Todt, who took their pilot away by force.
Meanwhile, other accidents occurred on the track, so much so that only eight cars finished the race. It was to stay out of trouble Damon Hillwho won for the 22nd and last time in his career, giving above all the first success of history a la Jordan. For the Irish team, the party was even bigger with the 2nd place of Ralf Schumacher, who realized the first and only shotgun for Eddie Jordan’s team. Third place, finally, for Jean Alesi, at his 32nd and last podium.
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