An F1 standing start is one of the great spectacles in sport. But it
doesn’t always go according to plan,
quite similar to Indian political scenario. First lap collisions are an occupational hazard for F1
drivers. Keeping a cool head and staying out of trouble during the hustle and
bustle of the opening lap is an essential skill that all successful drivers
must possess.
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| STAND UP & RACE |
When it all goes wrong, it goes wrong in
a big way. Then there is no turning back. Barely a race goes by without some form
of contact between cars on the first tour of the circuit. Imagine a
novice driving down the crowded lanes of old Delhi. Anger management put to
sword!!!
I will
give a few examples of how things can take a terrible turn on the track.
2002 Australian Grand Prix
Eight retirements, race not stopped
The 2002 Formula 1 season began with a bang.
Ralf Schumacher, who had started brilliantly from third on the grid, was caught
out by the early braking of pole sitter Rubens Barrichello on the approach to
turn one and was launched over the Ferrari into the air( somewhat similar to
the bollywood masala stuff), Both were
out on the spot.
The instant elimination of more than a
third of the 22 starters led to a fairytale debut for Mark Webber. As they say someone’s loss is someone’s
gain.
1998 Belgian Grand Prix
Four retirements, race stopped
Spa Francorchamps has seen its fair
share of accidents since it was created 90 years ago, but few could match the
sheer scale of the infamous first lap pile up of 1998.
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| ERROR CAN CAUSE FIRE |
The race began in the type of biblical deluge which regularly
affects the Belgian Grand Prix. But race control called for a normal standing
start instead of commencing the race behind the safety car.
Initially,
all went well, as all 22 cars negotiated the tight La Source corner
successfully. But on the run down the hill towards Eau Rouge, all hell broke
loose. David Coulthard’s McLaren snapped
sideays into a barrier.
On the narrow track, shrouded by a wall of spray, the
consequences were inevitable – all but a lucky handful of drivers behind
Coulthard escaped from the clutches of the multicoloured mass of carbon fibre
sliding down the hill.
In total 13 drivers were caught up, but some managed to start
again.
1998 Canadian Grand Prix
No retirements, race stopped
In its 32-year history, the Circuit
Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal has developed a reputation for causing chaotic
races. The 1998 Grand Prix was no exception. The race saw numerous accidents
and overtakes, four safety cars and even a long overdue penalty for reckless
driving for Michael Schumacher.
But many fans will remember the race for one thing – the
sight of Alexander Wurz barrel-rolling into the gravel trap at the first corner
of the race.
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| THESE ARE THE 80,000 PIECES |
The
Austrian started well from 11th, but tried too hard to squeeze down the inside
of Jean Alesi and ended up on the grass. Their wheels connected and Wurz was
flipped upside down, taking Johnny Herbert andJarno Trulli with
him.
Fortunately for these four, the race was red-flagged and all
four were able to take the restart in their spare or repaired cars. Incredibly Wurz
finished 4th. Now that’s a kind of skill Narain needs to
incorporate.
2006
United States Grand Prix
Seven retirements, race not stopped
After the disaster that was the six-car
2005 United States Grand Prix, the onus was on Formula 1 to put on a good show
at Indianapolis the following season. (Remember the same race at which Narain
won his only points) The elimination of more than a third of the field in two
separate first lap accidents was hardly a ideal start.
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| ONE ON ONE |
At the back of the field, Mark Webber, Franck Montagny and
Christian Klien retired after the latter clipped Webber’s rear wheel going into
Turn 1. He spun into the path of the oncoming pack and almost tipped Webber’s
Williams. Though the events seemed comical, they were really serious.
Yet this incident appeared tame in comparison to the
shenanigans just up the road at Turn 2, as Juan Pablo Montoya unwittingly set
off a devastating chain reaction. Fortunately no-one was hurt, and the
spectators were at least left with a slightly less depleted field than the one
they’d seen the year before.
Thank God the
security arrangements are not as slow as the police in India; otherwise we
would have lost our drivers. So it’s not always hunky dory at the F1 circuit.
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