Top 10 Most Dramatic F1 Moments Ever
#10: The Closest F1 Finish
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Italian GP (1971) Formula One viewers today are spoiled with advanced technology that intricately tracks and records timing down to ten-thousandths of a second. Yet the final lap of the 1971 Italian GP, when timing could only be calculated down to two decimal places, boasts the closest F1 finish, with the top five finishers separated by just over half a second. Monza (MAWN-zuh), pre-chicanes (shuh-CANES), was the fastest track on the 1971 schedule, and the record-breaking speeds meant the grueling race was plagued with engine-related retirements. So when a pack of unexpected leaders found themselves out front with less than ten laps remaining, Peter Gethin (GEH-thin) gave it his all, racing out of the final corner to edge out the win by just one-hundredth of a second.
#9: A Championship Hunt in the Wet
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Japanese GP (1976) Formula One’s Japanese debut is remembered for heavy race day rains, and the controversial decision to proceed with the race was met with severe protests from teams and drivers. Niki Lauda, who was set to complete his miraculous return from a near-fatal accident just six races earlier, retired after only five laps in the treacherous conditions, meaning James Hunt only had to finish fourth to win the title. Hunt pushed his tires to the limit and charged to the lead but was forced to pit when the track began to dry. Working from fifth, Hunt passed two cars in the last three laps to win the championship title by just one point, something he didn’t realize until he stepped out of his car.
#8: Hamilton’s Final Lap Tire Failure
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British GP (2020) It’s a familiar sight to see Lewis Hamilton rounding the final corner of his home race in first place, but at the 2020 British Grand Prix, visions of fireworks and popping champagne turned to clouds of sparks and popping Pirellis. With just a few laps to go, the Mercedes garage held their breath when Valtteri Bottas (VAL-tur-ree BOH-tahss) dropped off the pace with a puncture, and all eyes were on race-leader Hamilton. Just when it seemed that Max Verstappen (mahx vur-STAWPPIN), who’d stopped for a fresh set of tires, would settle for second place, Hamilton’s tire blew out on the final lap. Verstappen was rapidly gaining on the limping leader, but Hamilton managed to wrestle his Mercedes across the line with just three good tires to claim the victory.
#7: Brabham’s Push to the Finish Line (brabbum)
United States GP (1959) Entering the final race of the season, Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss, and Tony Brooks were all in contention for the championship title. However, when Moss retired early with a gearbox issue and Brooks dropped down the order after a teammate collision, Brabham just had to finish the race. With the title in his sights, Brabham’s car ran out of fuel on the final straight. Drivers blew by to take the podium positions, but the rest of the field were still laps down. Brabham buckled down, knowing he just had to take the checkered flag without any help, and pushed his car across the line to finish fourth and win the title.
#6: Schumacher vs. Hill
Australian GP (1994) Damon Hill entered the final race of the season just one point behind rival Michael Schumacher. Schumacher took an early lead while Hill, running in second, fell back. That is until Schumacher brushed the wall, and Hill took his chance, diving down the inside. Schumacher turned in on his rival and was knocked out of the race on two wheels, but Hill’s damaged suspension ruined his chance of winning the title. Many claimed Schumacher hit Hill on purpose, a sentiment that would be reinforced when Schumacher was later disqualified for hitting rival Jacques Villeneuve in 1997. While Schumacher is considered an F1 great, his first championship title was not without the drama that would follow him for the rest of his racing career.
#5: Collins Hands Over His Car
Italian GP (1956) Nicknamed “El Maestro,” or the master, Juan Manuel Fangio (hwan manuel FAN-h’yoh) was well on his way to his fourth series title heading into the final race of the 1956 season. Ferrari teammate Peter Collins and rival Jean Behra (bay-RAH) could claim the title if they won and Fangio finished with no points. However, when Behra retired and Fangio’s car suffered a broken steering arm, Collins was primed to take it all. Ferrari ordered Luigi Musso to give his car to his championship-leading teammate, but Musso ignored the call. In a shocking act of sportsmanship, Collins’ forfeited his chance at the title when he came into the pits, saw his teammate sitting out, and offered Fangio his own car for the final, title-winning, fifteen laps.
#4: Arnoux vs. Villeneuve
French GP (1979) Considered by many to be the greatest battle in Formula One history, it’s hard to believe René Arnoux (arr-NOO) and Gilles Villeneuve’s famous Dijon fight was actually for second place. The drivers swapped positions back and forth over the final few laps in a stunning display of pure nerve and determination coupled with perfectly precise racing skill. Arnoux entered the last lap in front as the French crowd roared, but Villeneuve passed Arnoux into the first turn. When Arnoux attempted to fight back, the two touched wheels, sending Villeneuve off the racing line. Making contact three times, they headed into the final corner of the track two abreast until Villeneuve pulled ahead to win the position by just 0.24 seconds.
#3: Senna vs. Prost
Japanese GP (1989) Suzuka, 1989. The boiling point in Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost’s (ah-LAYN prust french) legendary rivalry remains a controversial debate to this day. Prost led the championship and the race, but six laps from the finish, Senna fought to pull alongside his rival. Neither driver would heed the position, Prost closed the door, and the teammates collided. Prost assumed he’d won the championship, and even though Senna restarted his car and finished the race, the Brazilian was later disqualified for improperly rejoining the track. The controversy nearly caused Senna to quit the sport, and the rage would build to Suzuka the following season when Senna refused to yield into the opening corner and crashed into Prost with vicious intent motivated by the previous year.
#2: Hamilton’s Miraculous Final Sector
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Brazilian GP (2008) Martin Brundle’s iconic “Is that Glock?” echoed the disbelief of everyone watching the 2008 title-deciding finale. Lewis Hamilton was just seven points ahead of Felipe Massa, but Massa led the race while Hamilton soon fell back after complications. With eight laps to go, it began to rain, forcing the front-runners to pit for wet tires, except for Timo Glock. After running wide, Hamilton was still in sixth place when Massa crossed the finish line in first. The title looked to be Massa’s, but Glock had lost all grip. In the final bend, Hamilton took back fifth place to win his first title by an unbelievably close margin. In a last-lap sentiment that would take on an entirely different meaning in 2021, Hamilton was rendered speechless. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Grosjean’s Fiery Crash, Bahrain GP (2020) (gro-jean) The Frenchman’s 28 Second Escape From Death Surtees Wins the Title, Mexican GP (1964) (sur-tease) A British Trio’s Last Lap Showdown Niki Lauda’s Comeback, Italian GP (1976) Lauda’s “Ghostly” but Unbelievable Act of Bravery Mansell’s Tire Blowout, Australian GP (1986) (mansle) A Near-Champion’s Title Hopes Dashed in an Instant Fangio Flat Out, German GP (1957) El Maestro’s Famous Drive to Victory
#1: The 2021 Championship Decider
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Abu Dhabi GP (2021) While the aftermath of the 2021 season has seen controversial speculations fly about the finale feeling a little too similar to a Hollywood script, the rivalry between 7-time world champ Lewis Hamilton and young up-and-comer Max Verstappen was action-packed up until the very last lap. When a late crash led to a safety car, Hamilton maintained his lead while Verstappen pitted, placing several lapped cars between the rivals. However, in a last-minute reversal, lapped cars were let past the safety car, leveling the leaders with one final green flag lap to race. Verstappen, on newer tires, passed Hamilton, and while Hamilton fought up to the very last corner, Verstappen would emerge victorious to win his first championship title.
