Top 3 Biggest F1 Australian Grand Prix Crashes

#1 Turn 1 in 2002

Ralf Schumacher was launched into the air at the start of the race 17 years ago.

When one thinks of a huge crash in Formula 1, most usually think of the huge pile-up at the beginning of the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix, but 4 years later in Australia, there was a similarly spectacular crash.

Eight cars out of the 22 vehicle grid were taken out at the first corner, over a third of the field. Rubens Barrichello claimed pole for the race and led into Turn 1, but Ralf Schumacher's Williams made sure that the Brazilian didn't get any further, as he slammed into the back of the F2001.

R Schumacher was launched into the air (must be all the kangaroos in Australia causing cars to hop) and would eventually end up in the grass on the far side of the circuit. Needless to say, both were out, but they weren't the only ones.

The uncertainty of the drivers ahead caused the likes of Giancarlo Fisichella to spin and lose control, ending up with Felipe Massa, Olivier Panis, Jenson Button, Nick Heidfeld and Allan McNish all joining the Italian in the pits for the remainder of the race.

Michael Schumacher, an expert at avoiding the chaos around him, avoided the carnage to eventually win the race by a comfortable 18 seconds from Juan Pablo Montoya. Mark Webber would steal the headlines, though, the Aussie finishing fifth on his F1 debut for Minardi and standing on the podium alongside Paul Stoddart.

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But what do you think is the biggest ever crash down under? One of the three we listed or another wreck? Let us know in the comments below!