Worst 5 Formula 1 crashes

Very often than we’d like, Formula 1 experiences some terrible incidents that, possibly, scar the driver for the rest of his life. Some of these crashes have been fatal, some near and others almost graphic enough to be declared ‘unbelievable’. Ayrton Senna lost his life because of a crash, Niki Lauda almost did, Schumacher severely hurt his leg and Kubica shook the world with his accident.

The following is an insight into the risky side of a Formula 1 driver’s life. These are the 5 most terrible crashes. We do hope they don’t repeat. Ever.

#5 2012, Belgium Grand Prix.

The expressions “…and that qualifies for a typical Grosjean moment!” comes to mind. Courtesy of Steve Slater.

Romain Grosjean clips the side of Lewis Hamilton and this leads to quite a terrible crash. Caught in the midst was a Sauber and Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard had no clue what was happening, and in a fraction of a second, he’s lost a lot of his car because of Hamilton’s. Also, Grosjean’s car flies in the air and passes by the front nose of Alonso. The latter is extremely lucky that the Lotus didn’t come further up. This was on the opening lap on the first turn.

Thanks to numerous safety inclusions, nothing serious happened to any of the drivers with their cars talking the brunt of it all. Not often do we see a crash as bad as this.

# 4 1999, British Grand Prix, Silverstone.

Michael Schumacher breaks leg after crashing into the tyre wall.

Ferrari driver, Michael Schumacher, was subject to a massive crash at the Silverstone circuit in England. The crash might not look too risky but notice the speed at which the German crashes into the wall. He eventually broke his leg and sat out of most of the season. The injury was career-threatening and it still stands as one of the worst crashes the British Grand Prix has ever seen.

# 3 1994, Imola.

Ayrton Senna.

According to me, this is the worst crash in Formula 1 history. It took away an incredible ambassador of the sport and it took away much more than that. Ayrton Senna crashed into the barricades at blinding speeds and although he seemed fine at first, he wasn’t. Overhead cameras (helicopters) capture no moment of the driver post-accident. This is when the unthinkable is imagined and the stewards wave red. En route to the hospital in the helicopter, Ayrton Senna, one of the greatest drivers to have ever lived, passed away.

# 2 2007, Montreal.

Robert Kubica shook the racing world with a horrific accident!

Robert Kubica hits a wall at extremely high speeds, topples, rolls across the track and hits another barrier. The speed at which he hit was really high and he almost crashed into 2 other drivers. Kubica was taken to the hospital and was declared ‘stable’ on arrival. The driver was really lucky to have escaped serious injuries.

# 1 1976, Germany.

Niki Lauda.

Niki Lauda lost control of his car upon entering the turn, hits the barrier, spins several times and stops in the middle of the track only to get hit by another car at extremely high speeds. The injuries to Lauda are plenty and nearly fatal. The Austrian almost tasted death. Just before the start of the race, Niki had spoken about not participating due to safety reasons. In the end, however, he did and he also proved why he refused to begin with.