Fatal Accidents Formula 1: The 5 most recent fatal crashes
The history of motorsport has many great moments, but sadly, it has also seen many deep valleys. Serious fatal crashes in Formula 1 have been common and regularly the drivers have been fatal. But when were the last 5 fatal crashes where someone was killed? And who were these heroes?
Elio De Angelis (15 May 1986 – Circuit Paul Ricard)
Races: 109
Victories: 2
Podiums: 9
Elio De Angelis died after a crash during a test drive at Circuit Paul Ricard. The Italian’s Brabham BT55 flew off the track and caught fire after it overturned. Unfortunately, the rescue services were not there quickly enough, which contributed to the tragic outcome. De Angelis could not be extracted from the car in time and died of smoke poisoning.
He was known as a very talented and musical person, who was well-liked within the Formula 1 community.
Roland Ratzenberger (30 April 1994 – San Marino Grand Prix)
Races 3
Roland Ratzenberger died during qualifying for the San Marino Grand Prix at the Imola circuit. A front wing of his Simtek-Ford broke off, causing the Austrian to lose control of his car and crash into an unsecured concrete wall at high speed.
Ratzenberger’s career in Formula 1 was short but significant. Before his time in Formula 1, he had success in Japanese racing classes and participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Ayrton Senna (1 May 1994 – San Marino Grand Prix)
Races: 161
Championships: 3 (1988, 1990, 1991)
Victories: 41
Podiums: 80
Ayrton Senna, who does not know him, one of the most vaunted drivers in Formula 1 history. The Brazilian died after crashing into a concrete wall in the Tamburello corner at the Imola circuit. Bizarrely, Ratzenberger died a day earlier in the same Grand Prix. Senna’s Williams FW16 ran off the track, probably due to a steering fracture.
His intense rivalry with Alain Prost is legendary, and he is still regarded as one of the greatest drivers of all time.
María de Villota (3 July 2012 – Circuit Duxford Airfield)
María de Villota did not drive a single F1 race, but she was a test driver for the Marussia F1 team. The Spanish had a crash during a straight-line test at the Duxford Airfield Circuit. She collided with a truck belonging to the team. Although she survived the crash, she sadly died a year later from neurological injuries.
Although De Villota never competed in a Formula 1 race, she did break through as one of the few women in the highest class of motorsport. Her work off the track, especially aimed at promoting women in motorsport, remains influential.
Jules Bianchi (5 October 2014 – Grand Prix Japan 2014)
Races: 34
The most recent fatal accident in Formula 1, was at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. Jules Bianchi was seriously injured when he lost control of his Marussia in wet weather and collided with a recovery vehicle. After a nine-month coma, the Frenchman died of his injuries.
His talent and potential were widely recognised in the Formula 1 community, and many believed he was on his way to a successful career in the sport.
The life-saving HALO
A total of 50 drivers have died in f1 crashes. Fortunately, Formula 1 is not sitting still. In 2018, for instance, the ‘HALO’ was introduced to prevent accidents in Formula 1. Consequently, this safety feature has already prevented several serious accidents or deaths. For example, Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean owes his life to this innovation, during his accident in 2020. The HALO is proving to be very effective so far.
