The very best moments the Austrian Formula 1 Grand Prix has ever known.
Opening image: The Cahier Archive
With the 2014 Austrian GP right around the corner, we decided to select our all time favorite Austrian Grand Prix moments.
Enjoy:
1970 – Jacky Ickx and Clay Regazzoni’s claim famous Ferrari one-two
Formula 1 returns to Austria for the first time in more than half a decade, with a brand new track (The Osterreichring)
1972 – Fittipaldi sets up Championship
Emerson Fittipaldi glides his Lotus to victory against the McLarens of Denny Hulme and Peter Revson, carving himself an unbeatable lead in the Championship.
1975 – Vittorio Brambilla’s infamous “Win and Spin”
We’ve laughed about “Spin and Wins” in the past – when a driver spins out only to regain control and win the race, however in 1975 things went down in reverse. Vittorio Brambilla won the 1975 Austrian GP to his own surprise when the event was cut short due to wet weather. His arms flung from the cockpit of his car in celebration immediately, causing him to loose control and career off the track. Thankfully the car managed to limp its way around the track.
1976 – Watson wins for Penske
Whilst driving for Penske in 1976, John Watson swore that if the team won a race he’d shave off the beard which at the time, he was quite famous for. It happened in Austria, and immediately following the race, Watson came good on his promise.
1982 – De Angelis and Rosberg stage epic finish
It was August 1982 and Formula 1 was in desperate need of a ‘win’. Didier Pironi had been maimed whilst racing in Germany during the previous Grand Prix and earlier in the year the much loved Gilles Villeneuve had been killed in Belgium. The mood that had settled across F1 was heavy, however the race that Elio De Angelis and Keke Rosberg would deliver at the 1982 Austrian GP would go a long way to reigniting everyone’s passion for the sport. De Angelis managed to edge out Rosberg on the last corner by just .05 seconds, what a moment!
1984 – Lauda wins at home
The Austrian Grand Prix first ran in 1964, however it wasn’t until 20 years later that local fans would see one of their own countrymen claim victory at the event. How fitting that it was Niki Lauda who won the race for his home crowd for the first time, whilst on his way to the championship in 1984.
1999 – McLaren Team mates collide
By the time the 1999 Austrian Grand Prix rolled around, Mika Hakkinen was looking good. He had a decent lead in the points championship, and his strongest contender Michael Schumacher was out with a broken leg. Things should have gone smoothly, Hakkinen ‘should’ have won, however a botched move by his own team mate David Coulthard saw Hakkinen spin and put him out of contention for victory. He managed to claw his way back to take third, however the damage was done – Eddie Irvine won the race and closed the gap in the title race.
2002 – Lucky Escape for Sato
Takuma Sato saw his life flash before his eyes when Nick Heidfeld flew completely out of control, and into the side of him. Sato escaped without any major injuries. Had this incident happened years earlier, the outcome could have been much worse.
2002 – Ferrari team orders controversy
Ferrari upset fans during the final moments of the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix when they ordered driver Rubens Barrichello to slow down, while leading, so that Michael Schumacher cold pass and collect maximum points. It didn’t go down well with fans, the FIA or Rubens.
Classic Austrian Formula 1 Grand Prix moments caught on film is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.