On this day in Formula One: Fatal accident Clark and Diniz in the oven
F1 News
- GPblog.com
Exactly 55 years ago today, a legend of motorsport passed away. Jim Clark. He lived to be just 32 years old. On 7 April 1968, the Scot suffered a fatal accident. At the Hockenheimring, Clark died during a rainy race.
Clark skidded off the track at a speed of about 170 km/h. The car somersaulted and landed with him among the woods and bushes. A heavy blow caused him to break his neck, and even before he reached hospital, he died. The entire Formula 1 world stood still for a moment because of the Scot's fatal accident. He is still regarded as one of the best Drivers of all time.
1996: Argentine Grand Prix
During the 1996 Argentine Grand Prix, Pedro Diniz's car went up in flames. The English newspaper The Sun came up with the apt title: 'Diniz in the oven'. Names like Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve finished on the podium at the Grand Prix as usual, but behind them it was chaos all around. From spins to broken front wings and from running each other off the track to a car going up in flames. All these accidents prevented more than half the drivers from crossing the finish line. A remarkable Grand Prix.