Classic race: Australia GP 1994
F1 News
As we close in on the first race of the season in Australia, here is a classic race from down under. The 1994 Australian GP was the last of the season and both drivers’ and constructors’ titles were up for grabs.
Heading into the race, Benetton’s Michael Schumacher led the way with 92 points, only one ahead of Williams’ Damon Hill.
Hill’s Williams team-mate Nigel Mansell took pole position followed by Schumacher and Hill.
With only five points between Benetton and Williams in the constructors’ championship, Benetton will have been disappointed to see Johnny Herbert qualify in only seventh place.
Schumacher and Hill jumped Mansell off the start line and the German led for the first 35 laps until he went off the track, damaging his car in the process.
Hill attempted to pass Schumacher and take the lead, but Schumacher seemed to deliberately turn in early, knowing that he would have to retire.
Schumacher’s race was run after the collision, and although Hill tried, to continue, Schumacher succeeded in damaging the Williams, forcing Hill into retiring with suspension damage.
Schumacher has always maintained that it was a racing incident, although this claim has always been met with scepticism, with Hill accusing Schumacher of deliberately driving into him in later years.
With both drivers retiring, Schumacher took his first of seven world titles on his way to becoming the most successful driver F1 has ever seen.
Nigel Mansell inherited the lead, and although he was jumped by Ferrari’s Gerhard Berger in the pit-stop phase, the 1992 World Champion regained the lead to win his 31st and final Grand Prix.
Damon Hill was later awarded the 1994 Sports Personality of the Year award for his efforts during the season.