Biggest Controversies In F1: Take a look at the list of the top 10 biggest and ugliest formula 1 controversies to ever take place since the formation of the sport.
All outdoor sport in the world has seen some or the controversy that has shaken up the foundation of the principles of the particular sport to its core. And knowing the competitiveness involved in Formual1, it is no different.
Controversy is never far away in Formula 1. But over the years, which controversial moments stand out as the biggest? Can’t remember? Don’t worry as this article contains them all to freshen up your memory.
Biggest Controversies In F1: Top 10 Biggest Formula 1 Controversy In History
10. Lewis Hamilton Faces Racism in Spanish Grand Prix (2009)
It seems like in all the modern-day sports, there is a certain section of fan who do not grow beyond the pithiness of racism. During the 2008 and 2009 Spanish Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton met the same fate as some fans colored their face with black paint and taunted him.
Altough other F1 drivers came to his aid and support, yet his stands as the number 10 controversy in F1.
9. Belgian Grand Prix 1981
before the 1981 Belgain Grand Prix could start one of the mechanics from a particular team got injured. As a sign of which many mechanics came out in protest to sit on the tracks, joined by their team’s drivers. Having sat for such a long time, some cars had overheated or stalled. Mechanic Dave Luckett jumped onto the track to help restart the car of Riccardo Patrese.
While Patrese was on the track, organizers started the race and disaster occurred. Cars flew past the stalled car of Patrese until his teammate, Siegfried Stohr, crashed into the back of Patrese, striking Luckett in the process. He survived but had several broken bones and injuries.
8. Michelin Relationship Ending with Formula 1 (2005)
This is regarded as the nail in the coffin for the Circuit of Michelin in F1. The rules stipulated that the tyres should last for an entire race in that particular 2005 F1 season. Michelin had no tires that could survive a whole race at Indianapolis thanks to a banked turn that caused the tire to collapse.
Michelin and its equipped seven teams pleaded for a change in the course so they could race, yet FIA rejected the plea at once. After which only three Bridgestone equipped teams took part in a GP which was a massive embarrassment to Michelin and more importantly Formula 1.
7. Max Mosley Sex Scandal
The former FIA President who passed away on May 24, 2021 makes it into the number 7 spot in the biggest controversies ever to happen in Formula 1. A video was obtained from the internet which showed the Max Mosley engaging in Nazi-themed acts with prostitutes in the bedroom.
What led after that was Mosley suing the particulate newspaper who leaked that video and denied of any Nazi claims which helped him continued being the FIA President till 2009.
6. Staged Finish in Austrian Grand Prix 2002
In Formula 1 the leadership and team bosses very well decide upon one driver helping out the other in order to fetch the maximum points for a team, which has been the case on numerous occasions.
But in the 2002 Austrian grand Prix, Ferrari’s Rubens Barrichello was all set to take win the race, until the team told him to let Michael Schuamcher win the race to boost his chances at the top of the Driver’s Standings. This led to Ferrari paying a fine of $1 Million to see it be the one of the biggest controversies in F1.
5. Hamilton Australian Grand Prix 2009
The scandal involved Champion Lewis Hamilton and his former team, McLaren. In this controversy, near the end of the race, Jarno Trulli went off the track while under caution while Hamilton took the opportunity to overtake him. Audio recordings show that Hamilton asked his team if he should let Trulli retake third, which they agreed to.
Whereas in the post-race interview Hamilton denied any orders. Further investigation revealed the truth which allowed Trulli to retain third position. While Hamilton was disqualified and McLaren were stripped of their constructor points.
4. Ferrari Spied by McLaren 2007
In F1 teams are usually known to contemplate on each other’s tactics to put their best foot forward. But in 2007, a Ferrari chief mechanic allegedly handed over a substantial amount of technical information concerning the team’s cars, plans and finances to McLaren.
The plan might have worked if not for a series of bad luck and stupid action from McLaren. At the end of the controversy McLaren suffered from all sorts of penalties and a record $100 million fine.
3. Michael Schumacher Unsportsmanlike-ship in 1997
Those who argue that Michael Schumacher could never be the G.O.A.T of F1 is because of his unsportsmanlike-ship in the 1994 and 1997 season. At the 1994 Australian Grand Prix, Schumacher smashed his car into Damon Hill’s Benetton opening the way for the Driver’s Championship. Yet he was excused.
Having said that, Michael Schumacher never learnt from this incident and did the same with Jacques Villeneuve in 1997, but this time the former was disqualified from the championship following an FIA investigation.
2. Nelson Piquet Jr’s Intentional Crash in 2008
Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jr were teammates racing for Renault. However referring back tot he 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, Alonso had the 15th position to start off the race. Evidently there was no chance Alonso could win the race. Fans were amazed as Nelson Piquet Jr., crashed soon after which forced the Safety car to come out.
Good fortune would have it, Alonso got out of the pit and in front of the Safety car and caught up to the pack which was now bunched up. He even went onto win that race. After almost a year, the truth came out as Piquet Jr. reported that he was instructed to crash on a specific turn to help out Fernando Alonso.
1. Alain prost – Ayrton Senna 1990
Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna will be registered in the F1 history as the greatest rivals. Yet this is the could be regarded as the sweetest revenge story as well. In the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix, Prost turned his car into Senna’s on the very first turn. However the later was able to recover and rejoin the race, yet he was disqualified later.
In 1990, Senna got his revenge on the same track at the same spot. All Senna had to do to get the title was ensure he wasn’t outscored by his now-Ferrari driving adversary.
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