When it comes to Formula 1, chaos doesn’t just set in inside the tracks, with wheels and car parts flying everywhere. Even though multi-driver crashes usually make it onto lists of the category’s most absurd moments, one shouldn’t forget the controversies that arise outside of racing, including bitter title fights and course-changing decisions. of an entire race.

Even though the sport is safer than ever, the big scares can’t be forgotten, many of which feature prominently in the series. F1: Driving for a living, from Netflix. The episodes have also immortalized some of these moments, with a good dose of tension and drama.

In this list, the canaltech selects the seven most chaotic Formula 1 races, in different categories.

7. 2005 United States Grand Prix

Before the United States created the current flavor of Formula 1, with the right to three races in the country in 2024, testing took place at the classic Indianapolis circuit. Those who visited the grandstands of the circuit in 2005, however, saw a very different spectacle from the usual, with only six cars and three teams agreeing to give the start of an event won by the eternal Michael Schumacher, of Ferrari.

The idol’s latest brace with Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, however, went down in controversial fashion. A series of serious crashes during testing over the weekend, including a serious crash by the champion’s brother Ralf Schumacher, have raised concerns over the safety of Michelin tyres. Amid talk of the risks and the possibility of legal action, 14 drivers from the remaining seven teams dropped out of the race after the presentation lap.

At the time, Formula 1 had two tire brands, with the choice between Michelin and Bridgestone also forming part of the teams’ strategy and management decisions. In the face of controversy, which even involved Indiana state authorities, the value of the tickets was returned to fans, as the case reportedly prompted internal discussions about better security guarantees and the adoption future of an exclusivity, now belonging to Pirelli.

6. 2022 British Grand Prix

One of the most recent demonstrations of the safety of the halo, the protective helmet for Formula 1 drivers, took place just after the start of one of the most prestigious races on the calendar. As the fight between Ferrari and Red Bull unfolded at the front of the grid, Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu slid upside down more than 180 meters after a serious crash.

The overturned car only came to a stop in front of a barrier of tires, where it remained stuck for several minutes under the astonished eyes of the supporters present and those watching from their homes. The impressive crash involved five drivers, with an impressive scene of Mercedes’ George Russell, also hit in the collision, leaving the race in a hurry to help his colleague while still upside down.

No one was injured in the situation, which led to the interruption of a race which would still have collisions between the two AlphaTauri cars and an activation of the safety car after problems with Esteban’s Alpine Ocon. The Formula 1 British Grand Prix in 2022 would ultimately mark the first victory for Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and also the first career points for Mick Schumacher (Haas).

5. Australian Grand Prix 2023

One of the inaugural races of the 2023 season also had its fair share of chaos to offset the absolute dominance of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Those who woke up at dawn to watch Formula 1 saw a race that lasted more than two and a half hours, with three interruptions after accidents and a restart that led to an accident with six cars, almost a third of the grid.

Russell watched his Mercedes catch fire after picking the wrong time to pit, while a crash by Kevin Magnussen’s Haas four laps from the finish prompted a fresh start that led to the ‘big’ and to a new stop. The podium of champions formed by Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) was formed under the safety car.

In total, only 12 cars finished the race, which nevertheless saw a collision between Ocon and Pierre Gasly, the two Alpine having abandoned the race. The restart, believed to be responsible for the accident, was also heavily criticized, with the decision deemed wrong by the FIA ​​(International Automobile Federation) being the subject of the following week.

4. 1998 Belgian Grand Prix

One of the biggest crashes in Formula 1 history happened at the always difficult Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. From the start of the 1998 season race, no less than 13 cars collided just after the first corner, in a “big” start when David Coulthard lost control of his McLaren.

The low visibility provided by the heavy rain prevented even television cameras from recording clear footage of the accident. Incredibly, of all the drivers involved, only four drivers retired from the race, and the restart which took place more than an hour later led to another collision in the first corner, with the title contender, Mika Häkkinen, spun before being hit by Johnny de Sauber. Herbert.

The chaos continued in the closing stages of the race, with Coulthard crashing once again, this time late when he should have let Schumacher pass. The Ferrari driver’s nearly 20-lap lead would end there, with victory in the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix going to Jordan’s Damon Hill.

3. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021

A controversial decision by the FIA ​​in the final laps of the final race of the 2021 season would still spark discussions to this day. Verstappen’s maiden title was tarnished after a safety car restart, caused by Canadian driver Nicholas Latifi (Williams) crashing while trying to overtake Mick Schumacher (Haas).

With the speed reduced, Red Bull called Verstappen to the pits, but Mercedes did not, believing Hamilton would lose the race lead. The laggards between the two, who were vying for the title point by point, were allowed to overtake, but not those furthest behind, in an order which was seen as the FIA ​​favoring one team over the other.

With one lap to go the race resumed and Verstappen easily passed Hamilton for the win and the world championship. The decision was challenged in the sporting courts and, although the title did not change hands, it led to changes in the rules and in the relationship between team managers and race management, as well as the departure of director Michael Masi from the FIA.

2. Canadian Grand Prix 2011

The longest race in Formula 1 history took place in 2011 and was won by McLaren’s Jenson Button after four hours. So much time was justified by a major interruption caused by the heavy rain that fell on the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal, which only worsened and led to a stoppage in the middle of competition.

The track full of puddles resulted in a safety car departure and the release of the cars only after the fifth lap. Sebastian Vettel, at the time driving a sovereign Red Bull, was vying for championship leadership with Alonso, in a Ferrari, while already champion Hamilton was embroiled in trouble with his team-mate.

Button, incidentally, would be involved in another crash, along with Alonso himself, while Brazilian Felipe Massa, also aboard the red horse, would give one of many displays of the slippery nature of the track. This aspect would be fundamental for the victory of the English driver, Vettel putting the cup back on a plateau after an error during the dispute for the first position in the final stages of the race.

1. Bahrain Grand Prix 2020

Those who followed the race live will never forget this moment, as well as the spectators of F1: Drive to Liver. In one of the strongest scenes in Formula 1 history, Haas driver Romain Grosjean emerges from a veritable ball of fire after hitting the guardrail on the opening lap.

The car broke in two, while the athlete got stuck in the middle of the equipment. He stood amidst the flames for 28 seconds, which seemed like an eternity to onlookers at the race. The halo, once again, helped save the life of Grosjean, who exited the car with only second-degree burns to his hands, while the driver’s helmet prevented him from inhaling smoke.

The race would also take place, with two Racing Point retirements – first Lance Stroll overturning the car, then the machine driven by Sergio Pérez would catch fire, again nearly crushing an inspector trying to fight the flames. . Hamilton would be the winner of the race and also of the drivers’ championship that year, but at the end of the season it was only talk of Grosjean, who would be excluded from Formula 1 from the following year.

Honorable mention: 2008 Brazilian GP

Between serious accidents and overtaking that demonstrate skill, the most chaotic moment of Brazilian Felipe Massa’s career was, without a doubt, the home race in the 2008 season. There he lost what would literally be his first world title, on the final corner, after Hamilton passed Timo Glock and a Toyota with tires unsuitable for the light rain falling at Interlagos.

He was one of the only drivers not to stop in wet track conditions, meaning he couldn’t help but pass the still-English rookie who would become seven-time champion. Massa had already won the race and his family were celebrating in the Ferrari pits when Hamilton passed Glock on the climb to the pit straight, taking the 5th position he needed to clinch his maiden title.

However, ownership of that year’s cup is now being disputed in court. In 2008, “Singaporegate” also happened, when Nelson Piquet Jr. was accused of intentionally crashing his Renault to favor Alonso, then his teammate. Former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone said in an interview in early 2023 that the FIA ​​was aware of the scandal but decided to take action only the following year in order to protect the integrity of the sport.

Massa is now taking legal action against Formula 1 to reclaim the 2008 title, based on Ecclestone’s claims that that year’s Singapore race should have been cancelled. If that had happened, with the result of Interlagos, the Brazilian driver would have been champion and the history of our country in the current era of the sport would certainly be different.