The Australian GP has hosted Formula 1 since 1985 at the Adelaide Circuit before moving to Albert Park in 1996 until now. The Australian GP has brought many exciting and hot moments in its history.
One of them when the determination of the 1994 world title between Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill. They were involved in a controversial incident which later thwarted Hill ambitions to win his world title.
1. The death of Ayrton Senna at the start of the 1994 season
Formula 1 fans remember 1994 as the year Ayrton Senna died racing at the San Marino Grand Prix. The Brazilian racer died after a fatal accident at the Tamburello corner.
The life of the three-time world champion could not be saved even though he was taken to the hospital. That moment became one of the biggest losses in the history of Formula 1. Since then, Formula 1 has continued to improve the safety factor.
2. Schumacher was hot at the start of the season
Michael Schumacher who defended Benetton appeared hot since the beginning of the season. The German racer bought up four consecutive wins since the inaugural race. As a result, he also made the difference in points quite far from his competitors.
Even so, Schumacher made a mistake when he was disqualified twice. First at the British GP, when he ignored the penalty awarded after overtaking Damon Hill on the formation lap.
Furthermore, at the Belgian GP, this time his team used a device that was deemed illegal by the FIA. The series of events resulted in Schumacher being sentenced to two races. Whereas previously he was 31 points ahead of Damon Hill in second place.
3 Hill is slowly starting to catch up
Unlike Schumacher, Hill started 1994 with not too bright. Although he had won the second podium at the Brazilian GP. Hill then failed to finish twice at the Pacific and Monaco GPs and only finished sixth at the San Marino GP.
Hill began to rise when he won the Spanish GP. The Williams driver then benefited when Schumacher was disqualified and sentenced to two races.
When Schumacher did not get a point, Hill was able to add five wins and further narrow the difference in points. As a result, in the closing series at the Australian GP, Hill was only one point adrift of Schumacher.
4. Australian GP becomes the stage to determine the world title
With a difference of only one point when entering the closing series at the Australian GP, both Schumacher and Hill are still likely to win their first title. In the qualifying session, Schumacher was in second place behind Nigel Mansell.
Meanwhile, Hill is right behind Schumacher in third position. At the time of the race , Mansell experienced a spin that made him overtaken by Schumacher and Hill. Positions one and two did not change until the 36th lap.
At that time Schumacher made a mistake by hitting the wall. Hill also tried to overtake him at the next corner. However, Schumacher actually blocked it by crashing his car into Hill.
With the same points, Schumacher will win the title if both fail to finish. Although Hill had time to continue the race, damage to the suspension of his car made Hill fail to finish. As a result, the title fell into the hands of Schumacher.
Many considered Schumacher actions inappropriate. The race became one of the most controversial closing series in Formula 1 history.
5. Nigel Mansell last win
While Schumacher and Hill failed to touch the finish line. Nigel Mansell was able to come out as champion in his last race in Formula 1. It was also the 31st and last victory for the 1992 world champion.
Mansell himself had actually decided to retire after becoming a champion in 1992. However, the death of Ayrton Senna made Williams again call his former racer for a duet with Damon Hill.
The Australian GP became one of the most controversial races in Formula 1 history. Schumacher is considered to have stolen Hill title with his controversial maneuver.
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