Friday 18th March 2011

Pic Of The Week: Crashtastic F1 Fun

Taking to the sky at the 1989 French GP

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Normally we try to make POTW topical in some way, but with today's offering we are rather breaking our own self-imposed rule.

The reason? Well, apart from the fact that we weren't really inspired by anything else in this week's motoring news, an idle browse on LAT photographic's archive brought up this pic, dredged from the company's 'Unique Collection #5'.

It's Mauricio Gugelmin taking to the air in his March-Judd in the 1989 French GP at Paul Ricard, causing the race to be restarted. Astonishingly, he managed to restart the race (albeit using the team's spare car).

If we're really pushing it, we suppose we could say it's topical because there wasn't a Grand Prix last weekend, but that's a bit tenuous...

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[anonymous-user]

I miss the French GPs.
Great picture though, new wallpaper at work.

[soad]

That's a crash and half! Always looks spectacular too, be it moto gp or f1
Look at all them bits flying...did well to walk away

[Papa Hotel]

Scary nowadays seeing that sort of crash, his heart must have been in his mouth given the more relaxed safety culture back then.

[dave stew]

Papa Hotel said:

Scary nowadays seeing that sort of crash, his heart must have been in his mouth given the more relaxed safety culture back then.

At least it wasn't 1969!

[JJ78]

hell of a POTW! serves him right for thinking a Leytonhouse should have been challenging ferraris! lol

[PhantomPH]

It's semi-topical because of the Senna movie's increased publicity drive...erm...if you were really looking.

[Riggers]

v4nnm said:

it's "Gugelmin", not "Gujelmin"...

Damn it being Friday. or something like that... fixed now

[wackojacko]

Great POTW

[thewheelman]

The picture is very good, yet for some reason it'd feel odd having a picture of a crash as my screensaver.

[Oddball RS]

A wingless Nige can't fly!

[lockup]

Note exhaust blown diffuser!

[Salom]

I was there, probably about 20' away from the photographer!

[red_slr]

Senna long gone out of the pic... ahh them were the days.

[joz8968]

Remember this - Estoril 92?...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj7TewU5AVc

Was mad.

Berger slowing right down at the last second soon after the turn and onto the straight (to go into the pits IIRC). Patrese just didn't read it (and you couldn't have blamed him!)... Drove over Berger's rear wheel... WOW! What a (well scary) spectacle that was.

Edited by joz8968 on Friday 18th March 20:19

[carl_w]

joz8968 said:

Remember this - Estoril 92?...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj7TewU5AVc

Was mad.

Berger slowing right down at the last second soon after the turn and onto the straight (to go into the pits IIRC). Patrese just didn't read it (and you couldn't have blamed him!)... Drove over Berger's rear wheel... WOW! What a (well scary) spectacle that was.

IIRC after that incident Berger would always raise his hand when pitting.

[splitpin]

Reminds us why tethers remain a good idea.

[tubbystu]

Does mirror, signal, manouevre apply ?

Or more likely, mirror, manouevre, oooh bugger !! Where the beejesus did he come from !!

[CanadianScot]

joz8968 said:

Remember this - Estoril 92?...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj7TewU5AVc

Was mad.

Berger slowing right down at the last second soon after the turn and onto the straight (to go into the pits IIRC). Patrese just didn't read it (and you couldn't have blamed him!)... Drove over Berger's rear wheel... WOW! What a (well scary) spectacle that was.

Edited by joz8968 on Friday 18th March 20:19

Why doesn't that happen more often? I guess they get told on the radio if the other cars pit crew are out, but there must be some times when they don't expect it?

[Mr Sparkle]

Looks like their wheels are held on with tooth picks.

[alexmckie]

I prefer this one....