As we look back at the 1995 season, there were several stand out events. Jean Alesi winning his first Grand Prix at Montreal is an experience that will be remembered for a very long time. Other events such as Coulthard and Herbert winning for the first time, or Schumacher's second title were also highlights of the year. However, those events can be overshadowed when considering the more humorous happenings of the 1995 season. This article is devoted to occurances many have seen, and maybe a couple that some have forgotten.
It was at this Grand Prix that Benetton decided to debut their new six wheel challenger for Johnny Herbert, perhaps hoping that it would allow him to finally match the pace of Schumacher. In the pits for his (Johnny's) second pit stop, the rear jack man Steve Matchett, failed to lower and disconnect the jack from the rear of Johnny's car. The result was a funny -- though dangerous-- display of Herbert racing down the pit lane with the rear jack still attached, before detaching at high speed near the exit of the pits. Formula One should count its self lucky that it still has the pit lane speed limit.
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This spectacular street circuit provided some of the more amusing occurrences of 1995. After the first aborted start due to the nudge between Coulthard, Alesi and Berger, Michael Schumacher appeared in the pit lane pulling a front jack towards the Benetton pit, which caused dear old Murray Walker to comment "that must be the most expensive Jack puller in the world". Also, during the break between the second start, one of the principality's camera man found his eye wandering over the large number of Yachts in the Harbor. Fixing his gaze on a topless women on one such yacht, the director suddenly cut to that camera, Leaving one stammering Jonathan Palmer in the commentary booth.
It is with some hesitation that I include this as a humorous moment of 1995. When Taki Inoue's Arrows-Hart retired, a small fire occurred in the rear of the car. The Hungarian Marshals displayed the typical incompetence of marshals and Taki was forced to grab a extinguisher off one of them. As he ran back to his car, he stepped into the path of the course car, which promptly hit him. Taki was uninjured, but as with Formula One, tragedy can never be far away. However as most people are of the opinion that Taki has no right being in the pinnacle of world motorsport, I felt it appropriate that this was included.
This in my mind was the most amazing moment in Formula One this year. David Coulthard lines up, in pole position, of what many people expect to be his debut Grand Prix win. On the warm-up lap he powers away confidently as he begins his lap. However as he gets to the Variante Ascari, he spins off into the sand trap. This is simply unheard of, while Prost spun off and retired at Imola in 1991 on the warm-up lap, that was in atrocious weather conditions. David later explained " there was a lot of oil left on the track from the previous Williams Renault Clio race". Strangely this kind of explanation sounds familiar of another British ex-formula one driver. On the Podium Johnny Herbert showed his delight of his second Grand Prix Victory, by promptly producing a finger to the crowd (shown at top of page). Perhaps he was expressing his gratitude to Flavio for providing an equal opportunity with Schumacher to win.
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As usual the majority of events at the Australian Grand Prix were of a more light hearted nature. Adelaide always seems to have a end of term atmosphere. The race was the funniest thing seen in F1 in such a while. David Coulthard again decide to prove that he was the master of Brain Fade, by introducing himself to the pit lane wall, while leading the race. Frank William's is not doubt relieved that he gave Coulthard to Ron Dennis for Christmas after all.
Then there was the other "finger" of the year. Heinz-Harald Frentzen's Sauber was stuck behind the Mclaren of Mark Blundell, who of which was a lap down. Frentzen had tried to pass Blundell on the previous lap at the hairpin at the end of the back straight without success. However the next time Frentzen made it stick. His indication is no doubt to inform Mark that his presence was no longer required at Sauber in 1996.
Now, as the season is at its conclusion, and we look forward to the 1996 World Championship, with the expectation of more such moments. Formula One is not always hard work and politics. Well.... some years anyway.