Breakdowns, team instructions and clashes: 6 highlights of the Austrian Grand Prix

The Austrian Grand Prix is back, and with it, a host of unforgettable memories. This event has always delivered spectacular races and unpredictable outcomes, regardless of the era. Here are six moments that have made this Grand Prix a unique race in the history of F1.

1. 1975: Brambilla’s Chaotic Victory

On August 17, 1975, the Österreichring was engulfed by torrents of water. The race, initially planned for 54 laps, was shortened to only 29 laps. In these apocalyptic conditions, Vittorio Brambilla triumphed at the wheel of his March 751. The Italian, nicknamed the Monza Gorilla for his aggressive style, expertly handled the deluge and took control of the race.

As he crossed the finish line, euphoria overcame him. Brambilla raised his arms in victory, immediately lost control of his car, and crashed into the barriers. Despite the accident, his victory was validated. It would be the only one of his career in Formula 1.

This race will also be remembered for the tragedy. Mark Donohue crashed violently at the first corner after a tire burst. The American driver succumbed to his injuries the following day. A track marshal also lost his life, struck by debris from the Penske.

2. 1982: 0.050 seconds separate de Angelis from Rosberg

The 1982 edition features one of the closest finishes in Formula 1 history. Elio de Angelis, driving his Lotus, beats Keke Rosberg and his Williams by just 0.050 seconds after a thrilling duel.

Starting seventh on the grid, the Italian takes advantage of numerous retirements to gradually climb up the ranks. Alain Prost seemed to be heading for a comfortable victory when his Renault turbo engine exploded four laps from the finish. De Angelis inherits the lead with Rosberg in his rearview mirrors.

In the final lap, the Finn comes back like a cannonball. At the entrance of the last corner, he tries to overtake on the inside but falls short by a few meters. This victory will be the last for Lotus under the Colin Chapman era, who passed away a few months later. De Angelis himself tragically perished in 1986 during private testing at Paul Ricard.

3. 1984: Lauda triumphs at home with a broken gearbox

Niki Lauda had failed six times to win in front of his Austrian audience. In 1984, he finally secured his first victory at home, but under extraordinary circumstances. Starting fourth, the Austrian benefited from Alain Prost’s off-track excursion to take second place. On the 39th lap, he overtook Nelson Piquet and raced towards victory. But on the following lap, a loud bang sounded: his McLaren gearbox gave out. Only third and fifth gears still worked.

Lauda considers giving up when laziness holds him back: “It’s too far to walk back to the pits.” He then discovers that his McLaren is still running. Behind him, Piquet doesn’t understand why his rival is slowing down. Thinking it’s a usual tactic from “the Rat,” the Brazilian holds back instead of attacking. Lauda thus secures his 23rd career victory, crucial in his battle for the title against Prost.

3. 2002: Ferrari imposes its team orders

On May 12, 2002, Ferrari committed one of the biggest public relations blunders in its history. Rubens Barrichello dominated the race from start to finish at the wheel of his F2002. With eight laps to go, the Scuderia ordered him to yield the victory to Michael Schumacher.

The Brazilian initially refuses, then gives in to his team’s threats. But he waits until the last turn of the last lap to lift his foot, allowing the German to overtake him just a few meters from the line. The crowd boos Schumacher loudly on the podium. Embarrassed, he pushes Barrichello onto the top step and hands him the trophy.

This episode causes a public outcry. The FIA bans team orders starting in 2003, a rule that remains in effect until 2010. Meanwhile, Ferrari is fined one million dollars for disrupting the podium ceremony protocol, particularly following the initiative of the German driver to swap positions with his teammate.

5. 2014: Williams returns to the forefront

After years of struggle, Williams achieves the feat in 2014. Felipe Massa clinches the pole position, his first since 2008, ahead of his teammate Valtteri Bottas. This front-row lockout in qualifying, with two cars in the front row, was a first for Williams since 2003.

In the race, the two drivers led the first fifteen laps before being overtaken by the Mercedes. Bottas salvaged the situation by making it onto the podium, the team’s first since Spain 2012. With 27 points accumulated that weekend, Williams achieved their best score since the current scoring system was introduced in 2010.

This performance will mark the renaissance of the Grove team after a catastrophic 2013 season where they only scored five points.

6. 2016: Hamilton and Rosberg collide on the last lap

On July 3, 2016, the rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg reached its peak. In the penultimate lap, Hamilton caught up with his teammate thanks to softer tires. At the second corner of the 71st and final lap, the Briton attempted to overtake on the outside.

Rosberg, grappling with brake problems, dives late into the corner. The contact is inevitable. The German’s front wing breaks, Hamilton takes the lead and races towards victory. The stewards impose a ten-second penalty and two license points on Rosberg for causing the collision.

This confrontation on the track perfectly embodied the intensity of the struggle that animated the two drivers in their quest for the title that season. Rosberg would eventually win the title before immediately retiring, leaving Hamilton as the sole master at Mercedes.

Race after race, the Austrian Grand Prix has built its reputation on effort, consistency, and surprise. In 2025, a new name will be added to its history. Who will seize the opportunity and leave their mark in the Austrian mountains? Be there at the finish line to find out.