In the early part of the 1993 Formula 1 season Ayrton Senna was able to challenge the Williams drivers in his underpowered McLaren, even leading the World Championship briefly. By late summer, however, Alain Prost and Damon Hill were beginning to assert their authority. The English driver experienced bad luck in both France and Britain, when he seemed on course for victory. Hill was hoping for better fortunes at the next race, the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.
Hill Robbed of Victory Again in German Grand Prix
In 1993 Hockenheim was still very much a power circuit, which suited the Williams drivers. Prost started the race from pole, with Hill second. Michael Schumacher qualified third for Benetton and Senna fourth in his McLaren. Derek Warwick walked away from a huge crash in the Sunday morning warm-up session after tangling with Luca Badoer.
Prost made a terrible start, allowing both Hill and Schumacher to get past. Senna spun on the opening lap and found himself at the back of the field. Prost, running third, then suffered more bad luck. He was given a stop-go penalty for cutting a chicane, even though he only did so to avoid being collected by Martin Brundle’s out of control Ligier.
Senna and Prost both made excellent recoveries from their early setbacks. The Brazilian eventually finished the Grand Prix fourth. Prost found himself in second place towards the end, but in no position to challenge his team-mate Hill for the lead. He didn’t have to, as Hill’s terrible luck struck again. With just two laps remaining his Williams picked up a puncture and he was forced to retire. Prost took victory, ahead of Schumacher and Mark Blundell. Riccardo Patrese crossed the line fifth in what was the Italian’s 250th Grand Prix.
Hill Finally Wins a Formula 1 Race
The front of the grid at the Hungaroring was exactly how it had been at Hockenheim. Prost was on pole, Hill second, Schumacher third and Senna fourth. Prost again made a mess of the start, this time stalling before the warm-up lap and having to start from the back. His race was later rendered meaningless by a pit stop which lasted several minutes.
Hill led Senna in the early stages, while Gerhard Berger ran third and held several cars up behind his slow Ferrari. Senna’s race was a short one, as he retired within 20 laps. Patrese ran second for a while, before Schumacher got past his team-mate. The German’s efforts were in vain, as his engine soon expired.
This time there were no late dramas for Hill and he crossed the line to win his first ever Formula 1 race. Patrese inherited second place when Schumacher dropped out and stayed there until the end. Berger was a steady third, followed by Warwick, Brundle and Karl Wendlinger.
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