1994 was a tragic season for Formula 1. Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna both died during the San Marino Grand Prix weekend. By late summer Michael Schumacher looked on course for the World Championship, but his Benetton team courted controversy. They were disqualified at Silverstone for ignoring a black flag. Rumours persisted that they were using traction control, which had been banned. Further setbacks awaited Schumacher and Benetton at Spa-Francorchamps.
Schumacher Beats Hill in Hungarian Grand Prix
Mika Hakkinen was missing from the Hungarian grand Prix entry list, after the Finn received a one race ban for triggering the accident in Hockenheim which eliminated half of the field. His place at McLaren was taken by the veteran Frenchman Philippe Alliot.
Schumacher claimed pole, ahead of Damon Hill. David Coulthard was third quickest in the second Williams and shared row two with Gerhard Berger’s Ferrari. Ukyo Katayama once again impressed in the Tyrrell, qualifying fifth.
In the early stages of the race Schumacher led from Hill and Coulthard. Eddie Jordan was left seething after his drivers, Rubens Barrichello and Eddie Irvine, took each other out on the first lap. An innocent Katayama was also caught up in the carnage.
Jean Alesi, who had qualified well down in 13th place, drove a strong race and was running fifth late on when his Ferrari engine gave up. This left oil on the track which caused Coulthard to crash out. Alesi’s team-mate, Berger, also retired with a blown engine, as did McLaren’s Martin Brundle on the final lap. Schumacher won from Hill, with Jos Verstappen third. Despite breaking down on the final lap Brundle was classified fourth. Mark Blundell came home fifth for Tyrrell and Olivier Panis was sixth in the Ligier.
Hill Inherits Belgian Grand Prix Victory
Qualifying became a lottery at Spa as the track dried throughout the session. At the end there was a rush as everyone tried to set a time. Barrichello timed it best and qualified his Jordan on pole position, the first of the Brazilian’s career and the first for Jordan. Schumacher was next quickest, followed by Hill, Irvine, Alesi and Verstappen.
Barrichello’s time at the front was brief. Schumacher, Alesi and Hill were all soon past the Jordan. When Alesi’s engine blew it left Schumacher leading the race from Hill. There was nothing the Williams driver could do about the Benetton and Schumacher crossed the line with a comfortable lead. After the race, however, the mandatory wooden plank fitted to the underside of his car was found to be excessively worn. Schumacher was disqualified and Hill awarded the victory. Hakkinen was promoted to second, Verstappen to third, Coulthard to fourth, Blundell to fifth and Gianni Morbidelli to sixth.
 |
