Damon Hill did his Formula 1 World Championship hopes no good at Silverstone, crashing out of the race along with Michael Schumacher after an ill-advised overtaking manoeuvre. In Germany the pressure of the title race would once again tell on the Williams driver, while local hero Schumacher thrilled his adoring public.
Schumacher Wins and Hill Crashes at Hockenheim
Hill disappointed the German fans by snatching pole from Schumacher. Coulthard was third in the sister Williams, followed by Gerhard Berger’s Ferrari, Rubens Barrichello’s Jordan and the similar car of Irishman Eddie Irvine.
After just one lap of the Grand Prix, Hill crashed out of the race, leaving Schumacher in a dominant position. Although the German stopped one more time than his nearest challenger Coulthard, the Scotsman could no catch him. Mercedes had a miserable afternoon, as both their engines expired in the McLaren’s at the company’s home race.
Schumacher won the Grand Prix from Coulthard. Berger was third, despite having served a jump start penalty. Johnny Herbert finished fourth in the other Benetton, ahead of Jean-Christophe Boullion in a Sauber. The final point went to veteran Japanese driver Aguri Suzuki in a Ligier. Schumacher completed his lap of honour behind a tow truck after letting his Renault engine die shortly after crossing the line.
Hill and Coulthard in Williams 1-2 at Hungaroring
The Williams cars proved to be perfectly suited to the tight and twisty Hungaroring circuit. Hill qualified on pole, while Coulthard was second quickest in the other car. Schumacher and Benetton were some way off the pace, but still lined up third. Berger was fourth in his Ferrari, followed by Mika Hakkinen’s McLaren and Jean Alesi in the other Ferrari.
Hill led the Grand Prix from Coulthard early on, until the Scotsman cracked under sustained pressure from Schumacher in the Benetton. A small mistake was all the opportunity Schumacher needed to get past. Any hope the German had of catching Hill in the leading Williams evaporated during a pit stop where a refuelling problem ruined his race. He eventually retired from the race with a fuel pump failure.
Barrichello drove a strong race and lay third at the start of the last lap. Agonisingly, his Jordan developed a problem which dropped him to seventh at the flag. Hill won from Coulthard, with Berger a lap behind in third. Herbert was fourth for Benetton, Heinz-Harald Frentzen fifth in his Sauber and Olivier Panis sixth for Ligier.
1995 Grand Prix season review continues.
