At the midpoint of the 1996 Formula 1 season Damon Hill led the World Championship from his Williams team-mate Jacques Villeneuve. Hill had never managed to win his home race at Silverstone, and hoped to change that statistic at the British Grand Prix.
Villeneuve Wins Formula 1 Race at Silverstone
Hill started his Silverstone weekend well, qualifying on pole. Alongside him was his team-mate and title rival Villeneuve. Michael Schumacher was third in his Ferrari, Mika Hakkinen fourth for McLaren, Jean Alesi fifth in his Benetton and Rubens Barrichello sixth for Jordan.
Alesi made one of his trademark lightning starts, tucking into second place behind Villeneuve. Hill made one of his trademark bad starts and slipped to fifth. The Englishman would once again have a miserable time at his home Grand Prix, a loose wheel causing him to spin out of the race.
Ferrari had a dreadful race, with both Schumacher and Eddie Irvine retiring very early on. The Irishman’s day got worse when he found out that Jeff Krosnoff, a friend from his time spent racing in Japan, had been killed while racing in the American CART series. Villeneuve won the Grand Prix from Gerhard Berger by almost 20 seconds. Hakkinen finished third in his McLaren, with Barrichello making up two positions from his grid slot to come home fourth. David Coulthard was the highest placed British driver in fifth, with his countryman Martin Brundle sixth.
Berger’s Retirement Hands Hill German Grand Prix Win
At Hockenheim Hill was once again on pole, but this time he had Berger’s Benetton for company at the front of the grid. At the start Hill made a disastrous getaway, slipping to third behind the leader Berger and his team-mate Alesi.
Berger used a one-stop strategy to challenge for victory and, with just a few miles left, the Austrian led from Hill. The outcome was decided when Berger’s engine failed, leaving Hill to cross the line first. Alesi finished second and Villeneuve third. Schumacher was a disappointed fourth in front of his home fans, Coulthard fifth and Barrichello sixth.
Villeneuve Beats Hill at the Hungaroring
Schumacher was a surprise pole-sitter for the Hungarian Grand Prix, with Hill having to settle for second place on the grid. Once again Hill made a mess of the start and it was Schumacher who led from Villeneuve and Alesi. Hill eventually passed Alesi, before passing Schumacher at a pit stop and going on to finish second.
No-one had an answer for Villeneuve’s pace around the Hungaroring. The French-Canadian passed Schumacher at the pit stops and went on to win the race, while the Ferrari driver retired with a throttle problem. Alesi drove a strong race to finish third, with Hakkinen fourth, Monaco winner Olivier Panis fifth and Barrichello sixth.
1996 F1 review continues here.
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