1996 Formula 1 Grand Prix Season
Schumacher Won at Spa-Francorchamps and Monza for Ferrari
Dec 27, 2008
Jacques Villeneuve won the Hungarian Grand Prix and, with just four races remaining, was the only person capable of challenging his Williams team-mate Damon Hill for the Formula 1 World Championship. In stark contrast to the tight confines of the Hungaroring, the next round of the championship was at the majestic spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.
Schumacher Wins Thrilling Belgian Grand Prix
Villeneuve benefited from a rain interrupted qualifying session to take pole on his first visit to the historic Spa circuit. Hill was second quickest in the other Williams and Michael Schumacher started from third in his Ferrari. Then came Mika Hakkinen in fourth, David Coulthard fifth and Jean Alesi sixth.
Schumacher passed Hill at the start and Coulthard also overtook the championship leader later on the same lap. The race was interrupted by a safety car period, the result of an enormous accident which befell Arrows driver Jos Verstappen. Fortunately, the Dutchman was left only shaken by the experience.
Villeneuve missed a radio call to pit as soon as the safety car was deployed. Hill was then told to come in but, realising it would take too long to switch around the equipment, his team instructed him to stay out. Hill, on his way into the pit lane, had to hastily regain the circuit, but lost places in the process.
Towards the end of the race Schumacher led from Villeneuve, but the Williams driver could not challenge. Schumacher scored a popular victory, while Hakkinen claimed the final podium spot. Alesi came home fourth, in front of an unhappy Hill. Sixth place went to Benetton’s Gerhard Berger.
Hill Spins Out of Italian Grand Prix
Stacks of tyres were placed at the apexes of Monza’s chicane before the start of the Italian Grand Prix, to prevent kerb-hopping. They would play a pivotal role in the outcome of the race.
Alesi made an extraordinary start, going from sixth on the grid to lea the race. Hill lay second and Villeneuve third. It took less than a lap for Hill to get past Alesi and the Englishman went on to extend his lead, until he made a crucial mistake. At the first chicane he clipped the tyre barrier, spun and stalled the car. His race was over.
Schumacher followed Alesi around, before passing the Frenchman at the pit stops. The tifosi went wild as Schumacher crossed the line to win for Ferrari. Alesi was content with second and Hakkinen repeated his Spa result by finishing third. Martin Brundle was fourth, ahead of his Jordan team-mate Rubens Barrichello. In sixth place was Brazilian Pedro Diniz. Villeneuve missed a golden opportunity to close on Hill in the World Championship, finishing just outside the points in seventh.
1996 Formula 1 review continues.
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