Grand Prix's best breakdowns
by Benson Jammichello on Feb 1st, 2011
Today sees the first of a regular Tuesday column for the relaunched BadgerGP (doesn't the new site look nice?) Each week, we'll take an aspect of F1, turn it into a Top 5 list and then expose it to your critical glare - we like to call it the 'Badgerometer' - The idea is for the 'Top 5' concept to be passed around the Sett to whichever writer can get their greedy claws on it, meaning you'll get a different slant with every week's column - and we've got some good ones coming up, let me tell you now...
This week though, we're looking at the Top 5 breakdowns. You may think this is going to be a look at a selection of F1's best mechanical failures, but no dear reader - you'd be wrong. With the usual Badger twist, we're looking at when the people break down - fight, cry, or just generally lose their cool. So, without further ado, let's get this show on the road...
Raikkonen, Silverstone, 2008
It's not that much of a breakdown, but it's definitely Kimi losing his cool. It's just all a bit undignified.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6e3bDs2lgw&feature=related
Sebastian Vettel, Abu Dhabi, 2010
It's very recent, which is probably why it gets on the list, but Vettel's crying really was superb. So very, very high...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3ru2SspakY&feature=related
Schumacher and Couthard, Spa, 1998
Essentially, they had a big crash and Schumacher got a bit violent. It's all on the video below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeAuQ2Xem4Q
Nelson Piquet and Eliseo Salazar, Hockenheim, 1982
You've got to appreciate a man who attacks someone else wearing a crash helmet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV0aQPLJNvA
Hakkinen crying in the bushes, Monza, 1999
It's pretty poor for a number 1 moment, but we can't find a video of it for love nor money. Perhaps Mika's had all copies of it destroyed, who knows, but you'll have to make do with a photo for now.
Essentially, he thought that, by crashing out of the race, his World Championship chances were done and dusted for the year. What do you do in that situation? Nip into the closest set of bushes for a quick weep, that's what!
As it turned out, he wasn't out of the championship race and he was filmed by a helicopter while crying forlornly. Oh dear.
It's not quite a fight, but we at Badger really enjoyed this. F1's just not this fun anymore, is it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g00w9jtkHu4
or this for a better angle, but VERY low quality
[youtube width=290 height=175]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21u_xJx8E70&feature=related
Comments and Discussion
The photographer deserved that. They spend most of their lives invading peoples personal spaces, and not enough of their subjects clump them for it.
And i think Michael was just looking to make a marketing impression going off after DC. If they did come to fisticuffs DC would've pummelled him!
I think Piquet and Salazar is about the best one for driver on driver action, but Mika's one is the best solo performance. I seem to remember a nice one with Fisichella also (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x11ijRe7uDQ)
DaveH . I think you need to draw a line between motorsports photographers (us) and paparazzi (them)... Whatever happens on the track or in the pitlane is fair game, if they are in their rest areas or hotels or restaurants (which we often use as well) - they are off limits. We know many drivers in various levels of the sport and this is generally understood, the drivers are schooled from Formula Ford and Ginetta Jnrs upwards on handling the media, hit one of us whilst we are working is NEVER an option. Should we not take a shot because the driver has screwed up and under stress? I think not - Autosport would be a VERY thin read otherwise....
Paparazzi on the other hand deserve all that is thrown at them.
But there's always a line to be crossed where you go from doing your job respectfully to invading a person's space.
I'm pointing out that those who don't know their subject and cross the line deserve to be shoved!
Dave, the photographer may have been being irritating, but I don't know whether Raikkonen's reaction was at all appropriate; I think I tend to agree with Craig on this one.
That said, it's interesting to have views from a fan (who I imagine would be more driver sympathetic) and a photographer. The wonder of Badger - bringing people together!!!
By the way, if anyone has any thoughts on future Top 5s you'd like to see - throw them in here and we'll see what we can do.
I'm with the fan in the above debate. With modern lenses, was there any need to be that close?!
Another great breakdown was James Hunt, Canada, 1977. While leading the race he tried to lap McLaren team-mate Jochen Mass, only to collide with him and retire. When a marshall grabbed him to remove him from the side of the track, Hunt clocked him on the chin and stormed off. Before my time, but classic none the less!
To be honest no1 should have just been a montage of hunt K.O's. He's knocked down more drivers and marshals with a single punch than probably all of the other drivers put together lol. Maybe he picked the wrong sport as a lad.
Hey you forgot this one! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD8_VnNSnIQ