The 1995 Formula 1 season ended with the Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide. It had been a fixture on the Formula 1 calendar for a decade, but in 1996 the race moved to Melbourne. Instead of rounding the season off it became the opening race of the Grand Prix season.
After winning two consecutive Formula 1 titles with Benetton, Michael Schumacher moved to Ferrari for 1996, the Italian team also signing controversial Irishman Eddie Irvine. Former Ferrari drivers Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger continued their partnership at Benetton, while Williams signed CART champion Jacques Villeneuve to join Damon Hill. The French-Canadian’s late father, Gilles Villeneuve, was one of Formula 1’s fastest and most exciting drivers before his untimely death during qualifying for the Belgian grand Prix in 1982. David Coulthard went from Williams to McLaren, teaming up with Mika Hakkinen who had recovered from his serious accident at the 1995 Australian Grand Prix.
Villeneuve Almost Wins on Formula 1 Debut
In qualifying at the new Melbourne Park circuit Villeneuve immediately showed his ability by taking pole position ahead of his more experienced team-mate Hill. Irvine surprised many by outqualifying Schumacher. The Ferrari drivers lined up third and fourth respectively. Hakkinen was fifth in his McLaren and Alesi sixth on his debut for Benetton.
The race was stopped on the first lap after a monumental crash involving Martin Brundle’s Jordan, which was launched over other cars and broke in two. Incredibly, the Englishman escaped unharmed and took the restart in a spare car.
Villeneuve kept his lead at the start, followed by Hill. Schumacher made his way past Irvine to run third, but the German’s afternoon ended early with a brake problem. Irvine came under pressure from Alesi, until the Frenchman made a bold overtaking attempt and collided with the Ferrari. He retired, while Irvine managed to continue.
It looked as though Villeneuve was on course to win his first ever Formula 1 race, a feat only achieved once before, by Giancarlo Baghetti in the 1961 French Grand Prix. Then, his Williams began to lose oil and he had no option but to let Hill through. Hill won the race, with Villeneuve limping home second. Irvine was a lonely third, followed by Berger, Hakkinen and Mika Salo’s Tyrrell.
Hill Dominates Brazilian Grand Prix
Local hero Rubens Barrichello excelled himself during qualifying at Interlagos, setting the second fastest time behind Hill’s all conquering Williams. Third on the grid was Villeneuve, with Schumacher in fourth. Alesi was fifth and Brundle sixth in the Jordan.
The Grand Prix started in perilously wet conditions and Hill quickly pulled away from Villeneuve and a fast starting Alesi. Villeneuve eventually spun out of the race after Alesi pressured him into a mistake. For a while Alesi and Barrichello squabbled over second place, before the latter dropped back and spun off while trying to pass Schumacher.
At the flag it was Hill first, ahead of Alesi and Schumacher, although the defending World Champion was a whole lap behind. Hakkinen was fourth in the McLaren, Salo fifth and Olivier Panis scored a point for Ligier in sixth.
1996 F1 season review continues.
Kevin Guthrie - Kevin is based in Fife, Scotland, where he works as a music teacher, professional drummer and freelance writer. At an early age he ...
