Some individuals speculate about whether either of the McLaren drivers should definitively secure the 2025 Formula 1 world championship.
Within that viewpoint, it’s been suggested that Oscar Piastri’s subpar performance in Azerbaijan – including a qualifying shunt, a flawed start, and a first-lap crash – demonstrates a lack of composure under pressure from the Australian driver.
However, there are unforeseen setbacks that can happen in F1. While Emerson Fittipaldi rarely crashed, notable drivers throughout the sport’s history have faced embarrassing and occasionally harmful situations – including Jim Clark.
Here are several instances:
Juan Manuel Fangio – 1952 Monza Grand Prix
Juan Manuel Fangio (leading) contested Ulster Trophy for BRM the day before racing the new Maserati A6GCM at Monza
Photo by: Klemantaski Collection / Getty Images
Arguably the foremost driver of his generation, Juan Manuel Fangio almost ended up with only one world championship. In 1952, when European race organisers addressed the lack of competitive F1 cars by excluding them from championship races, Fangio committed to a diverse schedule for BRM and Maserati events.
When the Italian manufacturer stated it would have its new A6GCM F2 cars available for the non-championship Monza Grand Prix on Sunday 8 June, it posed a challenge for Fangio. He was committed to racing BRM’s unpredictable Type 15 in the Ulster Trophy Formula Libre race at the Dundrod road course near Lisburn in Northern Ireland. However, he’d also promised Maserati’s owner Adolfo Orsi he would drive his new car.
Fangio’s engine failed after a strong recovery from a spin at Lindsay Hairpin. Prince Bira had offered Fangio a flight to Milan in his private plane but seemingly forgot and left after crashing on the opening lap.
Poor weather compelled Fangio to fly to Paris and drive the rest of the way, using a car borrowed from Louis Rosier. Driving all night, he arrived at Monza with limited time and, as a special guest, was allowed to start from the back in a new Maserati reserved for him.
In his biography, Fangio wrote that he showered, took aspirins, and drove exceptionally fast, passing several cars on the first lap. The second time around, he misjudged the second Lesmo corner, struck the apex kerb, and went wide, hitting a sun-baked straw bale.
The resulting crash was severe. Fangio was thrown clear, but his shoes were found in the destroyed wreck. He spent weeks in the hospital with a broken neck. Giuseppe Farina and Andre Simon, both experienced racers, were shocked by his appearance during early visits.
After recovering, Fangio vowed to never race while exhausted.
Alberto Ascari – 1955 Monaco Grand Prix
Alberto Ascari, Lancia D50
Photo by: Klemantaski Collection / Getty Images
Alberto Ascari, a man of strong superstitions, avoided racing on the 26th of the month, his father’s death anniversary, and would immediately turn back if he encountered a black cat. Beyond these quirks, Ascari was known as a steadfast perfectionist behind the wheel, exemplifying precision and consistency in an era often marked by reckless driving.
Disagreements over finances led Ascari to break from Ferrari, dedicating himself to Lancia’s new F1 venture. The D50, while innovative, was challenging to handle, delaying its debut. The car’s engine acted as a stressed chassis component.
Ascari struggled with heat during the January 1955 season opener in Buenos Aires, crashing out. However, his incident at the next round in Monaco was more notable.
In Monaco, the Mercedes cars of Fangio and Stirling Moss led, but when Fangio’s car encountered issues and Moss’s engine failed, Ascari took the lead. Before the race, drivers joked about the chicane, saying, “Whoever touches here, goes in the water.” Ascari sought wood to touch for luck.
Moss was close to lapping Ascari when his engine failed, leaving Ascari unaware of his lead as he approached the hairpin and entered the tunnel. The exact cause of Ascari’s crash remains debated. Some theorize he was distracted by the crowd, informed of the change by the track announcer.
Regardless, Ascari lost control at the chicane, plunging into the harbor and breaking his nose. He reportedly told Fangio later, “At least I can swim.”
Jim Clark – 1965 Race of Champions
Jim Clark, Lotus 33 Climax, leads Dan Gurney, Brabham BT11 Climax
Photo by: David Phipps / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Despite Clark’s talent, there is one instance of him making a mistake. In 1965, he won the world championship and the Indy 500, but he also had an incident in the non-championship Race of Champions at Brands Hatch.
Clark won the first heat against Dan Gurney’s Brabham. In the second heat, while battling Gurney, he slid wide at what is now Graham Hill Bend, putting a wheel on the grass and hitting an earth bank. His team-mate Mike Spence won.
Clark stated in his column in the Daily Telegraph that he was gauging Gurney’s Goodyears against his Dunlops but couldn’t explain the accident.
Jack Brabham – 1970 Monaco Grand Prix
Jack Brabham, Brabham BT33 Ford
Photo by: Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images
Despite Jack Brabham’s aggressive driving style, he rarely had incidents. Even an accident early in his career, Portugal 1959, occurred while lapping a slower driver.
Brabham blamed Mario de Araujo Cabral for the shunt that resulted in him hitting a telegraph pole and being thrown from his car. His other serious accidents were due to tire failures.
Brabham wanted to retire in 1969 and have Jochen Rindt as his lead driver, but Rindt went to Lotus for more money. Lotus’s new 72’s suspension was a mess at the 1970 opener, while Jack’s new BT33 was quick.
In Monaco, Rindt was unmotivated, even kicking a policeman. However, he found himself second with Brabham leading.
With three laps left, Brabham was held up by Jo Siffert. Now Jack could see Jochen in his mirrors. The Lotus was closing in.
On the last lap, Brabham had to lap Piers Courage and went off the racing line. He locked up and slid into the barrier.
Footage of the final lap shows those moments, including Rindt’s disbelief as he passed the scene to win.
