Down to the Wire

CLASSIC LAST RACE DECIDERS

The 2012 World Championship will be decided at the final round in Brazil, but who will it be Sebastian Vettel, or Fernando Alonso. Whatever happens, it looks set to be an enthralling encounter. Here we look back at some of the most memorable title showdown's.

1976

Throughout the first half of 1976, it looked as though reigning World Champion, Niki Lauda would cruise to a second title. That was until the Austrian suffered a terrifying, near fatal, fiery crash at the Nurburgring. His resultant injuries looked set to end his season, if not his career but remarkably he only missed two races. Britain's James Hunt seized the opportunity to close the gap, two crucial victories for the Englishman meant that he was just three points behind Lauda as F1 headed to Japan for the first time.

Heavy rain on race day encouraged talks of abandoning the event but the race did start, to the frustration of some drivers, one of which was Lauda. The Austrian, withdrew from the race after two laps, feeling the conditions were too dangerous for racing. Having narrowly escaped with his life in Germany, he famously quoted "my life is worth more than a title."

Hunt looked set to claim the victory and win it all but the rain stopped towards the end of the race and the track began to dry, Hunt was now suffering problems with his tyres and made a pit stop which dropped him back to fifth, not enough if he was to win the title. So he set off on a charge and in the dying moments of the race, he passed Clay Regazzoni and Alan Jones to claw his way back up to third and become the 1976 World Champion.

1981



Three drivers went into the final round of the 1981 season in Las Vegas with a chance of clinching the championship. Argentine, Carlos Reutemann went into race with a one point lead over the Brazilian, Nelson Piquet. While Jacques Laffite's victory at the previous race in Canada meant that he still had a mathematical chance.

Carlos Reutemann's team mate, 1980 champion Alan Jones was due to retire after the race, and the Australian was not about to help his team mate win the title after a season of conflict between the pair. Jones led away from pole position whilst Reutemann quickly dropped backwards through the field, his gearbox giving him problems. Laffite was running 6th which wasn't enough for the Frenchman. That left, Piquet favourite for the championship but the oppressive conditions left the Brazilian battling severe exhaustion in the cockpit. With Reutemann now down in 8th and out of the points, Piquet bravely soldiered on and finished 5th to win the championship by just one point.

1984



1984 had been a year of McLaren domination, but the two drivers were allowed to fairly battle each other for the World Championship. Alain Prost was clearly the faster of the two, but the experienced two-time champion Niki Lauda relied on superb racecraft and tactics to consistently score points and take any advantage he could when Prost ran into problems. Lauda qualified down in 11th place for the deciding round in Portugal while Prost looked comfortable in 2nd. The Frenchman took control of the race from the front, but Lauda meant business and fought through the field. The Austrian kept his concentration up to avoid overdriving and climbed up to 3rd. With 18 laps remaining, Nigel Mansell suffered brake failure on his Lotus and Lauda was promoted to second and on course for his third title. Lauda could not catch Prost on track, but he didn't need to and promptly turned down his turbo boost to conserve his car. Prost took his seventh win of the year, but Lauda crossed the line in 2nd to win the championship by just half a point, the closest margin in history.

 1986

Perhaps the most exciting Grand Prix season in history, the 1986 championship would be settled at the last race in Adelaide, Australia. Three men were in the running for the coveted prize; Nigel Mansell was the favourite, 6 points ahead of 1985 champion Alain Prost, and 7 ahead of his Williams team mate, double World Champion, Nelson Piquet.

Mansell started on pole position but the Englishman made a poor start and lost the lead to Ayrton Senna, by the end of the lap he had fallen behind Nelson Piquet and Keke Rosberg. A spin from Piquet on lap 23 elevated Mansell to second, but the Brazilian pitted and quickly fought back up the field eventually re-taking Mansell, while Prost was closing on them both. Keke Rosberg's retirement gave the lead to Piquet, Prost overtook Mansell but third place would still be enough to see him become the first British champion for 10 years.

Until on lap 64, Mansell's left rear tyre and his World Championship hopes blew. He avoided hitting anything as he coasted to a halt but his dream was shattered. Fearing a similar failure on Piquet's car, Williams called the Brazilian in for a pit stop, handing the lead to Prost. The Frenchman took the chequered flag, the victory and the 1986 World Championship.



1994

A season marred by tragedy and controversy would conclude with two drivers battling for the championship, Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill. Schumacher had looked unstoppable in the first half of the season, taking 6 wins from the first 7 races. But a two-race suspension for ignoring a black flag at the British Grand Prix, which was won by Hill, allowed the Englishman to close the deficit to the German, with vital wins in Italy and Portugal during Schumacher's absence. A memorable victory in a rain-filled Japanese Grand Prix meant that Hill would take the fight to Australia, Schumacher was on 92 points to Hill's 91.

Schumacher and Hill got ahead of polesitter Nigel Mansell at the start and both quickly pulled away from the rest of the field. The pair were nose-to-tail up to and after their first pit stop, but lap 36 triggered the conclusion to the 1994 World Championship. Schumacher made an error, ran wide and touched the wall, damaging his suspension. Hill, having just negotiated a backmarker and unaware that Schumacher's car was compromised, saw an opportunity to get ahead and the two collided (see main picture above). Schumacher was out instantly, while Hill managed to get back to the pits, sadly for Hill his Williams had not just sustained a punctured tyre but had damaged the front wishbone. Schumacher became Germany's first ever Formula One World Champion in contentious circumstances.

1997

Three years later and Schumacher found himself 1 point ahead of his championship rival going into the last race; this time it was Jacques Villeneuve, the venue was Jerez, Spain.

Qualifying produced an extraordinary result, Villeneuve, Schumacher and the Canadian's team mate Heinz-Harald Frentzen all set the same time, only seperated by the order in which they did so. Thus Villeneuve was on pole, but Schumacher and Frentzen passed him at the start. Frentzen let his team mate by but Schumacher was now 4 seconds ahead. The order was unchanged after the first stops, but by then Villeneuve had closed the gap to the German. Then on lap 48, with Schumacher lapping slower, Villeneuve made his move into the Dry Sac corner. Schumacher saw him coming and turned in on the Williams, hitting him. The Ferrari came off worse as Schumacher slid into the gravel trap and was out of the race. Villeneuve continued but damage to his car eroded his lead. On the final lap, only five seconds covered the top six, Villeneuve still led but the two McLaren's of Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard were snapping at his heels. Villeneuve let both McLaren's pass him through the final corners, 4 points for third were enough to give him the 1997 title, as Hakkinen won his first Grand Prix. As for Schumacher, he had not only severely damaged his reputation, but was excluded from the results of the '97 championship.

1998



Following that maiden victory, Mika Hakkinen's career suddenly took off. The speed of the 1998 McLaren was electrifying at the start of the year. Furthermore, Michael Schumacher improved his image as he fought back, despite a slower car, the pressure led to mistakes by Hakkinen and McLaren. An inspired drive by the Finn at the Nurburgring however gave him a 4 point advantage as they went to Japan.

Schumacher took pole position but the first start was aborted due to Jarno Trulli stalling his Prost, as the second formation lap was about to get underway, Schumacher suddenly raised his arm, he had stalled and was sent to the back of the grid. The German vigorously clawed his way back up to third place, just after he passed the wreckage of Toranosuke Takagi's Tyrrell and Esteban Tuero's Minardi, Schumacher's tyre exploded on the start/finish straight. The 1998 World Championship was over, and it was Mika Hakkinen who took the glory.

2007

For the first time in 21 years, three drivers went into the last race of 2007 with a chance of winning the championship. McLaren's rookie sensation had topped the standings since the Spanish Grand Prix in May, and at the penultimate race in China, he had the chance to clinch the crown at his first ever attempt. Instead he opened it right up as the slippery conditions saw him beach his car in the gravel trap on the entrance to the pit lane. Raikkonen won and Hamilton's team mate Fernando Alonso finished second, ensuring a titanic battle would take place in Brazil.

Hamilton still led the table on 107 points, with Alonso on 103 and Raikkonen on 100. The Brit qualified highest of the championship contenders in 2nd place, but Raikkonen and Alonso got ahead of him after the first three corners. Hamilton was eager to get back ahead but he outbraked himself, ran wide and dropped to 8th. It wasn't long before he was back in 6th and in a position to win the title, but then a gearbox glitch caused the McLaren to coast. Somehow, the system reset itself and Hamilton continued but he fallen all the way down to 18th place.

So the order was Felipe Massa leading, from Raikkonen second and Alonso third. That result would mean Alonso would take a third consecutive title. Hamilton was not ready to admit defeat and was sithing his way through the field. After the final round of stops, Raikkonen took the lead from Massa and with Hamilton in 8th, the Finn would become champion. Hamilton took 7th when Jarno Trulli made his final stop, but that was as far as he would go. Raikkonen became the third Finnish champion, after coming close in 2003 and 2005, he had finally achieved it.

2008

12 months after the heartbreak of Brazil '07, Lewis Hamilton again arrived at the final round in Sao Paulo at the top of the standings. This time his rival was Felipe Massa, who had the home advantage, but was 7 points behind the Englishman. 

Massa took pole position and led comfortably after the start was delayed due to rain. Hamilton spent most of the race in 4th position which would be enough to seal the title, but when the rain began to fall again on lap 63, pit stops for intermediate tyres beckoned. Hamilton's new tyres were slow to get up to optimum temperature and with just two laps to go and having already dropped back to 5th, ran wide, he was passed by Sebastian Vettel and sixth place would hand the title to Massa by virtue of more race victories. It looked as though lightning had struck twice and Hamilton had fallen at the final hurdle yet again. But in the last corner of the race, both Vettel and Hamilton overtook a slow Timo Glock, Massa had already crossed the line to win the race, the Ferrari team and the Brazilian crowd were convinced he was the new champion. Until Hamilton came past the chequered flag in 5th place, stealing the crown for himself. It was probably the most nail-biting end to a season.

The many faces of the United States Grand Prix

 

FORMULA ONE'S TRANSATLANTIC ADVENTURES

As Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso saluted the crowd on the podium of the inaugural United States Grand Prix held in Austin, Texas, Formula One had made a successful return to American soil. The Circuit of the Americas is the first purpose built F1 circuit in the US and the new home of the sport in America produced a thrilling race. Furthermore, it can be said it is about time Formula One found its own place in the States, as the race has been nomadic over the course of the sports history.

SEBRING

Australian ace Jack Brabham secured the first of his three
World Championships at Sebring in 1959

The first United States Grand Prix to be included on the official calendar was held at the Sebring International Raceway in Florida, most famous for hosting the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring Sports Car endurance race. In 1959 it was the scene of the championship showdown between Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks. Moss's hopes ended early when the transmission on his Cooper failed. Brooks came home third but this was not enough; Jack Brabham, despite running out of fuel pushed his car past the chequered flag to snatch the title, the first for him, an Australian driver and a rear-engined Formula One car. Another record was written in to the books as New Zealander, Bruce McLaren became the youngest F1 winner at the age 22 years, 104 days. While the race itself at Sebring had been a cracker, commercially it was a disaster and the promoters barely broke even. Moreover, the attendance was mediocre, being half that of the Sebring 12 Hour race, F1 would move on for 1960.

RIVERSIDE

Riverside, California hosted the second US Grand Prix in 1960,
the next year it would be at another venue.

It moved transcontinental to Riverside, California the following year. But the event was no more successful than Sebring had been, with a lack of promotion and a small crowd of 25,000. Stirling Moss put in a flawless performance in a privately entered Lotus, winning the race from pole position, his team mate Innes Ireland followed him home in second. But Formula One was on the hunt for a new home in the US again.

WATKINS GLEN

America's greatest ever racing driver made his debut at America's
most successful F1 venue in 1968

In 1961, Formula One raced for the first time at Watkins Glen in Upstate New York. Third time lucky for the organisers as "The Glen" became one of Formula One's most popular venues on the calendar. Watkins Glen was chosen after plans to host the event at the Daytona International Speedway fell through. In stark contrast to Sebring and Riverside, the Grand Prix was well attended with a crowd of 60,000 and it resulted in a tidy profit. The Grand Prix Driver's Association awarded Watkins Glen the best organised race of the season in 1965, 1970 and 1971. The Glen played host to some memorable moments during its reign as the US Grand Prix venue, such as the incredible debut of one Mario Andretti in 1968, the Italian-born American driver qualifying his Lotus on pole position for his first race. But it also brought sadness with the deaths of Francois Cevert in 1973, and Helmuth Koinigg in 1974. Ultimately this drew concerns over safety, and in 1980, Jean-Pierre Jabouille crashed heavily breaking both his legs. That year was the last time that F1 would race at the circuit, a shame for the loyal crowds after 19 years.

LONG BEACH

Long Beach was always a pleasant place for the F1 fraternity,
but in 1984 Indy Cars moved in 

While F1 was still being held at Watkins Glen, a second race in the US arrived on the scene in 1976. Englishman, Chris Pook had the idea that a race through the streets of Long Beach, California would put the town on the map, very astute of him as the plan worked. The United States Grand Prix West as it was known was popular, unlike most American street circuits which will be shown below, Long Beach was not built on the grid system, meaning the circuit was not a constant stream of 90-degree turns, this allowed for a flowing circuit producing good racing. Historic moments at the circuit included Mario Andretti's first F1 victory in the US in 1977, the first ever victory for Nelson Piquet in 1980, Niki Lauda's win in 1982 just three races after his comeback and the most spectacular of all, John Watson's sensational drive from 22nd on the grid to win the race in 1983. The latter was the final time Long Beach would play host to a Formula One event, as the circuit became part of the Indy Car World Series in 1984. 

 LAS VEGAS

Alan Jones leads the field en route to his final Grand Prix
victory in Las Vegas in 1981

After the demise of Watkins Glen, Formula One went from the sublime to the ridiculous in 1981. Caesars Palace car park hosted the final round of the season in '81 and '82. The glitz and glamour of Las Vegas was seen as a perfect opportunity for F1, though some cynics claimed it was a great publicity stunt to rid the city its image of Mafia connections. The pit lane was very small with no garage facilities, though the track surface drew some acclaim for its billiard table like smoothness. But the twisty anti-clockwise circuit played havoc with the driver's necks, furthermore the desert sun of Las Vegas took its toll, not just on the drivers but also the spectators, it was hardly surprising that the event drew the smallest attendances of the year. The Caesars Palace Grand Prix decided the championship in 1981 and 1982. Nelson Piquet infamously overcame exhaustion to clinch the '81 title, while Keke Rosberg drove sensibly in 1982 to win the coveted crown. No-one was sad to see Las Vegas disappear from the calendar.

DETROIT

Detroit was not a favourite amongst the drivers
due to the bumpy surface

In 1982, the United States became the first country to host three Formula One races in one season. Along with Long Beach and Las Vegas, F1 came to the "Motor City" but not without problems, the circuit was not ready by the time the first practice session was due to get underway, which was subsequently postponed. The race itself was memorable for John Watson's charge from 17th on the grid to victory. Other notable Detroit moments include the final victory for Tyrrell in 1983, and Ayrton Senna taking the final victory for the classic Team Lotus in 1987. Detroit was notoriously bumpy, drawing many complaints from drivers and overtaking was nigh on impossible. F1 made its last visit to Detroit in 1988, but the sport was still not finished with American street circuits.

DALLAS

To the delight of F1 drivers, teams and fans,
1984 was the first and last time Dallas hosted a Grand Prix

With the loss of Long Beach, Bernie Ecclestone began searching for another race in America. Even before the demise of the aforementioned Californian venue, a Grand Prix in New York was announced for 1983 but nothing came of it. Ecclestone took the Grand Prix circus south to Dallas for 1984. The July weather in the Texan city was excruciatingly hot, the mercury soaring past 100 degrees. Worse still was the circuit, which was a mess, as the surface broke up, hasty repairs didn't set. Despite talks of a boycott, the race went on with Larry Hagman waving the green flag, many drivers ended the race in the concrete walls. Keke Rosberg soldiered on to win but it was Nigel Mansell's efforts to push his stricken Lotus across the line in the heat which was the main talking point. The dropping of Dallas from the calendar after the farce surprised nobody.
 

PHOENIX

The emergence of Jean Alesi occurred at the extremely bland
Phoenix Street Circuit in 1990

Initially it looked as though Formula One would stay in Detroit beyond 1988, with a Grand Prix in Belle Isle Park but no agreement was made. Laguna Seca was also on the shortlist of candidates but was thought to be too small and remote for F1, pity considering that is a permanent road circuit. So instead, F1 headed to the streets of Phoenix, Arizona in 1989. The first race held there took place in June, a time of year which in Phoenix, as was the case with Dallas, temperatures regularly reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which did not tempt many of the locals out of their air-conditioned homes. To give the organisers credit, there was no problem with the organisation and the track itself was not as bumpy as Detroit, making it more tolerable from a drivers perspective, it was also more open but almost every corner was a right angle bend, providing the circuit with next to no character. For 1990, to avoid the desert heat, the race was moved to March and the opening race of the season, it was in this race that Jean Alesi in an inferior Tyrrell memorably fought with Ayrton Senna for the lead. The final race in Phoenix was in 1991 where only 18,500 spectators attended the event, it is believed that more people attended an ostrich race held in the area on the same day. If that was the case, it was a smart idea not to race in Phoenix again. Why F1 persisted in rotating venues among temporary street circuits, when a demanding 4-mile road course at Road America, Wisconsin would have been a greater spectacle, is a mystery.

INDIANAPOLIS

Indianapolis seemed like a brilliant idea, but the 2005
fiasco is undoubtedly the most infamous moment of F1's time
at the Speedway

After a 9-year absence, Formula One returned to the United States at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The banked final corner and the start-finish straight was used from the 2.5 mile oval while a purpose built in-field section was created for the Formula One cars, although a twisty final sector took some of the shine away from the high speed image. The first race in 2000 was a phenomenal success, drawing a record attendance of over 250,000 fans. 2001 was also notable for being the first international sporting event held in the USA after the September 11 attacks. Indianapolis was no stranger to controversy either, 2002 saw a clumsy, staged attempt at a dead heat by Michael Schumacher, with his team mate Rubens Barrichello pipping him to victory by 0.011 of a second. Then came 2005, and one of the most shocking moments in F1 history. Concerns over the safety of the Michelin tyres led to the teams who used them withdrawing from the race after the formation lap, leaving the six cars who ran Bridgestone tyres to lead a 73 lap procession. The calamity led to questions regarding whether a United States Grand Prix would be held in Indianapolis again, fortunately the 2006 and 2007 races were problem free but expensive fees led to the race been dropped after the latter. Ultimately, Formula One finally returned to the United States in 2012.