Google+ Jack Leslie F1: F1 Flashback - Memorable United States Grand Prix Moments

29 October 2014

F1 Flashback - Memorable United States Grand Prix Moments

The United States Grand Prix first appeared on the F1 calendar in 1959. Following eight races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it was removed from the schedule for the 2008 season. However, it returned five years later at a new home in Austin, Texas. 
© Scuderia Ferrari
Several other Formula 1 races have taken place in the country – including the United States Grand Prix West, the Dallas Grand Prix and the Caesars Palace Grand Prix. Here are just a few memorable moments from the sport’s many visits to the USA. 


United States Grand Prix Preview: http://bit.ly/1tcyW09

Recovery drive 


The 1986 Detroit Grand Prix was won in spectacular style by Ayrton Senna. The Brazilian started from pole position and recovered from a puncture, which dropped him to eighth, to take his fourth career victory. He eventually finished 30 seconds ahead of his nearest rivals Jacques Laffite and Alain Prost.

New kid on the block

The 1990 United States Grand Prix at the Phoenix street circuit was won by Senna, but all eyes were on Tyrrell's Jean Alesi, who was racing in his first full F1 season. The Frenchman started fourth, one place ahead of Senna, but took the lead into turn one.

He quickly established a comfortable lead, with Senna moving his way up to second place in the early stages. However, it took the Brazilian until lap 34 to catch up to Alesi. He tried a move at turn one but failed, before successfully finding a way through on the following tour.

Senna eventually went on to win the 1990 season opener by eight seconds, after backing off to conserve his engine. Alesi finished second, with Thierry Boutson in third.

A photo finish

The 2002 United States Grand Prix saw one of the closest finishes in F1 history take place. In a failed attempt to stage a dead heat at the line, Michael Schumacher lost the race victory to his team-mate Rubens Barrichello by 0.011 seconds.

A spectacular start 


The first lap of the 2006 United States Grand Prix – the penultimate F1 race to take place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – was packed full of drama, with two separate crashes taking place. As Felipe Massa entered turn one in the lead, Mark Webber collided with Christian Klien, with the latter then being hit by Franck Montagny. 

At the following corner, Juan Pablo Montoya nudged his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen into a spin. The Columbian then collided with Jenson Button, who was pushed into the path of Nick Heidfeld’s BMW Sauber. The wheel-to-wheel contact pitched Heidfeld into a barrel-roll. Scott Speed, at his home race, was also caught up in the chaos. 

Fortunately all of the drivers involved were okay. Schumacher went on to win the race from Massa, with only nine drivers being classified at the finish.

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