F1's most dramatic clashes between title rivals

Verstappen, Britain — Photo: © LAT Images

F1's most dramatic clashes between title rivals

Hamilton and Verstappen's crash will rumble on this year

Ewan Gale

Wednesday 21 July 2021 09:29

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3. Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg - Spain 2016

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Hamilton may be getting too close for comfort with Verstappen but it isn't the first time he has collided with a championship rival.

In 2016, after two years of tight tussles with team-mate and childhood friend Nico Rosberg, the rivalry exploded in dramatic fashion.

Rosberg led the Spanish GP through the first two corners, with Hamilton following in second, but the German began to de-rate through turn three, allowing the then three-time champion to close.

Spurred on, Hamilton went to the inside at turn four but Rosberg squeezed his him onto the grass. With no control, the British driver skidded into the side of Rosberg, taking both drivers out of the race.

If that wasn't enough, there would be further contact at the Austrian GP, where Rosberg would take a 'late' apex at turn three on the final lap, running into Hamilton and breaking his own front wing.

Whilst Hamilton refused to be drawn on blame in Barcelona, at the end of the race in Austria he clearly pointed a finger at Rosberg stating: "It wasn't me that crashed!"

After winning the title at the final race, Rosberg retired from the sport at the end of the season.

2. Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill - Australia 1994

Schumacher makes a second appearance on this list, this time with Villeneuve's former team-mate Hill.

The 1994 championship was controversial from start to finish, with Schumacher disqualified and banned for ignoring black flags at Silverstone, whilst he was also thrown out of the Belgian GP.

Despite this, he led the championship by a single point heading into the season finale at Adelaide.

In the race, the Benetton driver was ahead of rival Hill before a mistake at turn five put Schumacher into a wall.

Hill saw his chance to move ahead into championship-winning position as the stricken Schumacher opened the door at the next corner. The German, however, swung back across at the apex, almost rolling as the two tangled.

Hill's suspension was unfortunately broken in the incident, ensuring Schumacher would clinch the first of his seven world titles, albeit in one of the most notorious incidents in F1 history.

1. Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna - Japan 1989/90

"And it's happened immediately, this is amazing!"

There is only one clash between rivals that could ever be number one.

The origins of the famous coming together in 1990 hark back to a clash between Prost and Senna whilst team-mates with McLaren at the Japanese GP in 1989.

Prost was ahead in the standings going into the penultimate race, with Senna needing a positive result to take the title battle to a showdown.

When making a move at the final chicane, Senna was squeezed and the pair made contact. Prost was out of the race and whilst the Brazilian continued, he was later disqualified for cutting the track to rejoin.

Fast forward a season to the same circuit, Prost had moved to Ferrari in the wake of the fallout yet the pair were still the leading contenders for the championship.

After Senna qualified on pole, Prost knew he needed a positive result to take the battle to Australia.

There was controversy, however, as pole was given a grid slot on the dirty, right-hand side of the track. Senna was incensed and lobbied for the order to be swapped, only for his pleas to be dismissed.

Cue the race, and Prost stole a march down into turn one but Senna lunged, taking both drivers out. The incident is the most infamous in F1, coupled with a legendary commentary line.

Will Verstappen and Hamilton ultimately result in something similar?