Google+ Jack Leslie F1: F1 Flashback - Records broken in Monaco

19 May 2015

F1 Flashback - Records broken in Monaco

The 1996 Monaco Grand Prix was a record-breaking race, with just three drivers finishing it.
© Williams Martini Racing/LAT
The event took place in wet conditions and was won by Olivier Panis, driving for Ligier. It would be the Frenchman's only victory in Formula 1.

Qualifying saw Michael Schumacher storm to pole position for Ferrari with a 1:20.356, ahead of Damon Hill, Jean Alesi, Gerhard Berger and McLaren's David Coulthard. Panis lined up on the grid down in 14th place.

It was Hill who led the field into Turn 1 on the opening lap, after moving ahead of Schumacher off the line. Conditions were tricky after earlier rain. Jos Verstappen opted to start on slick tyres and went straight into the barrier, with the two Minardi drivers also failing to pass Saint Devote after tangling.

Schumacher then exited the race at Turn 7 after sliding into the wall as he attempted to close in on Hill. The Williams driver had a clear lead of over four seconds after the opening tour of the Circuit de Monaco, with Alesi and Berger chasing.

The leading three quickly dropped Irvine's Ferrari, with a queue of cars quickly forming behind the Irishman. By the fifth lap, there were just 13 cars circulating after accidents and reliability problems. A frustrated Heinz-Harald Frenzten damaged his front wing trying to overtaking Irvine, just after Berger retired with gearbox woes.

Out front, Hill had a commanding lead, only losing it briefly when he pitted for dry tyres on lap 28. He quickly passed the Frenchman and returned to the front of the field. Martin Brundle spun off shortly after, with Panis moving ahead of Irvine for third with a forceful move at the hairpin.

Hill lost what had looked set to be a clear win on the 40th tour, exiting the race after engine failure coming out of the tunnel, gifting Alesi first place. However, 20 laps later the Benetton driver's suspension failed, with Panis moving to the front of the field.

The two hour limit meant the race did not reach full distance, with Panis taking his first F1 victory by five seconds from Coulthard. Johnny Herbert was third for Sauber and Frenzten finished fourth. He was the final driver left circulating, but was one lap down, meaning just three drivers took the chequered flag. 

Mika Salo, Mika Hakkinen and Irvine were all classified despite retiring from the race after a pile-up at Turn 7. Irvine spun and as he attempted to return to the race, he was collected by the Tyrrell and McLaren. 

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