xpb Helpers of the Formula 1 champions
12.11.2010
V before the season finale in Abu Dhabi, an issue is almost becoming as hotly debated as the world championship question: Does Sebastian Vettel have to help his teammate Mark Webber or not? Will there even be a constellation where help makes sense? For this, the Red Bull drivers would have to be in first and second place and Fernando Alonso would have to be third or fourth.
Collins helps Fangio to the title
If Sebastian Vettel becomes the kingmaker, he would have famous predecessors. The first aid in Formula 1 history was also the most famous. At the 1956 finale in Monza, only Ferrari drivers Juan-Manuel Fangio and Peter Collins could become world champions. Fangio was already out. Collins could have caught the Argentine with a victory at the Italian GP in the overall standings. Back then, drivers were allowed to switch from one car to another. However, points gained had to be shared among the pilots involved. Eugenio Castellotti turned down Fangio's request for a second chance. Peter Collins, on the other hand, stopped and left his Ferrari to Fangio, giving away all chances of becoming world champion himself.
In the end, both shared second place in the race and each received three championship points for it. The English gentleman later said: 'I'm still young and still have a lot of chances to win the title. Fangio is already 45 years old.' Fate did not keep a record of the noble deed. Two years later, Collins had a fatal accident at the Nürburgring. He never became world champion.
Moss relieves competitor Hawthorn
In 1958 there was a completely different kind of support, but no less athletic. The last race in Casablanca was between Mike Hawthorn and Stirling Moss for the crown. The title went to Hawthorn by one point. The fastest lap at the GP Marrokko brought the Ferrari driver the decisive point. But there was a protest against Hawthorn after the race. If the English had been excluded, the crown would have gone to the eternal second Moss. Vanwall driver Moss was an eyewitness to the controversial scene and relieved his rival at the race control. The result was permanent and the title belonged to Ferrari and Hawthorn.
McLaren wins for Brabham
A year later, Jack Brabham won the first of his three world titles. The Sebring finale was dramatic. Brabham's rival Tony Brooks was definitely not allowed to win. TheEnglish dentist was behind Brabham when the Australian ran out of fuel 800 meters from the finish line. Brabham began to push his car towards the finish line. His young Cooper teammate Bruce McLaren wanted to stop so as not to steal important points from the chief pilot. But McLaren had calculated wrongly. He was able to prevent Brooks from moving up one place with a win. Brabham knew and sent McLaren on. The New Zealander won, Brooks was third, Brabham fourth, and the World Cup trophy went to an Australian for the first time.
Bandini kills Hill
1964 happened in Mexico- City something that caused a similar outcry as Ferrari's stable control in Hockenheim. Ferrari's number one John Surtees fought for the title with Graham Hill and Jim Clark. Clark fell out. There was only Hill and Surtees left. The second Ferrari driver Lorenzo Bandini helped a little. The Italian drove Graham Hill into the rear of his B.R.M. in a hairpin. Hill fell out of the points. John Surtees finished second, which was enough to win the title.
Brabham lets Hulme do it
In 1967, two Brabham drivers still had a chance of the World Championship in the final in Mexico. The boss Jack Brabham and his employee Denis Hulme. Brabham could have given the New Zealander inferior material or the order to hold back, but he let Hulme have it. Second place in front of Hulme was not enough for Brabham to catch his colleague in the fight for the world championship crown.
Fittipaldi posthumously makes Rindt champion
In 1970 Emerson Fittipaldi helped a dead man . Jochen Rindt, who fell to death in Monza, led the title hunt with 45 points. Jacky Ickx could have caught him with three wins. Part one of the mission succeeded. The Ferrari driver won in Canada. Then came the US GP in Watkins-Glen. After the tragedy in Monza, Lotus relied on the largely unknown newcomers Emerson Fittipaldi and Reine Wisell. Fittipaldi won the Grand Prix on his fourth outing and made Rindt posthumously world champion.
Peterson refrains from overtaking
Ronnie Peterson had a number in 1978 at Lotus signed two contract. The Swede was not allowed to overtake his colleague Mario Andretti, unless the chief pilot had a visible technical problem. On one occasion Andretti had to resort to Peterson's help. In Zandvoort, the Italian-American broke his exhaust in the final phase. Peterson widened and widened himself in the rearview mirror, but kept his promise and did not overtake. With a win he could have seriously challenged Andretti for the crown.
Peterson's loyalty was particularly noble because the Swede already knew by then that he would leave Lotus in 1979. He had signed a contract with McLaren. Fate wanted it different. A race later it wasPeterson in a starting collision in Monza and seriously injured. He died a day later of complications from a pulmonary embolism. Andretti became a sad world champion without a fight.
Villeneuve lets Scheckter and Ferrari fans cheer
A year later, Ferrari wanted to secure the world title in Monza, which was within reach. Gilles Villeneuve was the faster man in the Autodrom, but his teammate Jody Scheckter was reaching for the stars. Villeneuve could easily have overtaken Ferrari's World Cup candidate, but stayed behind Scheckter on the orders of the team and shaded him to the checkered flag. It was the last time that Ferrari could celebrate a World Championship win on the doorstep in Monza.
Schumacher as a noble helper for Irvine
Only 20 years later did a driver come again embarrassed to have to help his stable mate. After Michael Schumacher broke his leg at Silverstone in 1999, Ferrari had to put all cards on Eddie Irvine. In the penultimate race in Malaysia, the teamwork worked perfectly. Schumacher drove in the service of his former water carrier and helped him win against McLaren drivers Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard. A race later in Suzuka the same was planned. But this time Häkkinen was too quick. For Schumacher and for Irvine. The German series world champion crossed the finish line before Irvine and later said: 'Eddie was so slow that I couldn't wait for him.' Since Häkkinen won, a swap would have been of no use anyway.
Barrichello wins for Schumi
In 2003 Rubens Barrichello played the savior for Schumacher. The way the race ended, Schumacher no longer needed the man decker service, but world championship number six hung by a thread until the last lap. The starting position before the season finale was simple: Schumacher becomes world champion if he scores at least one point. If he stayed pointless, Kimi Raikkonen could at least not win. Part two prevented Schumacher's teammate Barrichello with a win. Schumacher contributed the rest himself. He got a world championship point in a turbulent race. But that was only clear when we crossed the finish line.
Massa waives a home win for Raikkonen
2007 Felipe Massa made the most difficult waiver that a racing driver can ask for. He gave his victory at the home race in Interlagos in the service of the cause to teammate Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn had to win to catch Lewis Hamilton. Massa gave first place in front of his audience, hoping Ferrari would compensate him for it on another occasion.
Raikkonen pays back
The moment came a year later. This time Massa needed to win the final, which again took place in Sao Paulo. And it was Raikkonen who had to make way. When Ferrari radioed the Finn during the race with the words: 'Felipe isbehind you ', Kimi replied dryly:' Do you think I can't count? I know what I have to do. 'As with Schumacher's help in 1999, Raikkonen's gesture was not crowned with success. Although Massa won the race, he lost the title to Lewis Hamilton.
Will Massa be the kingmaker again?
Felipe Massa could crown a world champion in his own team for the second time in 2010. He doesn't need to do much in Abu Dhabi because Fernando Alonso is in such impressive shape that he can help himself Massa already did his part at Hockenheim. When the team ordered, he let his colleagues pass to win. If it turns into a world title in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari will pay him a fine of 100,000 dollars.
