WATCH: “You tried to fu**ing kill me,” a furious Michael Schumacher attacked David Coulthard for brake-checking him in a rain-soaked 1998 Belgium GP

The 1998 Formula 1 race at Spa is regarded as one of the most dramatic in the sport’s history. The chaos began immediately as the lights went out, with David Coulthard’s poor start resulting in him crashing into a wall at the first corner. This incident set off a massive pile-up involving multiple cars, making it one of the most significant first-lap collisions ever witnessed in F1.

Following the restart, Mika Hakkinen, who had started from the pole position, spun at the first corner while fending off his championship rival Michael Schumacher and Johnny Herbert’s Sauber. Unfortunately, Herbert’s spin caused him to collide with Hakkinen’s McLaren, prematurely ending the Finn’s race. Despite the early turmoil, the race carried on, and Schumacher then began to build a commanding lead, seemingly heading towards a dominant victory.

However, his race turned unexpectedly when he approached a much slower Coulthard, who was being lapped. David Coulthard unexpectedly slowed down on the racing line. With his vision impaired by thick spray, Michael Schumacher crashed into the back of Coulthard, causing significant damage to both cars. Schumacher’s Ferrari lost a front wheel, while Coulthard’s McLaren had its rear wing ripped off. The collision abruptly ended their races.

The unfolding drama did not stop after the collision. Once both drivers managed to make their way back to the pits, an enraged Michael Schumacher swiftly exited his car and made his way toward the McLaren garage with a fiery determination. Schumacher confronted David Coulthard, unleashing a furious tirade, shouting, “You tried to f****** kill me!” , as he attempted to square up with the Scott.

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David Coulthard slammed Michael Schumacher’s behavior in the pitlane but admitted his mistake

As the events unfolded, Michael Schumacher’s attempts to reach David Coulthard were prevented by mechanics from both teams, who swiftly intervened, creating a physical barrier between the two drivers. Recognizing the escalating tension and the need to diffuse the situation, mechanics from both Ferrari and McLaren stepped in to prevent any further confrontation.

Later on, Coulthard slammed Schumacher’s behavior. Speaking to the media, he said, “He came into the garage saying that I tried to kill him. I find his behavior totally unacceptable. If he wanted to discuss it, man to man, there wouldn’t have been a problem. If he wants to accuse me of things like that then I have no interest in talking to him. The allegations he made were untrue. “

As the years passed, however, Coulthard admitted his potentially fatal mistake at Spa. He said, “I should not have lifted on the racing line, because clearly he could not see me, but in the moment, when I was told he was lapping me, I just wanted to let the leader go. I knew he was angry. His neck was red and his eyes were out on stalks and obviously the team kept us apart.“

Thus, the moment’s intensity captured the raw emotions and high stakes involved in the incident, leaving an indelible mark on the memory of that eventful day at Spa in 1998.

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