Top 5 unsportsmanlike moments in Formula One

Formula 1 has a long history. The championship has existed for over 70 years with the best drivers in the world. However, sometimes the best drivers in the world can push things too far, crossing the line of sportsmanship.

F1 drivers are some of the biggest athletes in the world with their salaries proving this claim. However, there have been some controversial incidents that engulf the sport. The high adrenaline inside the cockpit could lead to some rather extreme situations. Most recently, during the 2023 season, Lance Stroll pushed his trainer in the Aston Martin garage and was criticized heavily for this action.

In the past, even four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has been alleged to have breached sportsmanship during the 2017 Azerbaijan GP. When the German driver purposely slammed into Lewis Hamilton. F1 drivers are role models for millions of fans across the world. Subsequently, such incidents tarnish the reputation of the sport in the eyes of its viewers.

Unfortunately, Formula 1 has witnessed even worse moments of unsportsmanship in the past, including world champions such as Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher. This article delves into the Top 5 unsportsmanlike moments in Formula One.

5. Fernando Alonso blocks Lewis Hamilton – 2005 Hungarian GP

McLaren had one of the strongest pairings in 2007 including reigning world champion Fernando Alonso and a rookie Lewis Hamilton. However, Alonso had severely underestimated the British driver, claiming that McLaren would lose the teams’ title. Hamilton managed to be on the pace of his world-champion teammate from the get-go. This led to rising tensions in the team with the Spaniard accusing Ron Dennis of favoring the debutant.

During the 2005 Hungarian GP Qualifying, things reached a new low. Fernando Alonso pitted for a new set of tires for his final run ahead of Hamilton. However, the two-time world champion blocked Lewis Hamilton in the pits. This forced the British driver to abandon his final run in the session and gave Alonso an unfair advantage for race day.

Ultimately, McLaren’s relationship soured with Fernando Alonso by the end of 2007. The Spanish driver decided to head back to Renault after just a single season for the Woking-based team. Perhaps, Alonso felt threatened by Hamilton as his teammate and resorted to such a dirty tactic against the rookie driver.

4. Max Verstappen punches Esteban Ocon – 2018 Brazilian GP

Max Verstappen had established himself as one of the most exciting young talents by the 2018 F1 season. The Dutch driver was set to have a decent weekend at Interlagos that year after storming to the race lead. The three-time world champion was comfortably in the lead of the race when Esteban Ocon tried to unlap himself.

Ocon went on the outside of the Red Bull into turn 1 with the two drivers going wheel-to-wheel on the second corner. However, disaster struck, as the Racing Point Force India driver collided with Max Verstappen. Both drivers spun off track with Lewis Hamilton inheriting the lead and ultimately winning the race.

Verstappen was furious after the incident and immediately confronted Ocon in Parc Ferme. The 26-year-old did not hold back as he punched Esteban Ocon during live broadcast. Max Verstappen faced heavy criticism for this unsportsmanlike action. The Red Bull driver was penalized with two days of public service for this deliberate endeavor.

3. Michael Schumacher confronts David Coulthard – 1998 Belgium GP

The 1998 Belgian Grand Prix was one of the most challenging races of its time. The treacherous conditions led to a severe lack of visibility. However, title contenders Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen had to give their everything in order to have the upper hand on their counterparts. Schumacher was trailing the Finnish driver by seven points.

David Coulthard was having a nightmare of a race with two major collisions. Subsequently, the Briton was in last place when race leader Michael Schumacher came to lap the McLaren. Ferrari’s Jean Todt had gone to the McLaren pit wall to ensure that Coulthard would not obstruct the German driver. However, things did not go as planned for both drivers.

Michael Schumacher inched closer to Coulthard right when the McLaren pulled off the racing line. This led to a massive high-speed collision with Schumacher losing the front right tire and the nose of his Ferrari. While David Coulthard rear wing was destroyed.

An enraged Schumacher stormed off to the McLaren garage. The German driver was prepared to have a tussle with Coulthard. However, team members from both Ferrari and McLaren ensured that no physical action took place. After an exchange of stares and a few words, Michael Schumacher returned to the Ferrari garage. David Coulthard recently labeled Schumacher as ruthless and cold.

2. Michael Schumacher allegedly cheats against Damon Hill – Australian GP 1994

After the tragic death of Ayrton Senna at the 1994 San Marino GP, Damon Hill had become the sole contender against Michael Schumacher for the championship. The two drivers battled it out throughout the season to gain an advantage over the other. Heading into the final race of the season at the Australian GP, Schumacher was just one point ahead of the Williams driver.

Michael Schumacher had taken the lead of the race from Nigel Mansell at the race start. Hill had managed to get close behind the Benetton in second place. However, the German driver lost control and brushed off the wall on Lap 36, opening an opportunity for Damon Hill.

Hill tried to make a move on Schumacher down the inside when the German turned in on the Williams. This move seemed to backfire on Michael Schumacher as his Benetton went straight into the barriers. While Damon Hill managed to continue in his Williams. However, the British driver’s front left suspension had suffered massive damage which forced him out of the race.

Subsequently, Michael Schumacher won his maiden F1 title despite the controversial incident. Fans blamed the German for allegedly cheating. Although, race control deemed it a racing incident. Nevertheless, the Benetton driver would be accused of cheating in similar fashion just three years later.

1. Michael Schumacher allegedly cheats against Jacques Villeneuve – 1997 European GP

In 1997, Michael Schumacher found himself in a similar situation. The now-Ferrari driver was leading the championship from Jacques Villeneuve in the Williams by just a single point before the season finale in Jerez. As such, Schumacher simply needed to finish in front of the Canadian driver to win the world championship.

The championship fight was getting tight as Villeneuve, Schumacher, and Heinz-Harald Frentzen put in the exact same lap times during Qualifying. The Canadian driver clinched pole position as he was the first to put in the lap. However, Michael Schumacher managed to take the lead from the Williams driver.

On lap 48, Jacques Villeneuve tried to make a move down the inside of Schumacher. The German driver decided to turn into the Williams just like he had done three years ago. However, things did not go as planned as Michael Schumacher found himself stuck in the gravel trap. While Villeneuve continued to race without any major damage.

Ultimately, the Williams driver emerged victorious and clinched the 1997 championship. Schumacher was blamed for the deliberate incident and was stripped of all his points from the year’s standings. Certainly, the German driver had tarnished his reputation amongst fans.

In case you missed it:

• Five times Lewis Hamilton humiliated rivals with his superior race crafts
• Top 5 most outrageous comments made by Ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone

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