Holy men who met their unholy ends
Back in the early days of Formula 1, to be a race-car driver was to have a death wish. Despite constant improvements in the safety of the cars and the tracks, many drivers continued to lose their lives for the sport they loved. Today’s ultra-light carbon fiber cars shatter at the slightest impact, but usually keep the driver relatively safe inside the "halo." But that's not to say there haven’t been a few nasty crashes in recent years.
Click through the following gallery to remember the worst crashes since the dawn of Formula 1.
The 2018 Belgian Grand Prix saw a spectacular crash when Fernando Alonso’s McLaren flipped and crashed onto Charles Leclerc.
Incredibly Leclerc walked away from the crash unscathed, despite the fact that the McLaren practically bounced off his head. It sparked debates about driver safety, and proved that the "halo" safety structure can save lives.
Swedish driver Marcus Ericsson flips over during a practice lap at the Italian Grand Prix in 2007.
Fernando Alonso was uninjured after a crash which totalled his McLaren at the 2016 Australian Grand Prix.
Lorenzo Bandini’s Ferrari was engulfed in flames in a fatal crash at the Monaco Grand Prix in 1967.
Brazilian legend Felipe Massa skids upside down after crashing at the 2014 German Grand Prix.
Polish driver Robert Kubica was left virtually unscathed after a terrifying crash at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2007. He went off-track and crashed into a barrier which sent him flying.
Michael Schumacher collides with Vitantonio Liuzzi at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
French Ferrari driver Gilles Villeneuve died after being thrown from his car in a crash at the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix.
During the second Monaco Grand Prix in 1950, a freak wave unexpectedly crashed over the harbor wall and onto the race track. Five cars lost traction and had to retire from the race. Luckily no one was injured on what would come to be the most dangerous track in Formula 1.
Ralf Schumacher flies through the air after clipping another car in the 2002 Australian Grand Prix.
Romain Grosjean escapes his flaming vehicle and leaps over the molten metal barrier after crashing in the F1 Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit.
Wolfgang von Trips was killed in a crash at the Italian Grand Prix in 1961. In the photo the car is about to crash into the crowd, killing 15 spectators.
Alex Wurz’s car flips over and rolls several times at the Canadian Grand Prix, 1998.
At the 1965 Monaco Grand Prix, Australian driver Paul Hawkins ended up in the harbor. His Lotus spun out and was flipped into the water, but luckily he escaped the sinking car.
Karl Wendlinger is lifted unconscious from his car after a serious crash at the 1994 Monaco Grand Prix.
Driver Roland Ratzenberger crashed during the qualifying round at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994. He later died of his injuries.
Later that same weekend, the race saw the tragic death of one of F1’s most beloved drivers, Ayrton Senna.
Lucien Bianchi miraculously walked away from the wreck of his car after a crash during the 1968 Dutch Grand Prix.
Marshalls clear the wreckage of Clay Regazzoni’s car which ended up wedged under the barrier after a serious crash at the Monaco Grand Prix, 1968.
In the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix, one car skidded out of control on the rain-slicked track and caused the 12 following cars to crash or spin out. The clean-up took an hour, and four cars were left out of action. Only eight drivers completed the race.
At the British Grand Prix in 1973 there was a nine-car pile up in the first lap. One driver received career-ending injuries.
Jules Bianchi is removed from his car after a serious crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. He sustained severe head injuries.
Tragically, Bianchi passed away after nine months from the same injuries. He is the most recent F1 driver to die as the result of an accident in a Grand Prix.
Driver Carlos Pace is seen being towed away in his wrecked car after a pile-up at the 1975 British Grand Prix. Terrible weather conditions caused almost every driver to spin out at some point, and the race was stopped early after 56 laps.
F1 legend Niki Lauda was left permanently scarred after a crash at the German Grand Prix in 1976. Drivers protested the dangerous weather conditions but the race went ahead. Lauda crashed into the embankment and his car burst into flames, nearly costing him his life.
In 1978, Ronnie Peterson suffered a fatal crash at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. His car burst into flames after a collision, but he was pulled from the wreck by fellow drivers. He received severe leg injuries but seemed stable. He died of an embolism the following morning.
In August of 1980, Alfa Romeo driver Patrick Depailler died on impact in an accident during a test run at Hockenheim.
Chaos ensued during the opening lap of the Austrian Grand Prix in 1987. Multiple cars ended up in a pile up after colliding while vying for position on the narrow track.
Both Ferraris crash into each other ending their run at the 2017 Singapore Grand Prix.
See also: It's a family affair: fathers and sons in Formula 1
These are the worst accidents in Formula 1 history
Crashing the world's fastest car is no joke
LIFESTYLE Sports
Back in the early days of Formula 1, to be a race-car driver was to have a death wish. Despite constant improvements in the safety of the cars and the tracks, many drivers continued to lose their lives for the sport they loved. Today’s ultra-light carbon fiber cars shatter at the slightest impact, but usually keep the driver relatively safe inside the "halo." But that's not to say there haven’t been a few nasty crashes in recent years.
Click through the following gallery to remember the worst crashes since the dawn of Formula 1.